| Logan limits Shadyside to just 104 total yards, chalks first shutout in five years in defeating Tigers 28-0 By CRAIG DUNN Sports Editor cdunn@logandaily.com SHADYSIDE, Ohio — Playing for the first-time ever in Shadyside — a hardscrabble, blue-collar town hard by the Ohio River in extreme eastern Ohio — it was only fitting that the Logan Chieftains would put together a workman-like effort to remain undefeated. Logan’s defense has taken its lumps this season, but Friday night it limited the host Tigers to just 104 total yards and a paltry seven first downs as the Purple & White shut out the host Belmont Countians 28-0. Shadyside (1-5) never seriously threatened to score as the Chiefs (6-0), ranked No. 8 in this week’s Associated Press Division II state poll, put on their work gear, grabbed their lunch buckets and dominated on a cool, wet, breezy night at Fleming Field. It was Logan’s first defensive shutout in five years. The last time Logan blanked an opponent, it was another team of Tigers — those from Marietta — by a 13-0 count on Sept. 24, 2010. |
Chieftain defense dominates in eastern Ohio
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Long trek to Shadyside awaits Chiefs on Friday By CRAIG DUNN Sports Editor cdunn@logandaily.com LOGAN — Even when the Southeastern Ohio Athletic League had 10 schools and actually scheduling games wasn’t an issue, the Logan Chieftains routinely made extended Friday night football treks to such places as Zanesville, Marietta, Ironton and Portsmouth. This Friday, however, the Purple & White take one of the school’s all-time longest road trips ever when they travel to eastern Belmont County for a non-conference matchup with the Shadyside Tigers. The game (7 p.m. kickoff) will not be played at Shadyside High School; it will be at a nearby middle school (please see related story in this “Game Night Countdown” section) where the high school field is located. Last season, the Chiefs took extended trips to Loudonville and Portsmouth as part of a schedule that saw them travel more than 800 round-trip miles while playing six of their 10 games away from home. The 2015 schedule — at least up to this point — has been much kinder. Team captains want to help leave a legacy Lane Little, Bryce McBride and Isaiah Smith are acknowledged leaders of undefeated Chieftains By CRAIG DUNN Sports Editor cdunn@logandaily.com LOGAN — There were several excellent candidates to become this season’s Logan Chieftain football team captains… but when all was said and done, it wasn’t difficult to select three particular standouts. Since taking over as head coach in 2013, Billy Burke has made full-time captainship a privilege to be voted upon by players and coaches. Those interested in being a captain go through a process that concludes by getting up in front of the team and selling their teammates on why they should be considered for captaincy. The team’s acknowledged leaders — seniors Lane Little, Bryce McBride and Isaiah Smith — were pretty darn good choices. Without them, the Chieftains wouldn’t be anywhere close to 5-0, ranked No. 8 in the state in Division II, or in contention for a post-season playoff berth as they begin the second half of their season Friday night at Shadyside (see page B2 for this week’s game preview). “Those guys are solid choices as captains, no doubt about,” said Burke, “but the great thing is that we also have a few other guys who I would feel good about if they were captains too. There were certainly (other) guys who got significant votes. Shadyside scouting report: Turnover-plagued offense has committed 15 miscues By SPENCER WAUGH for The Logan Daily News SHADYSIDE, Ohio — On paper, the Shadyside Tigers may look like an easy mark. After all, the Tigers are 1-4 and have scored only 26 points in five games. But don’t let that record fool you. Just last week the then-0-4 Tigers upset 4-0 Toronto. And when