North Union Suffers First Loss but Shows Fight Against Jonathan Alder
Updated: 19 hours ago
Published: September 14, 2026
Sport: High School Football
Final Score: Jonathan Alder 26, North Union 14
Two undefeated teams met in Plain City on Friday night, but only one could leave Week 4 with its perfect record intact.
North Union entered the matchup 3–0 after opening the season with three convincing victories. Jonathan Alder was also unbeaten and presented the Wildcats with their most difficult challenge of the young season.
The Pioneers ultimately protected their home field with a 26–14 victory, handing North Union its first loss.
The result dropped the Wildcats to 3–1, but their strong start—and the talent they have displayed on both sides of the football—remains intact.
A major early-season test
North Union had controlled its first three opponents:
➡️ North Union 49, Pleasant 7
➡️ North Union 48, Waynesfield-Goshen 0
➡️ North Union 41, Northmor 14
The Wildcats entered Friday averaging 46 points per game and had outscored their opponents 138–21.
Jonathan Alder provided a different kind of challenge. The Pioneers entered the game with three victories of their own and had scored at least 35 points in every contest. North Union was facing a physical Division III program with a balanced offense and multiple experienced playmakers.
The Wildcats did not produce their usual offensive total, but they remained within striking distance and received touchdowns from two of their most important players.
Dainon Lindsey finds the end zone
Senior receiver Dainon Lindsey scored one of North Union’s two touchdowns and finished with three receptions for 30 yards.
Jonathan Alder focused considerable attention on limiting Lindsey after his outstanding start to the season.
Through the opening three games, Lindsey had recorded:
➡️ Five receptions for 63 yards against Pleasant
➡️ Seven receptions for 64 yards against Waynesfield-Goshen
➡️ Five receptions for 154 yards against Northmor
His performance against Northmor included an impressive average of 30.8 yards per reception.
Even with Jonathan Alder working to prevent another explosive performance, Lindsey still found a way to reach the end zone.
He has developed into one of the Central Buckeye Conference’s most dangerous receivers. His size, length and ability to make plays downfield give North Union a threat that opponents must account for on every passing down.
Lindsey is also a multi-sport athlete and one of North Union’s leading basketball players. His body control, ability to high-point the football and comfort competing in space translate naturally between the two sports.
Nickolas Hajjar continues making plays
Nickolas Hajjar accounted for North Union’s other touchdown.
Hajjar has been an important part of the Wildcats’ offense throughout their strong start. He gives North Union another athlete capable of creating plays with the football and helps prevent opposing defenses from focusing entirely on Lindsey.
Against a talented Jonathan Alder defense, Hajjar found a way to contribute to the scoreboard and keep the Wildcats competitive.
He and Lindsey are already well known for their work on the basketball court, where both earned first-team All-CBC recognition. Their football success demonstrates their versatility and competitive value to North Union’s athletic program.
Having two athletes who can create offense in different ways gives the Wildcats a strong foundation as they move toward conference play.
Hudson Bugg contributes to a young core
Sophomore Hudson Bugg has emerged as another player to watch for North Union.
The running back and linebacker has contributed in multiple roles during the first month of the season. He was selected as one of North Union’s players of the game following the season-opening victory over Pleasant, when he recorded seven solo tackles and recovered a fumble.
Bugg’s development is important because North Union relies on several players to contribute on both sides of the football.
Along with sophomores such as Hayze Miller, Hayden Young, Dominic Hainline and Colton Lee, Bugg is part of a young group gaining valuable varsity experience alongside established players like Lindsey, Hajjar and Galloday.
That combination of experienced leaders and developing underclassmen gives North Union reasons to remain optimistic beyond one loss.
The defense faced its toughest challenge
North Union’s defense had allowed only 21 points through its first three games, including a shutout against Waynesfield-Goshen.
Jonathan Alder scored 26, but the Wildcats kept the game competitive and did not allow the Pioneers to turn it into the kind of high-scoring contest both teams had produced earlier in the season.
North Union had already demonstrated its defensive playmaking ability during its 3–0 start.
Wyatt Arver recorded an interception, while Bugg and others created turnovers and helped give the offense favorable field position. That ability to make momentum-changing plays will remain important when CBC Mad River Division competition begins.
One loss does not erase an excellent start
North Union’s undefeated record is gone, but the Wildcats remain in a strong position.
They are 3–1 and have outscored their four opponents 152–47. Their offense has proven it can run and throw the football, while the defense has already delivered a shutout and several turnover-producing performances.
Friday’s game showed North Union where it stands against another unbeaten and experienced program. It also gave the Wildcats something their first three games could not: an opportunity to respond to adversity.
Urbana comes to Richwood next
North Union returns home September 18 to face Urbana.
The Hillclimbers enter the matchup with a 3–1 record following a 42–34 victory over Graham. That means the Wildcats will immediately face another opponent with a winning record and a productive offense.
After that, North Union begins CBC Mad River Division competition:
➡️ September 18 — Urbana at North Union
➡️ September 25 — North Union at Indian Lake
➡️ October 2 — Benjamin Logan at North Union
➡️ October 9 — North Union at Northwestern
➡️ October 16 — Shawnee at North Union
➡️ October 23 — North Union at Graham
The Indian Lake game will be especially significant. The Lakers eliminated North Union from the 2025 playoffs, giving the Wildcats an opportunity to measure their progress against a familiar opponent.
North Union remains a team with experienced playmakers, promising underclassmen and legitimate conference-title goals.
The Wildcats did not leave Plain City with the result they wanted, but Week 4 did not change what they have already shown.
This is still a talented football team with plenty left to accomplish.
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