Logan scores 27 first-quarter points and takes 40-0 halftime lead in lopsided - and much-needed - victory

By CRAIG DUNN Sports Editor cdunn@logandaily.com

LOGAN — In more ways than one, the Logan Chieftains made quick work of the Nelsonville-York Buckeyes Friday night.

The Purple & White overwhelmed N-Y with 27 first-quarter points, broke two scoring plays of more than 80 yards, returned two interceptions for touchdowns and rolled up a stunning 40-0 halftime lead en route to a 40-7 non-league victory in Logan Chieftain Stadium.

For all intents and purposes, the game was over after the Chiefs (2-3) scored on their first three possessions and got a Casey Phillips 46-yard pick-six to cap off that 27-point first quarter.

“They were 3-1 coming in, and it being a rivalry game, but the bottom line is we were pretty happy with what we did,” said Logan coach Billy Burke. “You prepare for other teams, but sometimes a lot of the focus has to be on you and how well you do.”

By CRAIG DUNN Sports Editor cdunn@logandaily.com

LOGAN — As the final running-clock minutes of their 30-point loss quickly ticked away last Friday night in rural Ashland County, the Logan Chieftains found themselves right back where they were at the same time last season.

The Chiefs were 1-3, as they were in 2013; they had lost their first two games of the season, as they did in 2013; they had come back to post a week-three victory, as they did in 2013; and then — yes, as in 2013 — they had run head-on into a superior Loudonville team in week four.

By CRAIG DUNN Sports Editor cdunn@logandaily.com

LOGAN — Earning the distinction of being a Logan Chieftain football captain is a sign of utmost respect… and seniors Chance Cox, Keith Martin and Will Brooks take those leadership roles to heart.

When he became head coach last season, Billy Burke made full-time captainship a privilege to be voted upon by players and coaches. Those interested in being a captain went through a process that concluded by getting up in front of the team and selling their teammates on why they should be considered for captaincy.

Cox, Martin and Brooks earned full-time captaincies and are joined by a rotating fourth captain who earns the honor on a weekly basis.

By SPENCER WAUGH for The Logan Daily News

NELSONVILLE — There are not many surprises when Logan and Nelsonville-York meet up on the gridiron, and Friday night won’t be much different.

The Buckeyes will look to dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball — something they have done successfully so far in 2014.

The Orange and Brown opened with a 34-14 loss to rival Trimble, but have rebounded with wins over state-power Newark Catholic (9-0), Berne Union (49-12), and resurgent River Valley (28-7).

By JASON ARKLEY for The Logan Daily News jarkley@athensmessenger.com

NELSONVILLE — Dave Boston Jr. called the performance by senior flanker Jeremy Warren possibly the best receiving performance he’s ever witnessed from one of his players.

“He was so dag-gone good,” Boston noted.

And then some. Warren hauled in five catches for a whopping 255 yards and three touchdowns as the Buckeyes (3-1, 1-0 Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division) opened league play with a 28-7 win at River Valley.

State-ranked Loudonville sets tone early en route to 43-13 win over Logan

By CRAIG DUNN Sports Editor cdunn@logandaily.com

LOUDONVILLE, Ohio — Many football fans who had made the long trip from Logan had barely gotten settled into their seats at Loudonville High School Friday night when Kolton Edmondson set the tone for what wound up being a 30-point Redbird victory.

Edmondson blocked a Chieftain punt deep in Logan territory, scooped it up and ran it in from 15 yards out to stake the Redbirds to a 7-0 lead less than two minutes into what would eventually be a 43-13 Loudonville victory.

State-ranked Loudonville's defense will be huge test for Logan Friday night

By CRAIG DUNN Sports Editor cdunn@logandaily.com

LOGAN — There’s no getting around it: the Logan Chieftains are facing a long road trip this Friday.

But if the Purple & White can come close to duplicating last week’s breakout performance, they can certainly make it worth their while.

By CRAIG DUNN Sports Editor cdunn@logandaily.com

LOGAN — After having rushed for just 143 yards the first two games of the season — 70 of them on one play — last week’s 455 ground yards at Meigs were a welcome site for the Chieftains.

Not just because of the numbers, of course, but because it showed that the Chiefs, despite being a predominantly passing team, are more than capable of running the football and can offer a balanced attack for opposing defenses to worry about.

It’s probably best to say, however, that they’re still in the process of establishing a running game rather than saying that it’s flat-out in place. Logan coach Billy Burke stresses the Chiefs are still a work in progress.

By SPENCER WAUGH for The Logan Daily News

LOUDONVILLE, Ohio — Last season, Loudonville defeated Logan 31-7 on its way to the second round of the OHSAA Division V playoffs, where they lost to Huron 17-13.

In the offseason, however, a clerical error was discovered that showed the Redbirds actually belonged in Division VI, where they play this year.

Now that the Redbirds are in the correct division, hopes are high in the small Ashland County village.

Running game records 455 yards, McBride scores three times as Logan routs Meigs, 55-7

By CRAIG DUNN Sports Editor cdunn@logandaily.com

ROCK SPRINGS, Ohio — Tommy Hayden probably spoke for all of his teammates after the Logan Chieftains took their early-season frustrations out on the Meigs Marauders Friday night.

“We knew that they had a good offense,” the junior offensive/defensive lineman said. “Their last game was high-scoring. Our goal was to shut them out… which we almost did. We took it more as a challenge.”

Consider that challenge met.