Media panel predicts Jackson will dethrone Chieftains

By CRAIG DUNN Sports Editor cdunn@logandaily.com

LOGAN — In what will be, at least for the time being, the final time the Southeastern Ohio Athletic League fields at least five football teams, SEOAL media predict the Jackson Ironmen will prevail.

A panel of a dozen sportswriters, broadcasters and Internet personnel — with each conference school represented by at least one voter — picked the Ironmen to dethrone the defending champion Logan Chieftains and earn their third conference crown in four years.

The poll was again conducted by The Logan Daily News.

Jackson was selected for first place on 10 of 12 ballots and received 57 out of a possible 60 points. The Ironmen were named runner-up on one ballot and third on another.

Points are awarded on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis for first place through fifth.

Logan (46 points) garnered the other two first-place votes while accumulating six runner-up ballots and four third-place votes.

Portsmouth (35 points) was tabbed for third, receiving four second-place votes, four third-place mentions, three fourth-places and one fifth place.

Gallia Academy (24) ran the voting gamut between second and fifth, receiving one second-place vote, three thirds, three fourths and five fifths. The Blue Devils were picked for fourth, ahead of Warren (18), which had its 12 votes split between six fourth-places and a half-dozen fifths.

Last fall, SEOAL media picked Gallia Academy to defend its 2012 crown, but Logan won its first title (and 26th overall) since 2009 while Jackson placed second and Gallipolis, Portsmouth and Warren all tied for third.

If the order of anticipated finish holds up, the league’s marquee showdown will be Friday, Oct. 10, when Logan visits Jackson for a week-seven clash.

This is the final season for Portsmouth, which leaves the SEOAL after the current school year. Gallia Academy, Jackson, Logan and Warren will remain together in a four-team conference beginning with the 2015 football season.

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The annual Southeastern Ohio Athletic League pre-season football poll, conducted by The Logan Daily News, is as follows. First-place votes are in parenthesis, followed by total points received (maximum of 60 possible points) ranked on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis:

1, Jackson (10) 57

2, LOGAN (2) 46

3, Portsmouth 35

4, Gallipolis 24

5, Warren 18

Kost throws for two TDs, runs for two more, as resilient Chieftains rally for huge 28-21 SEOAL victory


By CRAIG DUNN Sports Editor cdunn@logandaily.com

LOGAN — Having already lost their composure once Friday night — and regaining it with a halftime of soul-searching — the Logan Chieftains weren't about to lose it again.

They had fought and clawed their way from behind to establish a 21-13 lead with a little more than three minutes remaining in their Southeastern Ohio Athletic League clash with visiting Jackson in Logan Chieftain Stadium, only to see the Ironmen tie the score with a near-miraculous touchdown drive and subsequent 2-point conversion with 58.3 seconds remaining.

But this band of Chieftains has proven to be a resilient bunch. Rather than settle for overtime, the Purple & White instead went 50 yards on just five plays — in just 36 seconds — to get a Nick Kost 7-yard TD run to stun the Ironmen, 28-21.

By CRAIG DUNN Sports Editor cdunn@logandaily.com

LOGAN — When measured against traditional Logan High School football standards, the Chieftains’ accomplishments thus far this season can be considered modest.

But when you consider the Chiefs have averaged just two wins per season over the last three years, they’ve already eclipsed some expectations, and they’ve equaled or bettered some of their numbers from that time span… and there are still four games remaining this fall.

And if they can add a victory over Jackson Friday night (7:30 p.m. kickoff) in Logan Chieftain Stadium to what they’ve done thus far, the Purple & White can lay another vital brick toward solidifying a new foundation of success.

By SPENCER WAUGH for The Logan Daily News

JACKSON — In 90 previous meetings, it’s unlikely a younger Jackson squad has ever faced the Logan Chieftains.

The Red and White have only eight seniors on their roster, and only four of them see significant playing time, and that includes kicker Jimmy Voiles (5-8, 220).

The Ironmen will likely have four freshmen see significant minutes and a plethora of sophomores will be relied upon as well.

Jackson was dealt a crushing blow last week in its league opener at Warren (a 35-20 win) when Derek Rafferty (6-0, 195, junior), the Ironmen’s most athletic and gifted ball carrier, was lost for the season due to a torn ACL.