Pioneers fall short of London in high-scoring battle
Jonathan Alder went down to the wire against an undefeated London team, falling 57-48.
“It stings — I hurt for our guys because I know we worked and fought,” JA coach Nathan Snedeker said. “London is one of the best football teams in Central Ohio.”
People expected a fierce battle and certainly got one.
Jonathan Alder’s Cameron Jewell (2) sprints past the first wave of London defenders before marching his way into the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
(Photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
The rivalry game saw both offenses combine for more than 1,000 yards of total offense and a bunch of touchdowns.
“There is a lot going through my head right now… every single guy went out on that field and it was a war,” Alder’s Cameron Jewell said. “I couldn’t have asked anything more from my teammates and coaches.”
After suffering a right shoulder injury against Urbana, Jewell’s status was unclear.
He was, however, able to suit up and the team was glad he came to the show.
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to play,” Jewell said. “Everybody wanted me to play and I knew I could change the game… I am glad I did (play).”
Despite having the only two punts in the game, Alder was able to match London’s ground attack with a sprinter of its own.
The first punt came after the Pioneers were held on fourth-and-five.
Johann Boeckl’s punt placed London on its own 43 for its first series.
The first strike came shortly on a 55-yard house call by Zach Jones.
The PAT put the Red Raiders up 7-0.
The Pioneers’ second offensive trip saw a surge of confidence following a 34-yard screen pass from Grant Horne to Jewell.
That put JA on London’s 26.
Moments later, Jewell capped the drive with a TD and a 7-7 tie.
Jones answered back with a 33-yard scamper on the ensuing series.
The Red Raiders added a two-point conversion for a 15-7 lead.
With around four minutes left in the opening period, Jewell, with the help of his offensive line, responded with a 13-yard run for his second TD. The conversion left Alder down 15-14.
London’s Noah Fellure boosted his team’s lead with a 47-yard reserve, putting the score at 22-14.
While down, there was little nervousness from Alder’s sideline.
Starting at his own 21, Horne called his own number and raced 69 yards into enemy territory. However, the play was called back for a block in the back.
JA’s resiliency remained on a march down the field.
Jewell scored on a short yardage run, putting the contest at 22-21 with 7:35 left in the second quarter.
The Red Raiders found themselves knocking on Alder’s doorstep with a fourth down at the four-yard line. JA’s J.D. Bowman claimed a turnover before sprinting to his team’s 32.
A dead ball foul added another 15 yards, moving to Alder’s 47.
JA ended up punting with a touchback to put London on its own 20 with about a minute left until halftime.
The Red Raiders, behind their strong ground game, methodically moved to Alder’s 10-yard line with five seconds left before the break.
After ditching a chance at a field goal, London threw an interception to JA’s Mason Curtis.
That ended the half with London up 22-21.
Coming out of the turn, London put its foot on the gas.
The Raiders opened the third quarter with an 80-yard touchdown run by Fellure.
The Pioneers responded with Jewell’s 63-yard touchdown run, putting the Pioneers back to a one-point deficit at 29-28.
Jones kept the spirits alive, scoring another 15-yard touchdown run.
However, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty placed the ball at the 18-yard line.
Blake Reay’s leg was not strong enough to make the PAT after the score.
It was a boat race to see whose unit could outscore the other as Jewell glided for a 62-yard jaunt to tie the game at 35.
A short yardage run by Jones put London up 42-35 early in the fourth period.
Yet again, Jewell found an opening and answered with a 75-yard sprint to the house to the game again at 42-42.
With around 5:30 left in the fourth quarter, a touchdown by Jones put the Red Raiders ahead 49-42.
The Pioneers kept going and scored again on Jewell’s run.
JA opted for what was a costly two-point try with Horne slinging a pass to Curtis.
The arc was short and the incompletion put the Pioneers behind by one.
“We knew that a run game from the two with their compressed defense was going to be difficult,” Snedeker said. “We trusted the ball in Horne’s and Curtis’ hands … we fell just a little bit short.”
With just under two minutes left, June Turner delivered a 63-yard blow for London’s last touchdown.
Jones’ two-point conversion put Alder in a 57-48 deficit.
Alder kept its hopes of a comeback alive after passing the midfield line.
With 44 seconds left, Horne decided to gamble on Boeckl near London’s goal line.
Jones’ interception sealed the deal in favor of the Red Raiders.
London then kneeled away the rest of the clock.
“I love these guys and I wish the result was different,” Snedeker said. “They proved a lot tonight and they put it all out there.”
The Pioneers fell to 5-2 with an even 1-1 Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail record.
Alder will play at Kenton Ridge Friday.
