Note: Logan finished with an 7-4 overall record in 2014 and was third in Region 5 with a 4-2 record. It lost to Skyline 29-13 in the 4A first round.
LOGAN — Through the years, Logan coach Mike Favero has always tried putting together a tough preseason schedule to prepare his team for challenges down the road.
Last year that included games against Bountiful and eventual 5A runner-up American Fork. The year prior it included Northridge and Cottonwood.
Heading into the 2015 season Logan’s preseason schedule is as tough as ever, but these aren’t your ordinary, run-of-the-mill preseason games. They’re all rivalry games.
Despite dropping down to Class 3AA this season, Logan has loaded its preseason schedule up with old Region 5 foes Box Elder, Sky View and Mountain Crest.
Logan is 12-3 against those three teams the past five years, and despite dropping down a classification it doesn’t consider itself an inferior foe. The same goes for its opponents in the new 3AA classification.
“To me it’s insignificant, it’s irrelevant. A good football team’s a good football. We don’t view it as taking a step backward or taking a step down,” said Favero. “To me anybody that views a classification as inferior or superior based upon numbers, that’s pure bravado.”
Logan won the 4A state title with a perfect 14-0 record in 2011, and Favero stressed that trying to duplicate that feat in 3AA this season doesn’t become any easier by simply dropping down a classification.
Favero’s focus right now isn’t on the Grizzlies’ new region or classification, but rather getting his team ready for the season opener against Box Elder. It will be a great early test for a young offense and an experienced defense.
Logan’s offense returns only three starters and none on the offensive line. What little experience is returning, however, is vital.
After starting at running back most of last season, Hunter Horsley took over at quarterback in Week 9. In his three starts, he averaged nearly 300 yards of total offense and accounted for 11 total touchdowns.
The Grizzlies didn’t advance past the 4A first round, but Horsley got invaluable experience in those few games which has helped him immensely in preparing for his senior year.
“Hunter is a phenomenal athlete, a very comparable runner to D.J. Nelson and he throws the ball well. He’s a dual-threat guy and defensive coaches will tell you are hard to stop because you’ve got to stop the run and the pass,” said Favero.
Nelson rushed for 1,605 yards and passed for 3,489 yards in leading Logan to its undefeated state championship in 2011. It’s unrealistic to expect anyone at any school to approach those numbers, but from an athleticism standpoint Favero believes Horsley can cause defenses a ton of trouble.
Two of his starting receivers from last year are back, Hartman Rector and Spencer Corbett. Rector was second on the team with 735 yards and seven TDs, while Corbett had just 14 catches for 147 yards.
With newcomers Kaden Jones and Devin Palmaffy, Logan’s receiving corps expects to be very good, as always.
With a strong quarterback and skill position players, the offensive line just needs to follow along, and Favero is confident the group will.
“We feel good about where they’re at today. They’ve progressed throughout the summer both from a scheme standpoint and then a technique and strength standpoint,” said Favero.
Cade Parrish and Isaac Ruiz have emerged as two of the leaders of that line this summer.
Historically, Logan’s offenses have always been among the best in the state and with Horsley’s ability carrying the ball this year should be no different. Defensively is where this team can make the biggest strides.
Favero said his defense was good, not great last year, but with seven starters back he’d like to see that group dominate.
“The nice thing with seven guys back is the familiarity of the install, the scheme. You don’t have to spend a ton of time on that, so that’s really positive. And then you hope you’re a year smarter, stronger and more mature,” he said.
The strength of the defense is on the line and in the secondary with six of those seven returning starters. Levi Atuatasi, Troy Murray and Richie Mendez anchor the defensive front. Murray is the top returner from that group after recording 72 tackles and 12 sacks last year. He’s had a great summer and picked up scholarship offers from Nevada and Wyoming.
The secondary is led by safeties Clay Thompson and Colton Hatch along with cornerback Eric Laub. Hatch was third on the team last year with 83 tackles.
