Burke to coordinate defense; Breining takes offense

By CRAIG DUNN Sports Editor cdunn@ logandaily.com

LOGAN — The upcoming 2015 season of change also includes changes being made among the Logan Chieftain coaching staff.

Third-year head coach Billy Burke takes over as defensive coordinator and will call defenses while Brian Breining will call plays as the offensive coordinator.

Pat Walsh will coach the linebackers and Burke will coach the defensive backs.

Greg Thrapp has been added to the varsity staff and will coach the defensive line. He fills in for longtime assistant Nick Maniskas, who will be limited to assisting as a volunteer when possible once he undergoes shoulder surgery later this month.

On offense, Steve Harris is in charge of the offensive line, Josh Sturgell the running backs and Jim Huntsberger the receivers.

By CRAIG DUNN Sports Editor cdunn@logandaily.com

LOGAN — One thing is certain as the Logan Chieftains gear up for the upcoming football season: 2015 will be a season of change.

Six weeks from tonight, the Purple & White open their season by playing a non-league game at Athens, marking the first time in more than a decade that Lancaster won’t be their opening-night foe.

It will also be Logan’s first game against their one-time arch-rival since Athens High School departed the Southeastern Ohio Athletic League after the 2007-08 school year.

And this may be the final season for the SEOAL — at least the remnants of the SEOAL as we’ve all known it for 91 years — as Logan makes one last football foray to Gallipolis to face ancient rival Gallia Academy. More on all that later.

For now, it’s time for the annual Logan Chieftains Football Camp, which will be held next Monday through Thursday in Logan Chieftain Stadium.