2004 season preview
2004. Now or never for the 2005 senior class. This years senior class was one of the most highly touted groups since the class of 2001. However, after consecutive 6-4 seasons, its now or never for this group of Chieftains to move themselves into history books by bringing home an SEOAL championship and the playoff appearance that should come with it. But in order for this team to reach that goal, the Chieftains will have to make it through the gauntlet of 4 OCC schools in the first five games, including opening at home against Lancaster and ending that stretch at Gahanna-Lincoln. The Chieftains return 18 starters and hope that the experience should put them in position to bring home an SEOAL championship.
Like all great Chieftain football teams, the Purple and White will need to lean on the defense, and with 9 returning starters the defense should hold up their end of the bargain. The heart of the Logan defense will be Junior Middle Linebacker Justin Coakley (58-190lbs). Coakley started at defensive tackle last season, but makes the move to his original position. He has been a stopper in the middle during preseason scrimmages. Flanking Coakley will be Senior Justin Pack (510-185lbs), an All-SEOAL and 1st team All-SE District selection, and Junior Kevin Call (59-180lbs). Kevin Call also played out of position on the defensive line most of last season, and should see an increase in production now that he is back at linebacker. The defensive backfield is one of the best in recent memory at LHS. Corners BJ Hughes (60-165lbs) and Patrick Howe (60-175lbs) are both two-year starters, and safeties Jordan Walsh (59-175lbs) and Tory Kratzenburg (60-170lbs) started or played significantly all last season. Kratzenburg was an All-SEOAL selection in 2003. The defensive line returns 4 starters, including 64-300lbs defensive tackle Rob Rose. Ends Jake Wolfe (62-185lbs) and Nathan Wagner (61-185lbs) are both returning starters, as is Noseguard Jacob Bray (58-180lbs). Cole Resler will also see some snaps at end, and Juniors Stephen Spears (54-140lbs) and Adam Stohs (57-170lbs) will both see time at noseguard. The other tackle spot will be played by both Jared Walton (62-220lbs) and Junior Levi Myers (62-270lbs). The defense will once again base out of a 5-3, but with the depth the Chieftains have in the backfield, look for them to not hesitate to drop to a 4-3 or a 5-2 with two safeties, especially against pass happy teams Gallipolis, Zanesville, and Marietta.
On offense Logan exploded during the second half of 2003, mostly behind the running of Austin Rohr. Austin is gone, but 3 offensive linemen return, as does every other starting skills player. Junior Fullback Justin Coakley will be the main man on offense this season. The 58 190lbs fullback was clocked at 4.5 in the 40 and is one of the teams strongest players. QB Corey Spackey (60-200lbs) has had a great preseason, no interceptions in two scrimmages and 2 TD passes. Corey has looked comfortable with the football and has made some nice reads and delivered the football to open receivers. Spackey should have some talented receivers to get the football to. Logans three top receivers from last season all return, and two of them are two-year starters. Seniors BJ Hughes, Patrick Howe, and Tory Kratzenburg are all quick targets that know how to catch the football. Hughes and Kratzenburg both can make some nice moves after catching the football, and Hughes has the speed to win a foot race to the endzone. Patrick Howe is one of the Chiefs most reliable targets, and he has the strength to break tackles as well as the speed and athleticism to outrun them. Tight End Cole Resler (62-230lbs) is another two-year starter. Hes an outstanding blocking end, and he runs sharp routes and is a nice target over the middle. Jake Wolfe will also play some time at TE; Wolfe is quicker and will probably be seen more in passing routes. The offensive line will have size on their side, but are on the short end of the experience stick. Senior Jared Walton (62-220lbs) is a two-year starter and was an HM All-Ohio selection last season as a Guard. Walton will be the leader of the offensive line, and will be joined by Seniors Joe Howdyshell (60-260lbs) at Tackle and Senior Ray Robinson (61-185lbs) at Guard. Junior Bruce Lehman (64-280lbs) is a returning starter at Center, and Junior Levi Myers (62-270lbs) will play at both tackle and guard. A duo of sophomores will also rotate along the offensive line. Jesse Wilson (510-230lbs) and Bryce Bumgardner (58-235lbs) will both see some time at Guard, and Wilson has also spent time at Center and Tackle. Finally we come to tailback, where two players should carry the load while playing both ways. Junior Kevin Call and Senior Justin Pack will both split time at tailback; both are hard runners who have good vision. Call has more breakaway speed, but Pack runs with a little more strength. Look for the offense to once again run its way to victory, but the passing game should not be as anemic as it has been the past two seasons. If the offensive line can give #7 time, Hughes, Howe, and Kratzenburg will get open and Spackey will get them the football.
This Logan team has something to prove. Back-to-Back 6-4 seasons have left a sour taste in their mouth, and they are ready to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight. The tools are there for a successful 2004 campaign. A challenging schedule will force the purple and white to play great every week, but if consistency is achieved, Logan should have a great football season.