Chieftains Can't Get Over the "Hump," Fall to Ironmen 21-14

Click Here for Pictures from the Week (Coming Soon)

The heartbreak continues.  It's been a rough season for the purple and white, and thanks to the legs and the arm of probable SEOAL MVP Jared Humphries, the season won't get any better.  Logan dropped their fifth game of the season Friday night, making it 4 games they lost by a total of 14 points.  The Jackson Ironmen move to 6-0 on the season and 1-0 in SEOAL play.  The Ironmen appear destined for their 21st SEOAL title.

Logan had their chances again this week.  Logan appeared to have all the momentum midway through the 2nd quarter.  A long Justin Pack run moved Logan to the Ironmen 2-yard line, and the goal line offense trotted onto the field.  On first down, the Ray Robinson-Corey Spackey center exchange squirted out to the 5 yard line where Jackson senior Randy Fisher recovered the Logan fumble.  It would prove to be even more costly.

Jackson used the remaining 6+ minutes to methodically pick apart the LHS defense.  Humphreys marched the red and white to a first and goal at the Logan one yard line.  The Chiefs held on 2 downs, but on third down fullback Travis Huff walked into the endzone and Justin Mullins PAT put the Ironmen on top 7-0 headed into the locker room.

The defensive struggle continued into the third quarter.  Logan's first 2 posessions of the second half resulted in negative net yardage, including three quarterback sacks.  Jackson also struggled to move the football, and a Jared Humphreys fumble turned the tide again in favor of the home team.

Looking for a change of pace late in the third quarter, Logan brought Sophomore tailback Michael Coleman off the bench.  Coleman's speed allowed him to pick up and 8 yard gain, the longest of the second half to that point for LHS.  On the very next play, Spackey called his own number and caught Jackson safety Jared Humphreys creeping up to the line of scrimmage and burst through a whole made by Joe Howdyshell and Jesse Wilson to turn a QB keeper into a 48-yard touchdown.  Poindexter's PAT tied the score at 7.

Momentum had swung and Logan appeared to be in position to take over the football game.  Faced with a first and 25 from deep in their own territory, Jackson was in trouble.  However, on second down Humphreys found Split End Marcus Boggs for a 12 yard gain.  Jackson took a timeout following the big completion, and the next play would seal the win for Jackson.  On third and 13 from their own 34, Humphreys used a powerful block from Walter Miller to burst into the open field breaking several tackles and going 66-yards for the go ahead score less than one minute into the fourth quarter.

Jackson scored again less than 3 minutes later.  Forced into a fourth and 1 situation, Coach Layton rolled the dice and came up with a game breaking play.  In one of the best offensive play calls seen in SEOAL play in several years, the Ironmen used a playaction dump pass to WB Brenton Wayland to close the door on LHS.  Logan Safety Tory Kratzenburg bit on the play action, and Wayland took the catch to the house.  Mullins PAT made the score 21-7.

Logan didn't wait to start a rally.  Logan used a couple of big completions, one to Howe, a 16-yard pass to FB Justin Coakley, and a 10-yard TD pass to BJ Hughes to cut the deficit to 7 with 6:02 to play in the fourth quarter.

The Logan defense forced the Ironmen to punt, and got the ball back with just under 3 minutes left in the football game and 45 yards between them and the endzone.  However, 4 plays later Logan was forced to give Jackson the ball back and a fews plays later and Jackson had locked up their 6th straight win.

Logan limited Jackson to only 1 second half first down, and that came in the last minute as they ran the clock out.  Logan managed only 2 first downs themselves in the second half, and were held to a season low 162 yards of total offense.  The running game was held to an anemic 67 yards on 25 carries.

Jared Humphreys was the player of the game, slicing up the Logan defense for 195 yards on 25 carries and a touchdown rushing.  He completed 4 of 8 passes for 89 yards and another TD.

Jackson will host Gallia Academy next Friday, while Logan will visit Marietta for their homecoming.  Both kick-offs will be at 7:30.

PASSING
Jackson: Jared Humphreys 4-8-89-1TD-0INT
Logan: Corey Spackey 8-15-95-1TD-0INT, Michael Coleman 0-1-0-0TD-0INT

RECEIVING
Jackson: Brenton Wayland 2-68 TD, Marcus Boggs 1-12, Jesse Adams 1-9
Logan: Patrick Howe 5-64, Justin Coakley 1-16, BJ Hughes 1-10 TD, Tory Kratzenburg 1-5