WEST POINT — West Point linebacker Tyler Logan admits he has been waiting all season to see Clarksdale appear on West Point’s schedule. The reason, Clarksdale’s 39-34 victory against West Point last season has been eating at the senior for nearly 365 days.
“They came in and got us. Credit to them,” Logan said. “We didn’t expect to lose that game, but we did. It didn’t feel good, so I’ve been wanting to get back out there and get our win back.”
Logan and the Green Wave will have that chance at 7 tonight in Clarksdale. The matchup will give West Point (3-3, 0-1 Class 5A, Region 1) an opportunity to avenge last year’s loss and to bounce back from a 43-22 loss to Oxford last week in the region opener for both teams.
For West Point coach Chris Chambless, the latter is more important than the former.
“We just have to get right back to work and forget about the Oxford game,” Chambless said. “That was last week. Mistakes were made, but, at the same time, it’s a long season. You have to roll with the punches and keep moving forward.”
For West Point, moving forward means depending on Logan, one of two senior linebackers who has set the tone for a defense that has improved dramatically from a year ago. Along with inside linebacker Kadarius Forside, Logan, an outside backer, has helped the defense regain its swagger.
“I think we are a lot better,” said Logan, who has 31 tackles and an interception. “Last year, that wasn’t us. That wasn’t West Point football. This year, I think we are faster to the ball playing better as a team. If we stick together, we will keep getting better.”
Logan has been a key part of the resurgence on defense. The Green Wave allowed 34 points per game a year ago to 19 this season.
“Our linebackers are a big part of what we do,” Chambless said. “(Logan) is a huge part of that. He’s a smart football player, disciplined. He’s a very vocal leader, and you have to have that.”
Logan has accepted the challenge of being an emotional and vocal leader.
“That’s a big part of my game,” Logan said. “I like to lead by example. If someone needs to hear something, I’ll let them know. I call out a lot of the plays, make sure we’re lined up right. And if one of the young guys needs advice, I can do that, too.”
Other players have noticed.
“He’s a great leader,” Forside said of Logan. “We have played together so long it’s like we know what the other is going to do. We trust each other and he makes big-time plays.”
A week after giving up 35-straight points to Oxford, West Point will have to deal with a team that lost to New Hope 33-17 last week. Clarksdale (2-3, 0-1) runs the ball 75 percent of the time, a far cry from an Oxford offense that passed for 396 yards against West Point.
For Logan, the chance to stay in the box and seek contact with ball carriers is a welcome sight.
“That’s how I like to play,” Logan said. “I want to get physical, I want to stay in the box and make tackles. This is our kind of football.”
Logan said a win tonight would bring the momentum needed to play well down the home stretch.
“I think we can still have a great season,” Logan said. “We have to move past last week and get better. If we continue getting better and staying together, we can go all the way.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brandon Walker on Twitter @BWonStateBeat
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