(Story by Taylor Kennedy)
LOGAN, W.Va. — The Logan Wildcats’ (5-2) resilient play upends the Scott Skyhawks (4-2) 21-12 during a rainy homecoming game. Logan extends its win streak to three while snapping Scott’s four-game win streak.
The Wildcats have now won six straight over the Skyhawks. Logan has won by an average of 14 points during that win streak. Gary Mullins, Logan’s 15th-year head football coach, moves to 8-7 all-time against Scott.
“I thought we executed the game plan well,” stated Mullins. “They [Scott] is going to fight you to the death every play and minute. I love playing them. That was all players. Some games coaches can have a lot to do with it. That one was all players who made great plays on the field. We had the best seat in the house to watch it.”
The Wildcats began the game with back-to-back scoring drives. Both touchdowns were thrown from senior Jordan Hayes to junior Aiden Slack.
Logan had a late opportunity late in the first quarter to make it a three-score game but failed to move the ball down the field. The Wildcats would also miss on another opportunity in the red zone early in the second half to extend their lead.
“Against good teams like Scott, you cannot miss,” Mullins stated on correcting missed opportunities. “They are not going to leave Aiden Slack alone. When they blow a coverage and they are 10-yard behind, we have to hit him. When we miss guys like that, in the past, it affects us the whole game. Tonight, they put it behind them and kept going.”
Scott would respond with back-to-back touchdown drives of its own. The first came from sophomore quarterback Matthew Frye with a fake handoff for a 25-yard score. Senior Cooper Martin would run one of his 23 total carries into the endzone late in the first half.
Logan’s defense forced a turnover on downs against Scott late in the game. The Wildcats would score off the forced turnover to seal the game. Logan held the Skyhawk offense to 94 total yards in the second half after allowing 226 in the first half.
“The defense has been good all year,” said Mullins. “Every game, they have given us an opportunity to win the game. A few years ago, they would give up 50-points per game then last season it was right around 30 points. You cannot beat anyone giving that many points up. They are the ones that have to make the plays and adjustments.”
Slack finished the game as Logan’s leading rusher and receiver. The 6’3 wide receiver finished with 106 total yards and two touchdowns. Mullins believes that he has the best player in Class AA.
“This is what he does every game,” Mullins stated about the junior. “He obviously doesn’t do it to the T, but he plays every play. He and Colton Goldie play every play. They both play offense and defense and even special teams. We feel like he [Slack] is the best player in AA football. We would not take anyone over him.”
The rain was a constant factor for both sides from bobbled snaps and fumbles. It rained heavily in the first half then slacked off through the third and majority of the fourth.
“We practice in the rain,” noted Mullins. “We have had 10 or 12 rain practices. I thought both teams handled it well. A couple of little things here and there, but the rain was not a huge factor.”
Scott running backs Landon Stone and Martin combined for 45 carries and 229 rushing yards, which accounted for 72% of the team’s total rushing total.
Scott will welcome Liberty Raleigh, and Logan will hit the road and take on the Poca Dots next week.