Chieftains Dominate Bulldogs, Streak Goes to 26 After 62-16 Win
Friday was homecoming for the Bulldogs. Athens was fired up and ready to play, but from the get-go, it was obvious the homecoming queen had some insight into the contest. She wore a purple dress. Athens would see purple all night.
It didn't start that way. The Chieftains held the Bulldogs to a three and out, but the ensuing punt was fumbled, and the Bulldogs took over. They found pay dirt when Grant Gregory hooked up with Homecoming King Lance Spires for the TD, and then again for the two-point conversion. Logan wouldn't go away quietly.
The Chieftains struck back, by bruising the ball down the field, and finally Derek Harden bulled in from 7-yards out. Adam Puhl added the kick. The Chiefs would strike once more in the first quarter, once again Harden would score, this time from 18-yards out, and Logan led 14-8 at the end of a quarter.
Logan defense played tough the whole first half, chasing Gregory all over the field. In the second quarter, the offense took over as well. Logan would end their third scoring drive when Alex Penrod scampered on a busted play for 19-yards and a TD. That would kick-off a marathon of scoring from the Chiefs.
On the next offensive series, Harden busted out for a 24-yard TD run. Puhl added the extra point. The Defense would strike next. Chaz Kline picked off his second pass of the night, returned it 38 yards for the TD. The last score of the half came with 2:58 to go in the half. Harden found pay dirt from 4 yards out.
In the second half, is was more of the same. Harden scored twice with 5 minutes after Matt Mong picked off the fourth pass of the night. One Harden TD went for 55 yards, the other for 3. Athens scored once in the third, when back-up QB Chris Hewitt found Lance Spires for the TD and the conversion.
Austin "Hardcore" Rohr scored for the fourth straight game, this time busting one up the middle and going 65-yards for the TD.
The Defense picked off 4 passes on the night, Chaz Kline snagging two and Matt Mong and Chad Kratzenburg each had one. The Chieftains recorded 7 sacks on the evening.
On offense, Logan was led by Harden, who rushed for 202 yards on 18 carries and scored 6 TDs, tying 2 school records, most TDs in a game, and most points in a game. Matt Mong carried 6 for 44 yards, he also caught one pass for 24 yards.
Alex Penrod was 3-7 passing for 53 yards. Penrod also rushed 5 times for 51 yards.
Player of the game was Derek Harden. It was a record breaking night for Harden, how could you deny him player of the game?
The Chieftains will finally return home Friday when they host the Tigers of Marietta for homecoming. The Tiger come in 5-2 overall and 2-2 inside the SEOAL.
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