Offensive Line Leads the Way in 14-7 Win over Jackson

October 3, 2005

JACKSON - For the first time since 2002, Logan is 1-0 in SEOAL play.  The Chiefs are also firmly in the playoff hunt with only 4 weeks to go in the 2005 season.  Best of all, Logan built on their strong non-league schedule to dominate Jackson up front.  The game was Logan's first at Jackson's brand new Alumni Stadium, and the Chieftains put things together in the second half.

It was evident from the get-go that this was going to be a defensive slugfest.  The purple and white held Jackson to just 86 total yards of offense, including a meager one yard passing.  32 of Jackson's 85 rushing yards came on their lone scoring drive.

Jackson's Bronson Ostrander blocked a Tony Ellis punt, recovering it at the Logan 32-yard line.  Jackson's Dusty Erwin would run behind an unbalanced line featuring 280lbs Beau Riley and 260lbs John Leonard on the same side of the offensive line.  Working behind that beef, Erwin capped off the drive with a 4-yard TD that put the Ironmen on top 7-0.

Logan's running game was non-existent in the first quarter, and most of the first half.  However; Michael Angle, playing one of the best games of his young varsity career, kept early drives alive by completing early passes to fellow Sophomore Lucas Wright.  Kevin Call also came up with a big 27-yard grab near midfield for some of Logan's only early offensive success.

As the game wore on, it was evident Logan was stronger and better prepared for four quarters of physical football.  Late in the half, Logan finally started to move the ball on the ground.  Running from their power formation, Logan moved the ball 68-yards in under two and a half minutes to even the score as time expired.  Fullback Justin Coakley had his only two catches on the drive.  At times the drive was frantic and appeared so disorganized that the Chiefs would watch the clock run out.  However, on 4th down and less than 10 seconds to go, Angle took a snap and found Coakley at the JHS 15-yard line, and then he proceeded to bull his way into the endzone as time wore out.

Logan was unable to pick up a first down after the opening kick-off, and Jackson was able to gain the upper hand in the field position battle.  The third quarter was a continuation of the punt fest, and the only near-offense was an overthrown pass from Jackson's Marcus Boggs to tight end Ben Jordan.

The Chiefs showed signs of life late in the third quarter when they were able to move the football from the Jackson 10-yard line to the Jackson 40.  Logan regained control of the field position battle, and that would set up the winning touchdown drive.

Logan took over on their own 39-yard line with less than ten minutes to play.  Kevin Call, a workhorse all game long, carried on Logan's first seven carries to open the drive.  Call didn't score on the series, a big hit from Boggs knocked Call out of the game temporarily, but it wasn't a problem as a Justin Coakley sweep from seven yards was the difference maker.

Jackson had time for two more posessions, but unrelenting pressure from Stephen Spears, Tyson Kratzenburg, Cameron Kiger, Bryce Bumgardner, Cody Cook, and Jake Bowling helped shut down Jackson's spread offense.

All credit has to go to the Logan offensive and defensive lines.  Bruce Lehman, Jesse Wilson, Nick Amyx, Bryce Bumgardner, and Tyson Kratzenburg were the big boys on offense, while Bummy, Kratzenburg, Justin Vorhees, Bowling, Cameron Kiger, and Stephen Spears were the men on defense.

Logan linebacker Adam Stohs was solid all night, helping stop the JHS running game at the line of scrimmage and pressuring the quarterback.

Senior Kevin Call led all rushers with 29 carries for 139 yards.  Justin Coakley added 33 yards on 11 yards rushing and 2 catches for 53 yards including both LHS touchdowns.  Soph. signal caller Michael Angle completed 7-18 passes for 111 yards.  Logan was 0-3 passing in the second half.  For the fourth straight game Angle was not intercepted, and he threw his third TD pass of the season.

Logan will host 1-5 Marietta this Friday on the Hilltop for homecoming.  The Tigers beat Marietta 35-12 at Warren last week, picking up their first win.  Kick-off is slated for 7:30 at Bill Sauer Field.

PASSING
Jackson: Marcus Boggs 1-10-1-0TD-1INT
Logan: Michael Angle 7-18-111-1TD-0INT

RECEIVING
Jackson: George Lowery 1-1
Logan: Justin Coakley 2-53 TD, Kevin Call 1-27, Lucas Wright 3-26, Nick Walter 1-5