Grizzlies maul the Bobcats

Image: Jorgen McKenna blocks

Jorgen McKenna blocks (Corey Burger)

The Logan High School Grizzlies rolled into Smithfield, scored first and last, handing Sky View their second region defeat in as many weeks beating the Bobcats 35-14.

In a win over the Bobcats, the Grizzlies move to 5-1-0 Overall (2-0-0 Region) and slide into the 25th spot in the Deseret News’ Top 25 teams in Utah. Behind the tandem quarterback attack of DJ Nelson and Luke Falk the Grizzlies racked up an impressive 378 yards of offense on the night. Nelson was 9-for-12 with 119 yards in the air and a couple of touchdowns, while adding 132 yards on 21 carries. Nelson accounted for four of Logan’s scores, passing for a pair of TD’s and rushed for two more. Falk went 12-for-19 matching Nelson with 119 yards passing, tossing a TD of his own.

It was another rough outing for the Bobcats as they struggled to get going in the first half, only able to manage about 89 yards of offense, on 21 plays from scrimmage in 5 possessions. Senior quarterback Gabe Anderson in his poorest showing of the season went 4-for-7 and only put up 49 yards passing, while throwing 2 interceptions in a game for the second week in a row. The leading rusher on the team, generally accounting for more than 100 yards per game, Anderson was also shut down on the ground only managing 47 yards rushing. Anderson’s lower numbers were due in large part to being replaced for most of the second half by sophomore quarterback Nick Carver who had a pretty good night. While he didn’t do much in the rushing game, when it came to passing, Carver was 10-of-17 for 132 yards. Carver moved the offense meticulously down the field and got the Bobcats in position for their two scores. Conspicuously absent from the Bobcats offense was this seasons backup quarterback, Jason Oliverson. Head Coach Craig Anhder chose to go with Carver instead, who in his play breathed new life into the offense while he was on the field. This leaves the Sky View faithful to wonder who will take the majority of the snaps next week.

Defensively the Bobcats gave up 378 total yards to the Grizzlies. While they struggled to stop Logan on the ground or in the air a few Bobcats were pretty productive. After a less than stellar night last week against the Box Elder Bees, Jaren Balls had 5 solo tackles and 6 assists, while hurrying the Logan QB’s 10 times, and also causing a fumble. The always active and determined play of Jordan Nielson accounted for 4 solo tackles and 6 assists, and got pressure on the QB 5 times.

Last week’s lack-luster performance on special teams was a bit better this week. Jordan Nielsen’s punts went for an average of 46 yards, of which none were returned, and the special teams did not give up the costly turnovers of a week ago.

In the first time in Anhder’s tenure the Bobcats find themselves in jeopardy of missing the state playoffs, unless they can make the needed adjustments. The Bobcats will most likely need to win the rest of their games to finish 3-2 in region, and have a shot at postseason play. Sky View will have their hands full traveling to Ogden High also 1-5-0 Overall (0-2-0 Region) next Friday. The following week Sky View will host Bonneville 2-4-0 Overall (1-1-0 Region), in the Bobcats last home game of the season. The following week will be a huge test for Sky View as they travel to play Deseret News’ 7th ranked team in the Mountain Crest Mustangs 5-1-0 Overall (2-0-0 Region).

The mystery word of the game last night was “swagger” meaning a confident, aggressive gait or manner, something that has been missing from the Bobcat team the last couple of weeks. Will Anhder and crew be able to right the ship and get Sky View on track to salvage their season? How will the young men respond to this latest setback? Will they find the heart and soul needed to win out? These and many more questions will be on the minds of the Bobcat fans this week.

This “Band of Brothers” will need to regroup, dig deep, and be the team they are capable of being next week when they travel to Ogden to face their second batch of Tigers this season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

Stats

Game 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Logan 14 6 8 7 35
Sky View 0 0 14 0 14

First Quarter

Logan: Kirby Olsen 6 yd. Pass from DJ Nelson (Jacob Thompson-Kick) 5:15

Logan: McKay Horsley 5 yd. Pass from Luke Falk (Jacob Thompson-Kick) 1:48

Second Quarter

Logan: Beau Artist 20 yd. Pass from DJ Nelson (Jacob Thompson-Kick Blocked) 7:54

Third Quarter


Sky View: Gabe Anderson 4 yd. Run (Josh Egbert – Kick) 8:30

Logan: DJ Nelson 2 yd. Run (DJ Nelson-Run 2 Pt. Conversion) 6:12

Sky View: Don Corbell 22 yd. Pass from Gabe Anderson (Josh Egbert-Kick) 0:00

Fourth Quarter

Logan: DJ Nelson 40 yd. Run (Jacob Thompson-Kick) 9:18

Individual Stats

Passing: Anderson: 4-of-7 for 49 yds., 1 TD, 2 Int’s.; Carver: 10-of-17 for 132 yds.

Receiving: Corbell: 5 Catches for 67 yds., 1 TD; Martin: 3 Catches for 66 yds.; Hill 2 for 20 yds.; Jensen 2 for 14 yds.; McKinley 2 for 14 yds.

Rushing: Anderson: 13 carries for 47 yds., 1 TD; Jorgensen: 7 carries for 19 yds.; Carver: 4 carries for -8 yds.; Hill: 1 carry for 6 yds.

Kick Off: Wells: 3 Kicks 55 yds., 33 yds., End Zone

Kick Return: Gero: 1 for 19 yds.; Wells: 1 for 41 yds.

Punts: Nielsen: 4 Punts 36 yds., 52 yds., 28 yds., 68 yds. (Avg. 46 yds. – No Punts Returned); Anderson: 1 for 23 yds. (No Return)

Team Stats


Logan (5-1-0 Overall / 2-0-0 Region): Passing: 234 yds.; Rushing: 144; Total: 378 yds.; 22 – 1st Downs; Penalties 5 for 30 yds.

Sky View (1-5-0 Overall / 0-2-0 Region): Passing: 181 yds.; Rushing: 64 yds.; Total: 245 yds.; 15 – 1st Downs; Penalties 6 for 48 yds.