Defense lifts Logan in district opener

LOGAN - The Longhorns' high-octane offense continued to excel, but it was their defense that saved the day during their district opener against a strong Clayton team on Friday.

With Logan clinging to a 36-30 lead at halftime, its defense stopped the Yellowjackets on five straight possessions in the second half while the Longhorns scored four touchdowns en route to a 66-36 victory. Logan quarterback Brock Burns completed 10 of 20 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns, and he ran for another score. Longhorn running backs Christian Kotara and Park Strong combined for 193 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns as their team improved to 6-1 overall.

Clayton quarterback Jonoven Hidalgo completed 15 of 30 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns.

But the Yellowjackets' efforts frequently were short-circuited by penalties. Clayton (5-2) was flagged 18 times for 159 yards, including five times for pass interference. A member of the officiating crew was overheard remarking to a colleague it was the "most undisciplined" team he'd seen that season.

Logan coach Dwayne Roberts warned his team for weeks it would need to step up its efforts when district play began, and he was happy it did so.

"There's not much to gripe about," he said. "I was pretty proud of the guys. It was a hard game, and we played for four quarters."

Seeing his defenders burned by Clayton's speedy running backs and receivers during the first half, Roberts made some adjustments.

"We went from a three(-man) front to a four front in different formations, adjusting to what they were doing in the backfield. It really made a difference," he said.

"The defense really stepped it up. We needed that."

Clayton coach Dakota Montoya, who himself was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct while jawboning the referees about a ball placement, acknowledged it was his most-penalized game this season but was reluctant to talk about it.

"It was a great game; both teams played really hard," he said. "The ball didn't bounce our way this time. I'm proud of my boys for battling and fighting, working through a lot of adversity."

Logan drew first blood three plays into the game when Kotara scored on a 7-yard run. The touchdown was set up by Burns' 28-yard pass to Aydin Kotara, plus another 11 yards on a Clayton personal foul.

The Longhorns made it 14-0 on a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Strong. That score was set up by Clayton being flagged for pass interference and two personal fouls.

The Yellowjackets answered with a 7-yard TD reception by Sebastian Jimenez, set up by a 50-yard run by Jerry Archuleta. That made it 14-8.

On the next play from scrimmage, Burns connected with Kaeden Stoner for a 66-yard touchdown pass for a 22-8 Longhorns lead.

Jimenez broke loose for a 76-yard touchdown run a few plays later to close the gap to 22-16.

Burns answered early in the second quarter with a 10-yard keeper for a TD to make it 28-16.

Clayton finished a nine-play, 69-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run by Omar Valdez for a 28-22 game.

On fourth down and 1 at the 24-yard line, Clayton's defense anticipated a run by the 220-pound Strong. The Yellowjackets were correct in their hunch, but Strong burst through the line anyway and scored for a 36-22 Logan advantage with 7:06 left in the half.

Clayton fought back with a 69-yard touchdown from Isaac Quintana to close the gap to 36-30 with 1:35 left in the half.

In the Yellowjackets' opening play of the second half, they managed a first down to move the ball near midfield. Two incomplete passes and an illegal procedure penalty stalled the drive.

The Longhorns lost a fumble on their next play, but their defense held Clayton to a three-and-out.

Logan used 13 plays and 70 yards for their next touchdown. Devin Kotara caught a 7-yard scoring pass from Burns for a 42-30 lead.

On Logan's next possession, Strong caught a 4-yard TD pass from Burns on fourth down for a 50-30 lead with 11:02 left.

Christian Kotara scored on a 15-yard touchdown run with 6:09 left to give Logan a 58-30 advantage.

Kotara struck again with 3:40 left on a 19-yard TD. Clayton's defense seemed to stop him around the 10-yard line, but he kept pushing, shoving his would-be tacklers into the end zone. That made it 66-30.

Clayton ended its scoring drought with a 58-yard touchdown reception by Valdez, but that came against several Logan second-stringers with less than two minutes left.

Logan's next foe is No. 1-ranked Fort Sumner-House (5-0), which walloped district foe Tatum 44-8 on Friday. The 7 p.m. Friday game at Logan will be the Longhorns' Senior Night.

The Foxes' closest game this season was a 46-34 victory over non-district opponent Magdalena, which defeated Logan 32-20 on Sept. 9.