Football preview: JA seeks 12th straight playoff berth

By Gregg Rettig
Managing Editor

With apologies to West Jefferson fans, any conversation about Madison County high school football has to start with Jonathan Alder.

Derritt Potts (24), who will be a senior this season, has been a stalwart in the Alder backfield over the years. He rushed for 1,531 yards last season.

The Pioneers are seeking to make their 12th consecutive playoff appearance in 2012.

Coach Steve Coate said he has liked what he seen in the preseason, but cautions Alder has yet another brutal schedule this year.

The Division III Pioneers started with two Division I schools in Thomas Worthington (Aug. 24) and Marysville (Aug. 31). They also play at Division I Zanesville Sept. 21 and at Division I Marion Harding on Oct. 19.

“Putting together the schedule is always difficult for us,” said Coate, whose team could not find an opponent for Oct. 12 and has the night off. “There’s no doubt, it’s a really strong schedule again this year.”

When the Pioneers travel to Worthington, they will have a mix of returnees and new starters. Most likely senior Andy Foose will take over for the graduated Nate Squires at quarterback, while classmate Derritt Potts returns at tailback. Last season, Potts had 11 runs over better than 50 yards and averaged 10.3 yards a carry while rushing for 1,531 yards on 149 attempts.

“Andy put in a lot of time over the summer working at quarterback,” his coach said.

Alder graduated a ton of talent from the offensive line, including 6-foot-7 Max Pollum. However, Coate said he believes seniors Dustin Kuhlwein (left guard), Connor Headings (right guard) and Tyler Dixon (left tackle) will anchor a solid line.

On defense, the Pioneers will rotate formations, depending on opponents and situations.

The defense starts with Brad Miller at free safety. The senior will lead the defense and is a playmaker in aspects of the game. Last year in the regular season, he had 32 tackles, 29 assistants, four interceptions and 11 passes broken up.

“Brad knows what needs to be done on every play,” Coate said. “He’ll be one of our leaders.”

Replacing the stout linebacking corps from a season ago will be the Pioneers’ chief challenge, but Coate said he’s confident in the new starters. Mason Will, who was outstanding up front last season, most likely will move to linebacker. Last year, Will, now a senior, had 55 tackles, 38 assists, 10 tackles for loss and eight sacks during the regular season.

Also look for senior AJ Detwiller and classmate Casey Gunter to play major roles at linebacker.

Up front, Kuhlwein and Dixon and Brandon Lewis are expected to make impacts.

And, of course, you have to mention the kicking game with all-state senior Nick Smith. He is considering several Division I colleges. He kicked a 52-yard field goal last season and a 51-yarder the year before.

He is 13-of-18 on field goal attempts the last two seasons and put 38 of 67 kickoff returns into the end zone.