it comes to tradition, it’s hard to top this tiny school in Belmont County. The Orange and Black have been state runners-up twice, been to a third state semifinal and six other regional finals in the last 15 years. Current head coach Mark Holenka is 62-19 since taking over in 2009. Three of the Tigers’ four losses have come against teams who currently sit 5-0. And winning at Fleming Field — the Tigers’ home turf — is no easy task. Fleming Field is named for Don Fleming, a 1956 Shadyside graduate who died in a construction accident in 1963. Fleming was drafted by the NFL’s Chicago Cardinals and played three seasons with the Cleveland Browns as a defensive back from 1960-1962 following a Hall of Fame baseball career at the University of Florida. Coach Holenka is regarded as one of the top defensive minds around, but offense is where SHS needs to improve before facing the Chieftains on Friday. Shadyside is averaging only 118 yards of offense and a paltry 1.63 yards per carry in the running game. Turnovers have also plagued the river men. The Tigers have thrown nine interceptions and lost six fumbles. Shadyside has played about every type of offense so far this season, lining up with two and three backs in wishbone, I, and wing-T formations but also with an empty backfield and five wide receivers. Using most of the same personnel gives them the flexibility to move from two backs to empty before the snap. Quarterback Billy Johnson (6-0, 166, junior) is another dual threat. He has completed 28 of 66 passes for 335 yards while being intercepted seven times. Quarterback sacks have negated his rushing stats. Also in the Tiger backfield are Jesse Cain (5-8, 183, junior) and Alex Krupa (6-2, 180, sophomore). Cain, a tailback, has rushed for team highs in carries (73), yards (219) and touchdowns (three), with Krupa adding 84 yards and one score on 28 carries. Senior Stevie Doughty (6-1, 185) plays both tight end and running back. Logan Cline (5-11, 150, senior) leads the Tigers with nine catches for 105 yards while Gregory Quinn (5-7, 140, junior) adds six catches for 82 yards. Mason Campbell (6-5, 237, senior), Cody Hawthorne (5-5, 160, junior), and Connor Banco (6-1, 183, freshman) all play as linemen and as tight ends or running backs. Campbell, Banco, Eli Karkowski (6-3, 281, senior) and Chaz Davis (5-10, 196, junior) all play tackle with Hawthorne, Dylan Hanson (5-9, 182, sophomore) and Donnie Meadows (6-2, 251, junior) at guard. Dante DeFelice (5-9, 254, senior) is the center. Considering the inconsistency of the SHS offense, the defense has been downright suffocating. The Orange and Black are holding opponents to under 300 yards of total offense and just 165 yards on the ground. Starting up front, Krupa and Chase Wade (6-4, 200, senior) are the bookends with Meadows, Campbell, Hawthorne, and Karkowski all playing inside. Campbell can line up all across the defensive front. Banco is the middle linebacker with Doughty and Hanson playing outside. Hawthorne can also drop back into the middle linebacker post. Shadow Gibson (5-9, 155, junior) and Cline are the corners with Quinn and Cain occupying the safety positions. * * * Logan football historian Spencer Waugh of loganfootball.com previews the Chiefs’ opponent every Thursday in The Logan Daily News. And if you’re not planning to make Friday night’s long road trip, you can once again listen to Logan Chieftain football live on the Internet by logging onto loganfootball.com, where Waugh and Kevin Dunigan will bring the play-by-play. Senior profile: Corey Wilson Corey Wilson is a 5-foot-8, 150-pound running back/cornerback. He wears No. 23 for the Chiefs. Question: What are some of your strengths as a football player, and what are some of the things you’ve had to work at the hardest to become the player you are? Answer: Speed and quickness are my strengths. I've had to work on fully understanding the