2002 Season Preview
2002. Tradition doesn't graduate. Following the form I've used the last 3-years, I've given the 2002 football team a slogan to use for the football season. "Tradition Doesn't Graduate." In 2000 most of the team had been to the playoffs, but didn't have a win. They had "Unfinished Business." In 2001 the team had done it all, but were considered to be "rebuilding." The Chieftains proved that in Logan, we don't rebuild, we reload!" And now, the 2002 edition is out to prove tradition does not graduate.
Seventeen Seniors were on last years football team, and they made up 20 of the 24 Varsity starting positions. How do you fill in that many holes? Well you take a talented group of underclassman and add in one of the most-talented Sophomore classes in recent memory, and you have the makings of a solid football team. That's exactly what Logan's done for 2002.
The offense loses one of the best running backs in Logan history, Derek Harden. Harden set the school record for yards in a season in 2000 as a Junior, and then rushed for over 1200 as a Senior. He also set the school record for TDs in a season during 2000 (29) and for a career in 2001 (50). Also gone is FB Matt Mong who led the team in receiving yards in 2001, along with coming in second in rushing yards. The passing game, namely QB Alex Penrod and receivers Jeremy Coakley and Chaz Kline depart as well, and just when you thought I couldn't name anyone else, TE Max Resler, Guards Nic Irwin and Colt Thompson, AND Center Matt Fullerton all are lost to graduation as well. So who DOES return? Well WR Jason Dicken, who earned all-district honors in 2001 is back, as well as Tackles Trevor Emerson and Tyler Edgar.
But, there are plenty of fresh faces to throw into the mix. Don't count the Chieftains out just yet. The offensive line will need to be a solid foundation for the 2002 Logan Chieftains to succeed. The Chieftains will be led upfront by two returning Tackles, 2-year starter Trevor Emerson and the man who started last year, Tyler Edgar. Emerson (5'11 260), who has started in all 24 games during his Sophomore/Junior seasons, has played against the likes of OSU-Bound Simon Fraser and Tim Schafer, as well as Pitt-Bound Eric Fritz. Edgar(6'4 260), who started all 11 games as a Junior in 2001, will return again and with a year of work under his belt, is ready to establish himself as a dominant Tackle. At Center for the Chiefs will be Senior Kevin Rinehart(5'6 175). Rinehart moved to Logan from Mansfield prior to his Junior year, and started for the JV team in 2001. The Guards will both be fresh faces to the offensive line, but one of them is no new face at all. Defensive Tackle Tyler Wadsworth (6'0 221) will be going both ways this season, and is said to be the total replacement for Colt Thompson. Meaning he not only will get the job done on the field, but he'll be the team's leader as well. The other Guard spot is being heavily competed for. Two Seniors, Louis Boudreau (5'10 225) and Josh Jarrell (6'0 215) are two of the candidates. Junior Jacob Bookman (6'2 239) and Sophomore Jared Walton (6'2 209) are competing as well. Boudreau appears to have a nose up with a week to go, but any of the four candidates could find themselves starting VS New Lexington.
In the backfield, the Chieftains will be green at all three positions. Under center will be David Ellis, a Senior who has apparently won the quarterbacking spot outright. Ellis is big, (6' 183) and not as fast as QBs in the past, but throws a nice ball and apparently has a good grasp of the offense. The fullback spot is pretty much locked up to. Senior Josh Bailey (5'10 175) is the man their. He saw time at both FB and MLB on defense backing up Matt Mong in 2001. He's a great blocking back who is too shabby when he is handed the football. The tailback spot has seen some competition. Replacing Derek Harden will be tough, and it may take a combination of backs to replace him. Senior Noah Yates (6'0 175) got more carries last year than the other candidates, rushing 17 times for 69 yards. That gave him a 4.06 avg yards/carry. He is being challenged by Junior Austin Rohr (6'0 163). Rohr rushed 10 times for 181 yards and 4 TDs. He had two 40 plus yard TD runs and was clocked at 4.54 in the 40 at Football camp. But, don't forget the two Sophomore candidates. Justin Pack (5-10 162) and Ryan Kemper (5'9 156), both Sophomores, want to throw their names in the hat as well. Both were a part of the league champion freshman team in 2001. Look for one of the two upperclassmen to get most of the carries early, but as the season progresses the two Sophomores may earn more carries.
One place Logan has some experience is at the receiver positions. Jason Dicken, all 6'6 of him, is back again in 2002. An All-District selection a year ago, Dicken caught 9 passes for 184 yards and a team high 3 TDs. Seniors Stephen Caron and Jonathan Huntsberger may be in on some sets as well, but the Sophomores may be the players to talk about. B.J. Hughes (6'0 145) and Patrick Howe (5'11 152) have been all the talk this Summer, but Jordan Walsh (5'9 152) looked good in a scrimmage Tuesday night as well. All three have a good grasp of the offense and are ready to be playmakers at the Varsity level. The tight-end spot belongs to Junior Matt Carlton (6'1 176). He will be joined by Sophomore Cole Resler (6'1 210) in double tight-end sets.
The offense is very green, and may take a couple of weeks to settle in. The offensive line may hold the key, but a running back must emerge also. If things come together though, the offense could be potent, especially with 6'6 Dicken outgrabbing opposing DBs.
