Last season, the Logan Wildcats jumped out to 5-1 start, but losing star quarterback Jaxon Cogar and Brennan Goff in that fifth win altered the rest of the season. Still, the Wildcats battled hard down the stretch and qualified for the playoffs with a 6-4 record before falling to Winfield in the opening round. The Wildcats are hoping that adversity will help them heading into the regular season after losing several key seniors.
“That Nitro game was tough,” said Logan head coach Gary Mullins. “Not only did we lose Jaxon Cogar, we also lost Brennan Goff who was our best interior defensive lineman. From that point, our schedule got tougher. We had more adversity last year than any five seasons we’ve had together. These guys have been in the fire and had to fight their way out. We’re hoping that all of those trials last year will help us this year.”
KEY LOSSES: Jaxon Cogar, Aiden Slack, Garrett Williamson, Bryce Davis, Ryan Roberts, Brayden Chambers, Conner Mullins, Caden Baisden, Caden Noe, Brennan Goff, David Ellis, Cameron Allred
KEY RETURNERS: Landon Moore, Drew Berry, Adam Baisden, Bryce Lester, Caden Justice, Rylee Jones, Chase Hatfield and Kieran Tolliver
OFFENSE
The Wildcats have a bit of a quarterback battle heading into the season. Drew Berry, who performed admirably in the role when Cogar was injured, will battle Adam Baisden for the position. According to Mullins, whoever doesn’t win the battle will be in the mix at wide receiver.
At the running back spot, Elijah Ranson, Caden Justice and Chance Lewis will all be in the mix to see time.
At wide receiver, Justice, Rylee Jones, Chase Hatfield, Gage Green and Kieran Tolliver should all contribute to help out the Logan offense.
Braxton Carroll will be a utility player who sees opportunities at different positions for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats have Bryce Lester returning on the offensive line. He will be joined by Braxton Wolford, Landon Moore, William Tomblin, Rob Ball, Braxton Napier, Caleb Burgess, Dominic White and Brock Baisden should all see opportunities up front.
DEFENSE
On the defensive line, Moore, Lester, Tomblin and Ball are all expected to see major time. Wolford, Napier, Burgess, White, Caroll and Brock Baisden should all help up front as wll.
In the linebacker corps, the Wildcats will see contributions from Tolliver, Wolford, Ranson, Lester, Berry, Adam Baisden, Gavin Maynard and Carroll.
Several guys will compete for time in the defensive backfield. Jones, Chase Hatfield, Lewis, Justice, Brayden Lykins, Randal Nash, Braydon Craddock, Aiden Worman and Garrin Hatfield will all see opportunities for playing time.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Lester is returning as the long snapper for the Wildcats. He should be able to bring a lot of experience at the position.
Chase Hatfield will take over the kicking duties for Logan.
SCHEDULE
The Wildcats have a very challenging schedule this season. In addition to facing the normal Cardinal Conference foes, Logan will also play county-rival Man as well as a solid Clay County team.
“There’s nobody on our schedule that we think we can beat just by showing up,” added Mullins. “It’s just not that way in the Cardinal Conference. We will be playing strong teams every week.”
8/25 – @Man
9/01 – Sissonville
9/15 – @Poca
9/22 – Winfield
9/29 – Clay County
10/06 – Scott
10/13 – @Nitro
10/20 – Chapmanville
10/27 – @Wayne
11/03 – @Herbert Hoover
OUTLOOK
Logan will have a lot of new faces this season. The Wildcats lost a lot of talent, but the well is not empty. Look for Logan to battle hard and improve a lot as the season goes along. With some hard work, a trip to the playoffs is not out of reach.