plays. Also trying to transition back to playing after an injury has been a struggle (note: Wilson played his first game of the season last week against Nelsonville-York and broke off a 49-yard run the first time he touched the ball). Q: What does it mean to you to be a Chieftain and what do you want your legacy to be? A: It means I am a part of something bigger than myself. Representing my community. I want my legacy to be the next plaque on the wall. Q: What are some of the ways that you show senior leadership to your underclassman teammates? A: I like to lead by example. Try to show them how things should be done. Q: What other sports do you play, besides football, and what is your favorite sport and why? A: I run track. Football would be my favorite because of the physical aspect of the game. Q: What are some of your top athletic accomplishments or memories? A: This past track season I received a Southeast Ohio All-District medal. Q: Do you have any pregame rituals or routines? A: Just making sure I have all my gear so I am ready to go. Q: Hobbies? A: I enjoy hanging out with my friends and playing sports. Q: What do you want to do when you are an adult, and why? A: I want to be an anesthesiologist. I think it would be a fun and rewarding career. Q: If you could meet one person from any era of history, who would it be and why? A: Alexander the Great. He must have been very intelligent and determined to be able to conquer most of the world. Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your life, and why? A: My grandpa. He has shown me where hard work and dedication can get you. He has the qualities of a man I'd like to become. Q: Favorite college team? A: OSU. Q: Favorite television show? A: Spongebob. Q: Favorite movie? A: The Goonies. Q: Favorite video game? A: League of Legends. Q: What's your favorite school subject, and why? A: Science. I think it is the most interesting. Senior profile: Josh Rardain Josh Rardain is a 5-foot-10, 190-pound lineman. He wears No. 56 for the Chiefs. Question: What are some of your strengths as a football player, and what are some of the things you’ve had to work at the hardest to become the player you are? Answer: I'm really good at getting people excited. I trained in the off-season. Q: What does it mean to you to be a Chieftain and what do you want your legacy to be? A: It means I am a part of a great program. I want to win a playoff game. Q: What are some of the ways that you show senior leadership to your underclassman teammates? A: I help them with drills. Q: What other sports do you play, besides football, and what is your favorite sport and why? A: None. Q: What are some of your top athletic accomplishments or memories? A: Playing some varsity my sophomore year. Q: Do you have any pregame rituals or routines? A: Slapping the "win" sign (in the locker room). Q: Hobbies? A: I caught a four-pound largemouth bass. Q: What do you want to do when you are an adult, and why? A: Join the military. I've always wanted to. Q: If you could meet one person from any era of history, who would it be and why? A: Abraham Lincoln. His hat is sweet. Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your life, and why? A: My mom. She always pushes me to do my best. Q: Favorite college team? A: Oregon Ducks. Q: Favorite television show? A: South Park. Q: Favorite movie? A: Forrest Gump. Q: Favorite video game? A: League of Legends. Q: What's your favorite school subject, and why? A: Math is easy for me. Logan turned down for MSL membership By CRAIG DUNN Sports Editor cdunn@logandaily.com
