Chiefs come up just short at Fulton Field

Friday nights Varsity football opener was another hard fought contest in a fiercely competitive renewed rivalry.  Lancaster moved it's record to 1-0 on the season, thanks to the swift-footed Josh Figgins.  Figgins, a senior captain returned a Jesse Wilson punt 57-yards before being knocked out of bounds by Wilson on the 5-yard line.  The return set up the only score of the football game.

The contest was plagued by turnovers and inconsistency on the offensive side of the football.  Logan and Lancaster combined for 5 fumbles and two interceptions.  Logan was victimized by 3 lost fumbles, a big factor in their heartbreaking loss.  During one segment late in the third quarter, the teams traded turnovers on three straight plays.  Lancaster fumbled on the their own 44-yard line, but fumbled on a run of 9 yards and Logan made the recovery at their 44-yard line.  A fumbled snap turned the ball right back over to the Golden Gales.  The comedy of errors wouldn't end there, as Logan's Josh Clifton picked off a deep ball destined for Figgins.  Logan was unable to capitalize however, being forced to punt after just 3 plays.

Logan's offense ran 51 plays to Lancaster's 48, but neither offense put together a winning effort.  The longest drive of the game was a 9-play drive by Logan midway through the fourth quarter.  Logan also had an eight yard drive, while Lancaster's longest effort was 6-play drive, which the equaled three times.

Logan's best scoring opportunity came early in the third quarter.  Logan's Sophomore quarterback, Michael Angle, connected with SR Nick Walter down the Logan sideline for 54-yards.  Coakley followed up the reception with 2 long runs, and Logan was set with a 2nd and 1 from the Lancaster 6-yard line.  Angle recovered his own fumble on 2nd down, and Kevin Call was stopped for a one yard gain on third down.  Logan, faced with a 4th and one from the Lancaster 6, went for the endzone.  Senior Kevin Call plunged over right guard and nearly crossed the five yard line, but after the pile cleared Logan was just short of a first down.

Lancaster's TD followed Figgins punt return, as Ryan Marcus scored on the first play following the return.  Marcus overpowered Logan's Clifton to put the Gales on top.  Lancaster had one other scoring opportunity.  Marcus ripped off a 31-yard run to get inside the Logan 25-yard line, but the Chiefs stopped the Gales on a fourth down option play that was defended perfectly by DE Michael Sexton.

It was a great effort by two defense who will have a lot of success this season.  Lancaster's Ryan Marcus led both teams, rushing 25 times for 121 yards and a TD.  Justin Coakley led Logan, gaining 45 yards on 10 carries.  Jay Stoughton, the Lancaster quarterback, efficiently ran for 17-yards on 6 carries.  Stoughton completed only 2 of 6 passes for just 9 yards.  Michael Angle had a strong debut, completing 7-15 passes for 92 yards.  Angle was intercepted on the final play of regulation on a desperation heave.  Nick Walter made 2 catches for 61 yards and Sophomore Lucas Wright made 3 catches for 17 yards.

Lancaster will travel to Massillon Jackson on Friday, while Logan will make their home debut for the Annual Hall of Fame game match-up.  Former Volleyball coach Deb Angle, football and track standout Mark Armstrong, baseball star Bob Burton, and football standout John Cosgrove will all be inducted into the LHS Athletics Hall of Fame.  Kick-off is slated for 7:30 at Bill Sauer Field.

PASSING
Lancaster: Kyle Stoughton 2-6-7-0TD-1INT
Logan: Michael Angle 7-15-92-0TD-1INT, Kevin Call 0-1-0-0TD-0INT

RECEIVING
Lancaster: Josh Figgins 2-7
Logan: Lucas Wrigth 3-17, Nick Walter 2-61, Josh Clifton 1-16, Justin Coakley 1-(-2)