Displaying his leadership skills, Bryce Logan wasn’t afraid to be honest about Waubonsie Valley’s playoff streak getting snapped in 2017.
“After my ankle injury, that was probably a downfall to that year and it made it a little bit harder to come back,” Logan said.
All Logan could do was stand on the sideline and watch the Warriors’ last four games — a 1-3 finish that led to Waubonsie Valley missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
Now a junior and the undisputed No. 1 running back for the Warriors, redemption is squarely on the mind of the 5-foot-6, 170-pound dynamo.
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“Honestly, I’m really looking forward to it,” Logan said. “I think it’s going to be a big challenge on my part with my leadership skills.
“It’s really going to test me to see what I can do under the pressure and what I can do that can help my team get the victories that we need and want.”
In five games for Paul Murphy’s offense in 2017, Logan ran for 246 yards and five touchdowns on 43 carries.
With senior quarterback Jack Drow taking the reins of the triple-option offense from Tanner Westwood, Logan and senior wide receivers Harper Cole and Julian Cain will be there to help.
Cole’s 31 receptions for 413 yards and three TDs lead the returning group of receivers, while Cain added six catches for 106 yards and a TD.
“We have lots of playmakers across the field,” Cole said. “We have a great running back in Bryce and lots of skill guys who can make big, exciting plays. So I’m really excited to see how we jell as a unit.”
Cole and Cain will both pull double duty as members of the secondary for defensive coordinator Ron Griffin, joining senior safety Brandon Guido.
Guido produced 58 tackles and an interception last season, while senior linebacker Carson O’Donnell had 110 tackles and seven tackles for loss.
“Everyone busts their tails in practice,” Guido said of the secondary. “We’re going to be a good group. We’re going to be solid. Last year having Derric Lee and Nick Lamoso … that hurt, them (graduating). But definitely guys have stepped up this year, really have taken over their spots.”
With only three returning starters on defense, the Warriors will reconfigure behind speed throughout their front seven.
Sophomore Grayson Griffin and junior Ryan Mutz join O’Donnell as linebackers and junior Elijah Smith will help Guido, Cole and Cain in the secondary.
“How well do they jell, how well do they play together and how well do they tackle?” Murphy said. “If they do the things we’re coaching them to do, we have high hopes for that group.”
Blake Baumgartner is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.