Chieftains Show Westerville South a REAL Div. 1 Team
There are only six undefeated teams remaining in Division 1, Ohio's largest High School football division. Logan is one of those six. The Chieftains came into the game being criticized for playing a weak schedule. Westerville South, the champions of the OCC Central Division, were being treated like the best QB/Reciever combo in the state. Rocky Pentello and Lance Moore had the numbers coming in, but a day after the game, their equipment is in boxes, and Logan is preparing for Pickerington.
Logan jumped out early, taking the opening kick-off and using a 58 yard touchdown pass from Joe Conrad to Ryan Wykle. It was just beginning. Logan forced Westerville into a three and out, and took over once again. Logan marched 72 yards on 14 plays ending in a nine yard Derek Harden TD run. Another Wildcat three and out led to a Westerville punt, and this time, thanks to a huge block from John Conrad, Ryan Wykle returned the punt 68 yards for the third Logan TD. Logan then led 21-0. A fumble by South receiver Lance Moore gave Logan the ball on the South thirty eight yard line. Conrad found Jim Bennett for 23 yards, and Derek Harden plowed in from one yard out spotting the Chieftains 28. Westerville South finally got on the board when Rocky Pentello found Steve Odom on a 23 yard TD. Logan came right back and answered as Logan saw the Conrads connect on a 54 yard touchdown. South fumbled the ensuing kick-off, it was recovered by Logan and after a penalty Logan had the ball on the Wildcat 10. Mong pranced in from three yards out, but fumbled before crossing the goal. Lucky for the Chiefs Jasen Ogle was there for the recovery and Chieftain TD. Logan led at that point 41-7. South found the end zone one more time in the first half when Pentello found Odom one more time for a Wildcat score. Logan went to the locker rooms leading 41-13.
The second half was all Derek Harden. The Wildcats had the ball first and drove to the Chieftains nine yard line. Logan held the Cats on first and goal and took over on the Wildcat 14. Logan dominated behind Derek Harden, chewing up a lot of clock time and finding the land of six for Derek Harden from 21 yards. Logan finished by driving 82 yards on 13 plays, using a lot of clock and ended the onslaught when Conrad found Jim Bennett on an 8 yard TD throw. The Wildcats scored one more on a clock eating drive ending with Pentello scampering in from one yard out. Logan finished with 442 total yards of offense compared with South's 236, over 100 yards below their average. Derek Harden is the Logan Locos player of the week breaking out of his slump and running for 175 yards on 23 carries while scoring 3 TDs. Joe Conrad had 219 yards on 11-16 passing. The win earns Logan to right with archrival Pickerington. The Tigers eliminated the Chieftains 39-23 in the first round a year ago. Tickets go on sale at 7:30 AM on Tuesday morning, and the game will be at Lancaster Fulton Field. Kick-Off is slated for 7:00 p.m.
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