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 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.

Little throws 4 TD passes and catches another, but Lancaster wins on 2-point conversion in second OT

By CRAIG DUNN Sports Editor cdunn@logandaily.com

LOGAN — Motion penalties proved costly to the Lancaster Golden Gales in Friday night’s season opener against the Logan Chieftains.

That is, however, except for the one that the Chiefs felt was not called on the game’s final play.

Trailing 42-35 after the Purple & White scored on their possession in the second overtime, the Gales got a 20-yard touchdown run from quarterback Alex Butsko to draw within one point.

Rather than kick an extra point and force a third extra session, the Gales decided to go for broke and attempt a 2-point conversion … and what may be the final play in the Logan-Lancaster varsity football series will forever be wrapped in controversy.

As the Gales shifted their personnel, it appeared at least one was still moving as Butsko took the snap, went around right end and dove into the end zone for two points.

The Chiefs looked for yellow laundry on the field. There was none to be seen.

And thus the Gales escaped Logan Chieftain Stadium with an unbelievable 43-42 victory in the season opener for both teams.

Friday's season opener comes down to how well Logan can handle Lancaster's size and sheer numbers

By CRAIG DUNN Sports Editor cdunn@logandaily.com

LOGAN — So far as actual distance goes, the separation between the Logan and Lancaster high schools campuses is only about 20 miles.

However, when it comes to high school athletics — both in number of students and, more often than not, in the physical size of football players — the separation is usually much wider. Not only are they not on the same page, but they’re seldom even in the same chapter.

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

NELSONVILLE — The Nelsonville-York Buckeyes are playing for history when the Logan Chieftains visit Dave Boston Field on Friday night.

After defeating the Chieftains the last two seasons 42-6 and 50-0, respectively, the Buckeyes can make it three straight versus one of their most bitter rivals.

Nelsonville-York has never won three straight versus the Chieftains since the school opened in 1967, and even the Nelsonville Greyhounds — the Buckeyes’ predecessor in this US-33 rivalry — failed to do so between 1912 and 1966.