By Spencer Waugh
Logan Daily News

PICKERINGTON — As soon as time ran out in last season’s 35-14 win over Pickerington North, nearly every fan, player, and coach walked away knowing the Panthers may very well be the best team Logan would face this season.

Based on North’s 12-7 win over perennial playoff contender Dublin Scioto last week, North can bolster its chances to make its first playoff appearance this fall with a win over Logan on Friday night.

Sophomores Pat Elflein (6-foot-2, 240 pounds) and Luke Carothers (6-2, 240) were the main reason for optimism during the off-season. As freshmen a year ago, both players saw time on both offense and defense and proved to be more than capable despite their age.
Throw in Grove City transfers Chris Fuqua (6-4, 325, senior) and Steven Crane (6-5, 340, senior) and the Purple and Black have gotten even bigger and stronger along the front lines.

North will move from a passing-based spread offense to a more run-oriented pro-system, taking advantage of the team’s strengths. On offense, Crane and Carothers are the tackles, Elflein and Sam Shore (5-11, 265, senior) are the guards, and Alex Huettel (6-4, 250, junior) is the center.

The line averages 267 pounds per man. Kyle Schaeffer (6-1, 225, senior) will also see time on the offensive line.

Alec Lamancusa (6-2, 225, senior) is a dual threat at tight end, where the skilled blocker can also stretch the defense down the middle of the field with his pass-catching ability. Fuqua will line up at tight end as well, giving the Panthers another 300-pounder on the line.

In the backfield, Matt Ferguson (5-10, 180, senior) led North in rushing last week but Gianni Lynch (6-0, 205, senior) scored the Panthers’ only touchdown on the ground. Ryan Campbell (6-1, 205, junior) will be the fullback.

Under center, Sean Flaherty (6-1, 190, senior) is a returning starter. Flaherty passed for 1,151 yards and seven touchdowns last year. Flaherty also kicked two 32-yard field goals to produce the winning margin in last week’s win.

Eric Phillips (6-0, 165, senior) is the only returning player with 10 or more catches in 2008. Devin Lomax (5-10, 152, junior), Chad Benson (6-2, 170, senior), and Sam Marotta (5-11, 165, junior) are others who will see time at wide receiver.

Defensively, the Panthers are led by Fuqua on the interior line and Schaeffer at defensive end. Lucas Mason (5-11, 230, senior) will also see time on the interior line while Jalen Campbell (6-1, 265, senior) will start opposite Schaeffer.

Fuqua is a major college recruit while Campbell’s brother plays football at Bowling Green.

Jude Jatau (6-1, 195, senior) leads the linebacking corps, which also features Lynch, Justin Ogden (5-10, 165, senior) and Chris Owens (6-2, 225, senior). Ferguson, a starter at strong safety, will also see time at linebacker.

The defensive backfield is led by Phillips at corner and Ferguson at strong safety. Ferguson was the team’s leading tackler a year ago from his linebacker spot.

Justin Waugh (5-10, 155, senior) is the other corner and Tony Traylor (6-0, 175, junior) will be the free safety. Zach Olszewski (6-0, 175, sophomore) will also see time at defensive back.

Spencer Waugh of loganfootball.com offers his scouting report of the Chiefs’ opponent every week in The Logan Daily News.