Chance Corless is the lone returning starter at linebacker, but he was an integral part of the group last year with 72 tackles.
Murray said that will the experience, the goal is limit all of Logan’s opponents to around 14 points per game this season.
Last 5
2014 — 7-4 (4-2 in Region 5 – 4A First round)
2013 — 11-1 (6-0 in Region 5 – 4A Quarterfinals)
2012 — 8-3 (4-1 in Region 5 – 4A First round)
2011 — 14-0 (5-0 in Region 5 – 4A Champions)
2010 — 8-3 (4-1 in Region 5 – 4A First round)
Logan Grizzlies at a glance
Coach: Mike Favero is entering his 17th year as Logan’s head coach with a 138-58 career record. He’s a graduate of Helix High in California.
Offense (3 returning starters; Spread offense)
Offensive coordinator: Mike Favero
Returning offensive starters
Hunter Horsley (QB)
Spencer Corbett (WR)
Hartman Rector (WR)
Offensive newcomers to watch
Cade Parrish (OL)
Isaac Ruiz (OL)
Kaden Jones (WR)
Devin Palmaffy (WR)
Colton Hatch (RB)
Taylor Baker (RB)
Josh Grove (RB)
Defense (7 returning starters)
Defensive coordinator: Frank Martin (2 years as assistant at school)
Returning defensive starters
Levi Atuatasi (DL)
Troy Murray (DL)
Richie Mendez (DL)
Chance Corless (LB)
Eric Laub (CB)
Clay Thompson (S)
Colton Hatch (S)
Coaches preseason 3AA North straw poll: First
Deseret News 3AA North prediction: First
Bottom line: During the past three seasons in 4A, Logan was eliminated from the playoffs in the first round twice and then in the quarterfinals the other year. It’s very unlikely that trend will continue in its new classification. Even though there are quality teams in 3AA, there's no question Logan’s been one of the best programs in 4A the past decade and it begins the 2015 season as the team to beat according to most in the revamped 3AA.
Logan coaching history
1999-current — Mike Favero (138-58)
1979-1998 — Perry Christensen (114-92)
1977-1978 — Mel Galli (16-5)
1974-1976 — Steve Malnar (3-24)
1964-1973 — Hal Lewis (42-51)
1963 — John Whatcott (4-1-2)
1947-1962 — Cliff Poole (81-52)
1927-1946 — R. Burns Crookston (76-51)
1924-1926 — unknown (7-11)
1922-1923 — Wilf Romney (9-3)
1920-1921 — Dixon Kapple (8-5)
1919 — unknown (1-3)
Deseret News Mr. Football recipients
2005 — Riley Nelson, QB
Deseret News MVPs the past 10 years
2011 — D.J. Nelson, QB
2007 — Jordan Ballam, LB
Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years
2014 — Chad Artist, WR
2013 — Chase Nelson, QB
2013 — Taylor Compton, WR
2013 — Angel Reyes, K
2012 — Luke Falk, QB
2012 — Hunter Ballam, DB
2011 —John Schmidt, RB/WR
2011 — Dalton Cole, OL
2011 — Caden Andersen, DL
2011 — Chasen Andersen, LB
2011 — Jake Thompson, K
2008 — Jeff Manning, QB
2008 — Stephen Gwynn, WR
2008 — Jared Theurer, OL
2008 — Ian Haderlie, DL
2007 — Jeff Manning, QB
2007 — Koddy Thigpen, LB
2007 — Duncan Olsen, DB
2006 — Kyle Dragnich, WR
2006 — Tanner Richins, OL
2006 — Josh Flores, SP
2005 — Kyle Dragnich, WR
2005 — Tanner Richins, OL
2005 — Junior Keiaho, DL
2005 — Pete Dien, DL
2005 — Cole Farmer, LB
2005 — Jeff Alley, DB
2005 — Josh Flores, SP
To view second team and honorable mention all-staters through the years, check out the Deseret News All-State Archives.
Deseret News prep editor and Real Salt Lake beat writer.