By Spencer Waugh
Logan Daily News

ZANESVILLE — For the first time in nearly a decade, an unbeaten (5-0) Logan team will square off against an unbeaten opponent (5-0 Zanesville) in the second half of the season.

The last time the Chiefs did so was when Jackson came to Logan in 2000 for a meeting of 8-0 teams.

Needless to say, Zanesville comes to town posing one of the stiffest regular-season tests Logan has seen in recent memory.
The Blue Devils are unbeaten and largely unchallenged, tallying wins over rival Newark (51-6), perennial state power Licking Valley (29-13), Wheeling Park (28-0), Chillicothe (14-7), and Beaver Local (49-7).

Zanesville coach Chad Grandstaff, in his third season at ZHS, has compiled an 18-8 overall record that includes a 2007 playoff appearance, the school’s first since 1998.

Despite a 5-5 record a year ago, the Blue Devils nearly upset Logan in a close 16-14 game played at Logan Chieftain Stadium. Zanesville returns 13 starters from that team.

The Blue Devil offense is averaging 34 points per game and has shown tremendous balance with an average of 146 yards coming on the ground and 136 through the air.

Leading the Blue Devil offense is quarterback Cole Hudson (6-4, 205). The senior southpaw has completed 47 of 66 passes for 683 yards with 10 touchdowns against only one interception.

Classmates Cory Harris (6-1, 150, senior) and Michael Lynn (5-10, 155, senior) lead the Blue Devil receiving corps. Harris leads with 19 catches for 414 yards and three touchdowns while Lynn adds 17 receptions for 156 yards and a team-high five scores. Allen Harris (6-4, 165) is next in line with four grabs for 31 yards.

The Blue Devil ground attack is led by senior tailback Kyle Gladden (5-11, 195). Gladden missed last week’s game with Beaver Local, and his status for Friday night is unknown. Despite playing in only four games, Gladden leads ZHS with 392 yards and five scores on 71 carries, giving him a 5.5 yards per-carry average.

Gary Ransom (5-11, 200, junior) is the top backup to Gladden and has run for 105 yards and a score on 17 carries, giving him over six yards per rush. Richard Gibson (5-9, 205, senior) is the Blue Devil fullback and has two touchdowns and 96 yards on 14 carries.

Up front, Logan won’t have to deal with the bulk they have seen against teams like Pickerington North or Ironton; however, that doesn’t mean the Blue Devils won’t be as fundamentally sound or just as big an obstacle.

Three starters are back from the team that nearly upset Logan a year ago, including both tackles. Jordan Paul (6-3, 215, senior) and Zachary Savage (6-3, 260, junior) are the tackles, Christopher Sims (6-0, 221, senior) and Jacob Masterson (6-1, 220, junior) are the guards, and Shaun Berry (6-2, 215, senior) is the center. Levi Krouskoupf (6-0, 230, junior) provides depth up front.

Defensively, the Blue Devils have been equally impressive, holding opponents to only 6.6 points and just 146 yards of offense per game. The Blue and White will line up in a 3-3 stack defense, which features three safeties who can help in pass coverage or blitz to cause confusion up front.

The defensive line is led by ends Spencer McGlade (6-0, 175, senior) and Anthony Smith (5-11, 200, junior) and nose guard Kaleb Mohler (6-2, 217, senior). Although undersized, the speed and quickness of the front three have given opposing offensive lines fits.

In the linebacking unit, Ransom is a leading tackler and plays in the middle. Paul plays on the outside along with Jordan Durham (5-9, 185, senior).

In the secondary, Harris and Lynn play cornerback and have combined for three interceptions. Braily Blair (5-10, 190, junior) leads the Devils with three interceptions and plays strong safety along with Talen Hutchison (5-11, 190, junior) with either Gladden, Jaren Cooper (5-10, 175, junior) or Kade Haddox (5-11, 140, sophomore) at free safety.

One major area of strength for the ZHS is special teams. Despite the loss of placekicker Noah Baldwin to a season-ending injury, Paul has taken over placekicking with Lynn handling the punts.

In the return game, Lynn is averaging over 25 yards per punt return with one TD and also has a 62-yard kickoff return. Harris averages 59 yards on two kickoff returns with a touchdown.

Spencer Waugh of loganfootball.com offers his scouting report of the Chiefs’ opponent every week in The Logan Daily News.