The James Logan Courier

By Ronnell Coaster, Courier Sports Editor

A great game took place Friday, when the James Logan Colts took on San Leandro’s Pirates. Due to bad weather the game did get stopped at half time, but continued on Saturday the next day.

This game was interesting from the beginning, as it was a battle between the coaches of each team who were former partners and friends.

The game started with San Leandro Pirates winning the coin toss, but they gave the choice to the Colts to decide what they want to do. The Colts decided to receive the ball and let the Pirates kick off to them. Pirates went for a sneaky onside kick but was recovered quickly from the colts and kneed immediately.

The battle reached a stalemate because Logan Colts and Pirates weren’t able to secure a touchdown. As Colts gain the ball back from the Pirates they decided to hit a passing play. As the ball was snapped, Jeffrey Protho, 11th grade quarterback, looked for an opening and hits a 20 yard pass seized by Ferdows Wahab, 12th grader, running the ball in after the pass but tackled short before he could gain the touchdown. Now first and goal Protho looking for a pass, with no one open and him in danger of being sacked, runs the ball in for the first touchdown of the game. Also making the field goal gave the Colts the leading score of 7-0.

As second quarter begins, Logan got flagged on a passing play, at 10:08 in the clock on defense. This meant first and goal for the Pirates as they tried for the touchdown, Logan defenses pushed them back. Fonua Grover stripped the ball from David Vilingia of the San Leandro Pirates, giving Colts the ball back again. In just one play Logan took in a 70 yard touchdown giving us a score of 13-0, not including the missed field goal attempt.

The Pirates failed to get a touchdown yet again and were forced to punt the ball. However at the 50 yard line of the next play JJ Tillman took an interception from the Colts and grabbed them a touchdown. A flag was thrown on the play on the Pirates for blocking from the back. The Pirates did not receive the touchdown points, but got to keep the ball.

Pirates scored in the third quarter bringing them 8 points with the two-point conversion. Colts gained the ball again after the kick off from the Pirates. Protho, under pressure trying for a pass, with no one open and the other team rushing him he sprints the ball a good 25 yards and gains a first down for the team. The following play Siosifa “Joe” Fotu runs the ball the rest of the way to the touchdown breaking through Pirates defense, giving the Colts 20-8 including the field goal.

As plays go by, turnover for Pirates occur yet again. Jermaine "JJ" Jones, 12th grade, takes a pass from Protho but a flag was called on the play. On the next play about 15 yards from the touch down line, Protho gets the snap, sees an opening and guns for the touchdown as he is stopped one yard before the touchdown. Pirates trying for a blitz, Fotu on fire breaks through the defensive line to gain Logan another touchdown. Including the field goal Logan led 27-8.

As 4th quarter begins the Colts again gain control of the ball. From the other side at the 20-yard line the Almighty Fotu runs the ball 80 yards for a touchdown. With another field goal attempt good the score was now 34-8. The Pirates go for a passing play as Osa Aihie tips the ball trying to get, but reaches his arms out one more time and secures the ball for a nice catch, taking in a 15-20 yard pass.

On the next play Miles from the Pirates takes in a pass and grabs San Leandro their second touchdown. However as they tried to go for their field goal attempt Ahki Muhammad, 10th grade, blocks their attempt. Later Colts scoring another touchdown, give the game a score of 41-14. Pirates go for a hail mary but the attempt is thwarted and a flag was called for pass interference, giving the Pirates an automatic first down.
As Logan gains the ball back they let the time run out as we win the game 41-14.

“San Leandro did a great job of [maintaining] their offense of drive, but we also had a great defense of action. Logan answered when we had to,” said Coach Jon Nord.

This was a great game on both parts, but Logan having the home field advantage pulled through with their great offense and defense strategy. Come out and support our team next time as we defend our undefeated streak.