ZANESVILLE — From 1991 through 1998, when Zanesville came up on the Logan High School football schedule, it meant one thing: a loss. Thrown together with a Blue Devil win in 1923, the Chieftains were 0-9 all-time against the blue and white.

But the tables have turned. Starting with a 20-14 overtime win over ZHS in 1999, the Chieftains have reeled off eight consecutive wins against Zanesville, and a win on Friday night would square the all-time series between the two schools at nine wins apiece.

But winning won’t be easy despite the Blue Devils 2-3 record so far. In Zanesville’s three losses, the winners are a combined 11-3 and include defending Division III state runner-up Licking Valley and a 24-21 loss to Chillicothe that saw the blue and white leading 21-7 in the fourth quarter before an epic collapse.
Leading the Blue Devils on offense is junior southpaw quarterback Cole Hudson (6-3, 205). Hudson is completing over 65 percent of his passes (67-of-102) and has passed for 812 yards and seven touchdowns while throwing only two interceptions. Hudson is also a threat with his feet, where he has gained 52 yards and scored a touchdown on 14 carries.

The blue and white receiving corps is led by senior J.T. Bunting (5-5, 145). The mighty mite has caught 27 passes for 356 yards and two scores. Juniors Cory Harris (6-1, 150) and Michael Lynn (5-10, 140) are also reliable targets as well. Harris has caught 13 balls for 150 yards and a score while Lynn has nine catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

Tight end Noah Baldwin (6-2, 195) is a reliable blocker as well as a great receiving threat in the red zone where he has six catches for 83 yards and two touchdowns.

Joining Hudson in the backfield are seniors Anthony Scott (5-7, 212) and Brydon Gillard (5-7, 173). Scott, the Blue Devil fullback, has run for 194 yards and four touchdowns on 35 carries, a 5.54 yard average. Gillard has a team-high 317 yards on 65 carries with one touchdown. Junior Kyle Gladden (5-11, 185) returned to the offensive side of the football two weeks ago and will see action at tailback.

Up front, the blue and white are small but have gotten the job done early in 2008. The only senior is center Zane Humphrey (5-9, 190). Juniors Jordan Durham (5-9, 180) and Neil Shreve (6-0, 190) are the guards and juniors Christopher Sims (6-0, 209) and Jordan Paul (6-3, 205) are the tackles. Junior Shaun Berry (6-2, 205) adds depth, as does junior Kaleb Mohler (6-2, 217) who is recently back from injury.

Defensively, the Blue Devils’ 5-2 defensive front is led by noseguard Scott and ends Spencer McGlade (6-0, 175, junior) and Bryan Brown (6-0, 185, senior). Sims and Berry are the tackles with Mohler adding depth to the front line.

Senior Seth Garrison (5-10, 173) leads the linebacking corps along with senior Wesley Tandy (6-0, 185) and sophomore Gary Ransom (5-11, 182). The defensive backfield is led by strong safety Bunting, the team’s leading tackler. Senior Kyle Melvin (5-9, 140) and Harris are the corners with Gladden at free safety.

Logan football historian Spencer Waugh of loganfootball.com previews the Logan Chieftains’ football opponent every Thursday in The Logan Daily News.

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