LOGAN — The Mid-State League will not be opening its doors to Logan High School… at least not as a conference member. LHS administrators have been informed that the MSL has decided against expansion and/or breaking up its big-school Buckeye Division, moves that likely would have included Logan. Logan has been one of the subjects of ongoing talks among MSL members in regards to possible expansion or realignment. Logan remains No. 2 in Division II Region 5 COLUMBUS — The Ohio High School Athletic Association released its second set of football computer ratings Tuesday afternoon. The OHSAA uses the computer ratings to determine teams who make the post-season playoffs. The top eight teams in each region qualify, with the exception of Division I, in which the top 16 in each region make the playoffs. There are four regions in divisions II through VII but only two regions in Division I. The undefeated Logan Chieftains (5-0) remained No. 2 in Division II Region 5, trailing the region’s only other undefeated team, Worthington Kilbourne (5-0). In Divisions II through VII, teams in the top four of their respective region earn an opening-round home game. The rankings for Logan and its opponents (listed in bold), as well as for other regions and teams of local and area interest, are as follows. Teams are listed with their average points and their season record in parenthesis: Division I Region 2: 1. Lancaster (5-0) 14.5, 2. Cin. Colerain (4-1) 13.5, 3. Cin. Elder (4-1) 12.15, 4. Huber Hts. Wayne (5-0) 11.8735, 5. Cin. St. Xavier (4-1) 11.75, 6. Hilliard Davidson (4-1) 11.45, 7. Hilliard Darby (5-0) 11.3, 8. Springboro (4-1) 10.5, 9. Mason (3-2) 10.2141, 10. Fairfield (4-1) 10.1, 11. Gahanna (4-1) 9.949, 12. Pickerington Central (3-2) 9.5, 13. Upper Arlington (4-1) 9.4878, 14. Beavercreek (4-1) 8.9444, 15. Central Crossing (3-2) 7.9434, 16. West Chester Lakota West (3-2) 7.9, 17. Galloway Westland (4-1) 7.8, 18. Pickerington North (3-2) 7.6, 19. Reynoldsburg (3-2) 7.3364, 20. Hilliard Bradley (3-2) 7.0, 32. Dublin Jerome (1-4) 3.25. Division II Region 5: 1. Worthington Kilbourne (5-0) 12.9, 2. LOGAN (5-0) 11.1, 3. Licking Heights (4-1) 10.25, 4. Massillon Perry (4-1) 9.45, 5. Wooster (4-1) 8.6, 6. Uniontown Lake (3-2) 7.9, 7. Mansfield Senior (4-1) 7.8, 8-tie. Cols. Northland (4-1) and Cols. Walnut Ridge (3-2) 7.65, 10. Tri-Valley (4-1) 7.2, 11. Franklin Heights (3-2) 6.3, 12. Watkins Memorial (4-1) 5.9426, 15. Groveport (4-1) 5.4, 20. Cols. St. Charles (2-2) 4.2083, 26-tie. Canal Winchester (0-5) 0. Division II Region 6: 1. Cin. La Salle (5-0) 19.25, 2. Cin. Turpin (5-0) 12.85, 3. Lima Senior (4-1) 9.8, 4. Kings Mills Kings (4-1) 9.25, 5. Cin. Glen Este (4-1) 8.8919, 6. Trenton Edgewood (4-1) 8.7, 7. Miamisburg (4-1) 8.65, 8. Vandalia Butler (3-2) 7.5, 9. Riverside Stebbins (5-0) 7.3707, 10. Cin. Withrow (3-2) 7.35, 11. Cin. Winton Woods (2-2) 6.8472, 12. Sidney (4-1) 6.7707, 13. Teays Valley (3-2) 5.8. Division III Region 9: 1. Zanesville (5-0) 10.0429, 2. Hamilton Township (4-1) 9.35, 3. Jackson (4-1) 8.7, 4. Granville (3-2) 7.95, 5. Cols. Independence (4-1) 7.25, 6. Bexley (4-1) 6.55, 7. Cols. DeSales (4-1) 6.5, 8. Cols. Beechcroft (3-1) 5.9167, 9. Chillicothe (3-2) 5.6, 10. Cols. Eastmoor (3-2) 5.55, 11. Cols. Watterson (3-2) 5.4677, 12. Marietta (4-1) 4.5, 15. Sheridan (3-2) 3.5, 18. Athens (2-3) 2.2, 22-tie. Warren (0-5) and Vinton County (0-5) 0. Division IV Region 12: 1. Ottawa-Glandorf (4-1) 7.95, 2. Napoleon (4-1) 7.8, 3. Caledonia River Valley (4-1) 6.95, 4. London (4-1) 6.9333, 5. Wauseon (4-1) 6.8, 6. Springfield Kenton Ridge (4-1) 6.3263, 7. Jonathan Alder (4-1) 6.1758, 8. Cols. Hartley (2-2) 5.9167, 9. Port Clinton (4-1) 5.55, 10. Oak Harbor (3-2) 4.9. Division IV Region 13: 1. Johnstown-Monroe (5-0) 13.35, 2. Steubenville (5-0) 11.8111, 3. St. Clairsville (4-0) 10.2639, 4. Maysville (5-0) 8.4, 5. Salem (5-0) 8.3, 6. Byesville Meadowbrook (5-0) 7.4, 7. Gnadenhutten Indian Valley (4-1) 6.6, 8. Newark Licking Valley (3-2) 6.05, 9. Wintersville Indian Creek (4-1) 5.9898, 10-tie. Bloom-Carroll (3-2) and Heath (3-2), 5.35, 12. Canal Fulton Northwest (3-2) 4.6, 15. Fairfield Union (2-3) 3.05, 17. New Lexington (2-3) 2.7, 18. Cambridge (2-3) 2.55, 23. Amanda-Clearcreek (1-4) 1.404. Division IV Region 14: Middletown Fenwick (5-0) 13.05, 2. Cin. Indian Hill (5-0) 11.05, 3. Kettering Alter (4-1) 9.95, 4. Reading (5-0) 9.2, 5. Hamilton Badin (4-1) 8.897, 6. Cin. Wyoming (4-1) 7.7879, 7. Germantown Valley View (4-1) 7.65, 8-tie. Circleville (4-1) and Logan Elm (4-1) 6.95, 10. Clarksville Clinton-Massie (4-1) 6.35, 11. Meigs (4-1) 6.25, 12. Cin. Mariemont (3-2) 5.7, 14. Waverly (3-2) 4.6, 23. Unioto (2-3) 2.1, 26-tie. Gallipolis (0-5) 0. Division V Region 17: 1. Cadiz Harrison Central (5-0) 9.65, 2. Zane Trace (5-0) 9.5, 3. Wheelersburg (5-0) 8.45, 4. Alexander (4-1) 6.65, 5. Rock Hill (3-2) 6.25, 6. West Lafayette Ridgewood (4-1) 6.0, 7. Bidwell River Valley (4-1) 5.85, 8. Minford (3-2) 5.35, 9. Coshocton (3-2) 4.6182, 10. Wellston (3-2) 4.3, 11. Belmont Union Local (3-2) 3.8, 12. McDermott Northwest (3-2) 3.4, 14. Oak Hill (2-3) 3.2, 16. Piketon (2-3) 2.25, 17. Portsmouth (2-3) 2.2, 18. Nelsonville-York (1-4) 2.1, 19. Ironton (1-4) 1.8, 22-tie. Westfall (0-5) and Liberty Union (0-5) 0. Division VI Region 21: 1. Lucasville Valley (5-0) 9.85, 2. Paint Valley (5-0) 9.15, 3. Beverly Fort Frye (5-0) 8.6, 4. Grandview Heights (4-1) 7.95, 5. Chesapeake (4-1) 6.75, 6. Newark Cath. (4-1) 6.1747, 7. Hannibal River (4-1) 6.0818, 8. Cols. Ready (3-2) 6.05, 9. Fredericktown (4-1) 5.9747, 10. Barnesville (4-1) 5.25, 11. Centerburg (3-2) 4.9747, 12. Frankfort Adena (3-2) 4.15, 16. Berne Union (2-3) 2.8091, 17. Crooksville (2-3) 2.45. Division VII Region 25: 1. Caldwell (5-0) 7.4, 2. Danville (5-0) 6.95, 3. Trimble (4-1) 6.65, 4. Bellaire St. John Central (5-0) 6.0253, 5. Miller (4-1) 5.6, 6. Portsmouth Sciotoville (4-1) 4.95, 7. Lancaster Fisher Cath. (3-2) 3.85, 8. Shenandoah (3-2) 3.65, 9. Belpre (3-2) 3.5, 10. Canal Winchester Harvest Prep. (2-3) 3.3152, 11. Portsmouth Notre Dame (3-2) 3.2, 12. Racine Southern (2-3) 3.15, 13. Waterford (2-3) 2.8, 14. Beaver Eastern (2-3) 2.5606, 15. Shadyside (1-4) 2.15, 17. Reedsville Eastern (2-3) 2.1, 20. Symmes Valley (2-3) 1.8535, 22. South Gallia (2-3) 1.75, 24. Fairfield Christian Academy (1-4) 0.7, 27-tie. Federal Hocking (0-5) 0. Chiefs break into top 10 of state AP football rankings Logan now rated No. 8 in Division II COLUMBUS — Climbing to 5-0 with a 13-point win last Friday at Nelsonville-York has vaulted the Logan Chieftains into the top 10 in this week's state Associated Press football rankings. The Chiefs are ranked No. 8 in Division II in the weekly poll of a state panel of statewide sportswriters and broadcasters. Logan was 15th in the season's first poll two weeks ago and moved to No. 12 last week before breaking into the top ten this week. The Chieftains are expected to retain their No. 2 positioning in the state Division II Region 5 computer ratings when the Ohio High School Athletic Association announces those numbers on Tuesday. Logan trails fellow undefeated Worthington Kilbourne both in the DII state poll and in Region 5 computer points. Kilbourne is No. 6 in this week's AP poll. Jackson, which lost 28-7 to undefeated Wheelersburg last week, fell out of the state rankings. Wheelersburg is now No. 3 in the state in Division V. Columbus DeSales (4-1), the Chiefs' week-eight opponent, is now No. 12 in Division III. DeSales' only loss this season was to Lancaster, which is now tied for fifth in Division I. How a state panel of sports writers and broadcasters rates Ohio high school football teams in the third weekly Associated Press poll of 2015, by OHSAA divisions, with won-lost record and total points (first-place votes in parentheses): |
AuthorCraig Dunn - Craig Dunn is one of Ohio's premier prep sportswriters and has been covering Logan HS athletics for over 40 years. A former sports editor of the Logan Daily News, Craig has played an essential role in promoting LHS Football. Copryright LoganFootball.com
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