Logan runs wild
Junior RB rushes for early 42-yard TD, adds 2 more scores as Merrillville rolls in sectional semifinal
Merrillville’s Lavarion Logan wanted to set the tone with his bruising style Friday night.
The junior running back succeeded.
Logan rushed for 117 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries as the Pirates topped visiting Crown Point 39-0 in a Class 6A Sectional 1 opener.
His 42-yard TD run opened the scoring just 1:25 into the game, and Merrillville led 16-0 with 8:33 left in the first quarter.
“We started great,” Logan said. “We had great preparation last week. The whole team was just really focused. That’s what got us the lead. My offensive line did a great job the whole time. I really appreciate them for that.
“That was the whole plan coming out, getting on them early. We did that perfectly.”
Merrillville (8-1) clicked in all three phases against the Bulldogs (4-3), going to its bench in the second half ahead of the sectional championship game against Lafayette Jefferson (10-0).
In posting the shutout, the Pirates limited Crown Point to 105 yards, with the bulk coming in the fourth quarter.
Merrillville also recorded two safeties on special teams. The Bulldogs kicked a botched punt snap out of the end zone, and the Pirates notched a tackle in the end zone on a kickoff return.
“In the middle of the season, we had a couple of weeks where we weren’t really happy with some of our coverage units,” Merrillville coach Brad Seiss said. “The fact we were able to flip the field and create some points was good for us.”
Angel Nelson completed 14 of 17 passes for 160 yards and two TDs. JoJo Johnson had six catches for 68 yards, including a 26-yard TD. He also had a weaving 58-yard return on a free kick after Merrillville’s first safety, setting up Logan’s second TD.
Marcus Hardy had three catches for 40 yards, including a 23-yard TD. His score came after he couldn’t haul in a wouldbe TD earlier in the game.
“I tried to high-point the ball, and I didn’t do it,” Hardy said. “I highpointed that one and got it back. I was kind of bummed out after the first one.
“But the second one, I was happy because I scored for my team.”
Merrillville beat Crown Point 42-7 on Sept. 4. The Bulldogs had to cancel their last two games of the regular season because of coronavirus issues.
“We knew we were sitting in a really good spot, the fact we’d been able to play a lot of games and they hadn’t,” Seiss said. “And the last time we played them, we did a good job of taking care of business pretty early.”
The Pirates get a rematch with Lafayette Jeff after their 27-20 win in a sectional opener last season on the way to semistate.
“Us and them is the matchup most people thought would happen in the sectional championship,” Seiss said. “Coach (Pat) Shanley’s done a really good job there. He has a good football team. They’re a good football program.
“We were able to escape last year and beat them by a touchdown. I’m sure they felt they had a lot of opportunities to win the game. I anticipate a close, tough game again. … They’ve had their way with everybody they’ve played. We have one blemish. That’s what championship football is all about. At this point of the playoffs, it’s good teams playing good teams.”