From 1999 to 2006, the Blue Devils finished no worse than second in the SEOAL. In fact, from 1999 to 2001, and again in 2005, the Blue Devils’ only league loss came against league champion Logan. The Blue Devils shared SEOAL titles in 2002 and 2004 and were outright champions in 2003.

But last season was an outright disaster for the blue and white. The Blue Devils suffered major injuries all during two-a-days and throughout the first half of the season. A huge senior class was cut in half, and the big blue limped to a 4-6 record.

This fall, Gallia Academy opened with victories over Athens (31-22) and river rival Point Pleasant (28-21) before falling at Ironton last week 42-6. But worse than losing the game, the Blue Devils also lost starting quarterback Kruize Wandling, back-up quarterback Ethan Moore, and talented wide receiver Austin Wilson.

Gallia Academy will rely on its winning tradition and winning attitude when the Blue Devils visit Logan Chieftain Stadium for the first non-league game between these two schools since 1922.

The GAHS offense will likely be quarterbacked by sophomore Tyler Eastman. Last week, he completed 4-of-5 passes for 25 yards.

The Blue Devils will rely on running backs Nate Allison (5-10, 175, junior) and Tyler Grimm (5-9, 175, senior). Allison has run 25 times for 104 yards and two scores while Grimm has 20 carries for 89 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Sophomore Jared Golden (6-0, 180) will flex between the backfield and split out at wide out. Junior Jared Gravely (6-3, 225) will handle the fullback duties.

Seniors Beau Whaley (6-1, 165) and Quinton Nibert (6-0, 165) lead a talented receiving corps that also features senior Evan Wood (5-11, 160) and junior tight end Kyle Dingess (6-1, 185).

Up front, the Blue Devils are unusually big and hope to use that size to their advantage. Seniors Robert Daniels (6-1, 235) and Jon Kyger (6-1, 240) form one side of the offensive line with classmate Clint Saunders (5-11, 185) handling the snapping duties. Juniors Xavier Lewis (6-3, 275) and Nate Gordon (6-3, 275) make up the other half of the line. Junior Dylan Hunter (6-0, 185) and sophomore Austin Smith add depth up front.

Defensively, GAHS will mirror Logan’s 5-3 defensive front. Senior C.J. Harrison (6-4, 185), Gravely and Dingess will play at end, while Daniels and Kyger will be the tackles. Hunter and big senior Jerrod Wray (6-0, 325) will alternate at noseguard.

The linebacking corps is led by middle linebacker Clint Saunders. Grimm, Allison and Golden will all share time at outside linebacker.

In the secondary, Nibert, Whaley, Cody Ward (5-8, 145, senior), and Corey Mason (5-11, 165, senior), Wood, and Kyle Bays (5-8, 150, junior) will all see time.

Mason will handle kicking duties for the Blue Devils and is 6-7 on PATs and 1-1 on field goal tries.

Logan football historian Spencer Waugh of loganfootball.com previews the Logan Chieftains’ football opponent every Thursday in The Logan Daily News.

Read More in the Logan Daily News.