Sports
Game Preview: Logan Ready For Battle With Zanesville
< < Back to game-preview-logan-ready-battle-zanesvilleIn 2013, the Zanesville Blue Devils steamrolled through the Logan Chieftains, gaining 672 total yards in a 58-13 win against Logan.
This year’s matchup looks like it could shape up much differently, as both Zanesville (2-5) and Logan (3-4) have struggled to find their stride this season.
Cheiftains coach Billy Burke has claimed the 2014 Chiefs are just as competitive, if not better, than their SEOAL title team last year. But coming off of a big loss to Jackson, they will have to clean up their play and utilize their slick offensive machine in order to pull away with a win.
Throughout the season, Logan has lost an average of 38.6 yards per game due to penalties. Zanesville has also tripped up and allowed an excessive amount of flags to touch the ground in their last effort against New Philadelphia. This game could be decided on who plays the cleanest.
Junior quarterback Lane Little heads the Chieftains offense and has solid receivers in Chance Cox and Isaiah Smith. Little completes more than 50 percent of his passes and has thrown for 1,217 yards thus far in 2014. If Little can establish himself early against Zanesville, the fraught Blue Devil defense will have a tough time keeping up.
Another important cog of the Chieftain’s offensive game and a key player to watch on Friday is Bryce McBride. McBride averages over eight yards per carry and has the ability to truck through opponents. Coach Burke has previously mentioned how Logan’s mixture of the ground and air attack is the team’s finest facet.
Logan’s offense will not go unmatched, however. Zanesville senior quarterback Justin Murphy commonly finds his receiver Alessio Amato for favorable yardage. Although the pair has struggled to produce against a tough defense so far this year, the duo could light a spark on Friday.
In order to stop Murphy and Amato, Logan’s defensive players will have to lock down the Blue Devils. Chieftain linebacker Casey Philips is known to get a hand on the ball. His toughness will be needed in order to thwart Murphy’s arm.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday in Logan.
'Gridiron Glory' airs every Friday night at 11:30 p.m. on WOUB. You can follow the show on Twitter @gridironglory, like the Gridiron Glory page on Facebook, and follow along on Instagram @woubsports. You can also join the conversation throughout the season by using the hashtag #GridGlory!