Chiefs Commit Too Many Mistakes in Loss to Strong Westerville South Team
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Mistakes will kill any football team. Mistakes against a better football team, will usually land you in hot water.
The Logan Chieftains were short two key defensive players, but in the end it was the offense's inability to successfully move the football that proved to be the difference.
The Chieftains shot themselves in the foot, committing 5 turnovers (3 INTs, 2 Fumbles). Those turnovers proved costly, especially the two fumbles in the first half.
The Chieftains held the Wildcats scoreless for the first half until the 5:00 minute mark. It began with a fumble by QB Corey Spackey whe he was hit while rolling out. The fumble gave the Wildcats the ball on the Logan 22 yard line.
The Wildcats proceeded to first and goal from the 8, the Chiefs held until third down, and that's when Freshman QB Rocco Pentello avoided Chieftain pressure and scrambled for the games first score.
On the next posession, Corey Spackey again found himself in trouble, while fading back to avoid pressure, he tried to throw the ball away, while doing so, he was hit, and the ball was thrown backwards. This is a lateral, and the ball rolled out of the side of the endzone for a safety.
On the next play a great fake by Pentello and Griffin allowed Pentello to roll to a 40 yard TD run.
The Chiefs had one great scoring opportunity in the 3rd quarter, trailing 15-0. Logan's Stephen Spears busted through the Wildcat line, and blocked a Wildcat punt. The Chiefs were in business on the 11 yard line. But two plays later, Corey Spackey was intercepted by Nick Moore who returned the ball 60 yards. After the kick-off, South scored on a nice drive capped by an Elijah Griffin TD.
That exchange broke the Chieftain spirit.
The Chieftains lost Center Ray Robinson on the games first play to a dislocated shoulder.
The Logan defense is something special. The defensive line, playing only 4 men instead of the usual 5, was able to pressure Pentello enough to keep his throwing stats down. THat was led by Sophomore Justin Coakley and Spears. Jacob Bray was also a key contrubuter at Tackle. Nathan Wagner had an outstanding game on the end.
When Josh Sturgell returns (hopefully next week), the linebacking corps. will be in the same league as some of the Great LHS defenses. The D-Backfield held their own even without the services of Junior B.J. HUghes. Kevin Call played great at linebacker replacing Sturgell. Jordan Walsh and Tory Kratzenburg made some big plays at safety.
The offense struggled again, as Logan has now gone 13 quarters without a TD. The inefficiency of the offense cost the Chiefs this victory. Too many 3 and outs wore out a hard working and defense, and too many turnovers put the defense in a no-win situation.
This team is young though, starting 4 Sophomores on defense, and will improve every week. The score is ugly, but the future is not.
The Wildcat offense was led by Running Back Elijah Griffin who rushed for 146 yards and 2 TDs on 21 carries. Freshman QB Rocco Pentello completed 9 of 21 passes for 126 yards and 2 TDs, whil also tossing 2 INTs. 6'6 receiver J. Sharps had 7 catches for 109 yards.
It's time to get ready for Chillicothe.