Antioch junior Logan Lennon’s big-play ability in the triple-option offense is well-documented.
As the season has progressed, however, the Division I prospect has increasingly made his mark on a defense that will enter the postseason with back-to-back shutouts.
“He makes plays in all phases and has picked it up defensively,” Antioch coach Brian Glashagel said. “It also shows up on offense whether he’s running the ball, blocking or receiving. Any time he has his number called, he rises to the occasion.”
That certainly rang true during the Sequoits’ 21-0 Northern Lake County Conference win over Wauconda on Friday. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Lennon made his mark on the scoreboard by tallying the first two touchdowns on 10-yard and 8-yard runs.
Lennon also recovered a fumble in the second quarter for one of three takeaways for Antioch (9-0, 7-0), which won its second outright conference title in the past four years and finished its fourth undefeated regular season since 2016.
But perhaps Lennon’s most significant defensive contribution was single-handedly keeping Wauconda star senior wide receiver Luke Sickmeir well below his usual production level. Sickmeir, who entered the game with 34 catches for 780 yards and nine touchdowns, was limited to three catches for 31 yards.
“The game plan for me was to just follow (No.) 20 (Sickmeir) no matter what,” Lennon said. “I play safety, but really it was man with me on him tonight. I just wanted to make sure he didn’t break free.
More Top Picks Best Budget 4k Tvs For Bedrooms 2
“I’m just glad I did my part on defense. I did what I needed to do.”
Lennon’s success against Sickmeir took a big bite out of Wauconda’s offense. Lennon’s fumble recovery was clutch, too, coming after the Bulldogs entered the red zone trailing 7-0.
“I was about to tackle the runner, and the ball landed right in front of me,” Lennon said. “I just dove on it, made sure it was uncontested, grabbed it and brought it up to make sure everybody saw that I had it. It was a good moment.”
Moments like those look like they come easy for Lennon, but teammates know better.
“He’s a hard worker, and that shows up on the field during the games,” Antioch senior two-way starter Chance Verden said. “Him being able to do so much, it helps take a lot of stress and pressure off the other players. We’ve developed a good chemistry because we’re on the field together a lot.”
Lennon has only been a full-time defensive starter for a few weeks, but his elite athleticism more than makes up for any inexperience. He returned an interception for a touchdown during Antioch’s win over Lakes three weeks ago and made another interception in a win over Lake Zurich in Week 2.
“There are times when I could have done better, and I want to work on that because I really only started this defensive thing recently,” Lennon said. “So I want to make sure I’m perfecting my craft coming into the playoffs.
“I’ve got to credit the whole defense. As of Week 6, our defense has been great.”
The numbers back up Lennon’s assertion. Antioch has allowed a total of 13 points in its past four games.
“When they can’t get to the end zone, ultimately we can have one point and win,” Lennon said. “Our defensive line is monstrous, our linebackers want to hit and it’s really special how much our defense has come together. We talk, and we communicate. We don’t yell at each other. It’s so special what we have.”
That goes for Lennon on offense as well. Because senior running back Gavin Stone, who rushed for 109 yards, is assured of carries and junior running back Kelen Wilson, who had 65 yards, also has a good burst, Lennon doesn’t get as many touches as he would on many other teams. But he views that as an advantage for the Sequoits.
“We have such a talented offense that maybe I don’t see the ball as much, but I know that there’s a reason,” he said. “We have so many weapons that are more than capable of carrying the ball.
“Defenses don’t know who’s getting the ball, and even if they do, they can’t stop us. When we play together, we’re virtually unstoppable.”
But Lennon has consistently made the most of his opportunities. He scored twice and gained 67 yards on six touches against Wauconda.
“Every time I get the ball, I think to myself that this is my chance to be great,” he said. “Whether I get the ball 10 times, five times, I just know that every single time I get the ball, I want to make sure I capitalize on it.
“I tell myself when I’m in my stance, ‘I’m going to house this, I’m going to house this,’ and I think that really helps a lot because having a good mindset propels me.”
When Lennon finds open space with the ball, his acceleration and gliding strides make him very difficult to stop. His 34-yard run late in the fourth quarter flipped field position when the Bulldogs needed the ball back for any chance at a late rally.
Those skills also make Lennon a college prospect. He received an offer from Miami of Ohio over the summer and has racked up a lot of mileage since then.
“I’ve been to a different college every week, and tomorrow I’m going to California to visit San Diego State,” Lennon said after the game. “I’m seeing a lot of Ivy League schools. I went to Cincinnati, Kent State and a lot of FBS and FCS schools that I really like.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.