The defense, again in 2002, is expected to be the crutch for the Logan football team. The last several years the "Purple People Eaters" have been suffocating offenses all over SE Ohio, and don't expect that to change. The Chieftain "D" was hit hard by graduation though, and the Chiefs must have guys step up. All three linebackers, Chad Kratzenburg, Derek Harden, and the man in the middle Matt Mong were lost to graduation. Between the three of them they combined for 326 Tackles, including 28 for loss and 11 sacks. Gone also is an entire defensive backfield which was led by Jeremy Coakley. Coakley recorded 37 tackles from his corner back spot, broke up 8 passes and recovered 2 fumbles. Chaz Kline, who missed part of the 2001 season due to injury, was responsible for 3 pass break-ups, 3 interceptions, and 2 fumble recoveries himself. And finally safety Mike Brandon came out of no where to record 77 tackles and one interception. The D-Backfield will need to be totally rebuilt. Finally, the D-Line was hit hard as well. Two three-year starters, Colt Thompson (Def. Tackle) and Trent Woodgeard (Noseguard), are gone as well. and last but not least, Def. End Max Resler will need to be replaced as well. Once again a lot of spots to fill, but there's always someone on the sidelines waiting for their chance to shine.
We'll start on the defensive line where the most experience returns. Senior Jason Dicken, an All-District selection in 2001, came out of nowhere to dominate offensive lines all season. He recorded 61 tackles, 23 for loss including 8 sacks. He also recorded 5 pass break-ups, an interception, 6 fumble recoveries, and 2 blocks. He'll be a force to reckon with in the SEOAL during 2002. Tyler Wadsworth, a two-year starter on the defensive line returns as well. Wadsworth was responsible for 41 tackles and 6 sacks in 2001. The other defensive end position will be manned by Junior Matt Carlton. Carlton (6'1 176) lettered in 2001 chalking up 18 tackles and an interception. The other defensive tackle spot has no clear-cut favorite, but look for Senior Trevor Emerson to get some time there early. The loser of the Noseguard battle and Sophomore Jared Walton (6'2 209) will get a shot at DT as well. The noseguard spot features a great battle for PT between Senior Hickory Ogle (5'10 164) and Junior Kasey Yates (5'10 189). Yates is a first year Varsity player while Ogle has been a part of the squad the past two years. If Ogle wins the noseguard spot, Yates could be a candidate for the open DT position.
The linebackers will be all new in 2002, led by Senior Josh Bailey. Bailey logged a lot of minutes in 2001 backing up Matt Mong. He logged enough minutes to record 35 tackles, 2 of them for loss. He also caused two fumbles. On the outside will be Juniors Steve Call (5'11 189) and Junior Josh Sturgell (6'1 185). Sturgell has looked good in preseason scrimmages while Call did not dress in the scrimmage on Tuesday. Sophomores Justin Pack and Ryan Kemper are going to see some time at linebacker as well, both players made some big plays during 2-a-days and Tuesday's scrimmage.
Finally, let's get to the D-Backfield which will have to be totally rebuilt for 2002. Three Seniors will try and earn time back here, the first guy being Noah Yates. Yates filled in while Chaz Kline was out in 2001. He is a candidate for either the safety spot or cornerback. Senior Stephen Caron will probably start out the season #1 at one of the cornerspots. Caron saw limited action at the Varsity level in 2001, but was a two-way starter for the JV team. Finally Senior Jonathan Huntsberger will fight for time at the safety spot. Like Caron, Huntsy saw only mop up duty at the Varsity level, but started both ways for the JV team. Junior Austin Rohr has thrown his name into the mix at Corner or Safety, and will get a look as well. Finally the Sophomores, namely B.J Hughes and Patrick Howe are fighting for playing time as well. Look for them to share one corner spot early in the year until a clear favorite can be chosen.
The defense will need to come together as a unit quickly, but all the talent is there to create a solid "D." Look for the defense to be a strong point for the Logan football team, and to keep them in a lot of football games. Like they did in 2001, the defense will need to help set the offense up for the team to succeed.
The bottom line of the 2002 season comes down to leadership. A team is only as strong as it's leaders. A solid group of leaders must emerge to replace 17 Seniors. Tyler Wadsworth, Jason Dicken, and David Ellis are a good start. Let's hope more guys continue to emerge.
The Chieftains play a tough schedule in 2002. In week one New Lexington features a Mr. Football candidate and are a team with playoff aspirations. In week two it doesn't get any easier as the Buckeyes of Nelsonville also return many key players, and are also looking to be playing beyond week 10. The Zanesville Blue Devils are always a tough opponent, and 2002 will be no different. In week 4 SEOAL play begins when Jackson comes calling. The Ironmen, like the Chiefs, are inexperienced, but you know Jackson will never roll over. In week five defending division three runner-up Columbus Desales is the opponent. Desales plays the toughest schedule in the state of Ohio, and for them Logan is a must win game. In week six SEOAL play starts up again with the Warren Warriors. Under new leadership Warren hopes to be competing for the SEOAL crown in 2002. In week seven the Point Pleasant Big Blacks visit Bill Sauer Field. The Blacks are no longer young and inexperienced, and will be a tough game for any opponent. Week 8 brings the spread offense of Athens, led by Grant Gregory to the Reservation. It will be Senior Night, and the Bulldogs would love to spoil it for the Chieftains. Week nine takes Logan down to the river with a showdown against SEOAL favorite Marietta. The Tigers are still fuming from a last minute defeat a year ago, and revenge will be on their minds. And finally in week ten the Chiefs travel down to the river for a second straight week to battle the Blue Devils of Gallia Academy. The Gallians are another favorite for the SEOAL crown, and could need a win over the Chiefs to qualify for the playoffs.
The Chieftains will need leadership, some players to step up, and probably a little luck. But an SEOAL championship and playoff appearance are both definite possibilities for this football team.