Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
After spotting Holy Cross an early 8-0 lead, Logan scored seven unanswered touchdowns in a 53-8 non-district victory in Midland, Texas, in six-man football.
The undefeated Longhorns ended the contest by the mercy rule early in the fourth quarter. In Texas six-man football, games are halted when the margin reaches 45 points.
Aydin Kotara threw three touchdowns passes for Logan. Running back Haden Judd scored three TDs and Stratton Schoonover tallied two.
The Longhorns’ defense frustrated the Crusaders for much of the game, forcing two turnovers and stopping several drives on fourth down.
“The boys were a little nervous to start,” Logan coach Dwayne Roberts said. “But once they settled in, the schemes on offense and defense worked really well.
“It was the first game where everything clicked on offense and defense,” he added. “It was a fun game to see the boys come together.”
Logan, ranked No. 1 in New Mexico six-man football by MaxPreps.com, improved to 7-0.
Holy Cross fell to 3-3.
The Crusaders drew first blood on their first offensive possession by using 11 plays to go 56 yards, culminating with a 7-yard touchdown run. Holy Cross converted the kick for an 8-0 lead.
Logan quickly answered back. The Crusaders attempted an onside kick, but Payson Nials quickly picked up the ball, dodged a couple of tacklers and was escorted by teammates for a 45-yard touchdown return. Mason Wallin kicked the PAT to tie it 8-8.
On their next possession, the Crusaders went for it on fourth-and-1 at their 18-yard line. The Longhorns tackled the ball carrier for a loss for a turnover of downs.
With a short field, Logan needed just two plays to score on a 15-yard TD reception from Kotara to Wallin, who also kicked the extra points for a 16-8 lead.
Schoonover next scored on a 30-yard sweep for a 24-8 lead midway through the second quarter.
Holy Cross moved the ball to Logan’s 27, but the Longhorns’ defenders stopped the drive when the quarterback’s pass fell incomplete on fourth-and-7.
Two plays later, Judd caught a 61-yard TD pass from Kotara for a 32-8 lead shortly before halftime.
Early in the third quarter, Holy Cross had a first down at Logan’s 3-yard line. But the Crusaders lost yardage due to a penalty on their next play, and Judd made an interception near the goal line to stop the drive.
Four plays later, the Judd scored on a 52-yard run for a 38-8 Logan advantage.
Early in the fourth quarter, Schoonover scored on a a 40-yard touchdown pass from Kotara to make it 46-8.
The Longhorns recovered a Holy Cross fumble at its 20-yard line on its next possession.
The next play, Judd scored on a rushing attempt to end the game with 9:24 left.
The Longhorns have a bye week before traveling to face district foe and defending state champion Roy-Mosquero at 7 p.m. Oct. 18.
Roy-Mosquero (4-2) lost to district opponent Elida 84-38 on Friday. The Blue, hampered by injuries, have lost two of three.