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Logan cleared to add pep to Waubonsie Valley's step

There's a difference between being healthy and being cleared to play football.

Waubonsie Valley senior running back Bryce Logan now has both.

Recovering from last year's ACL tear, Logan missed the Warriors' 23-14 win over Oak Park because his clearance date for contact wasn't until this week. He's been healthy enough to participate in non-contact drills, but now he's cleared the major hurdle to play in a game.

"It'll be great to get him back out there," said Waubonsie Valley coach Paul Murphy. "That should make us even more dangerous."

Last season Logan rushed for 1,148 yards and 11 touchdowns. In his absence last week, quarterback Ethan Nelson threw for 200 yards and sophomore running back Antonio Torres rushed for 85.

As strong as that combination was, the Warriors still eagerly await Logan's return.

He was on the field for the victory formation at the end of last week's game. Whether it's this week or the next, he's about to get much more involved in the offense.

"Our goal is to have him 100 percent for our Kentucky trip," said Murphy, referring to the Warriors' Week 3 visit to Louisville.

The rebound:

Just like last season, Naperville Central dropped its opener to Hinsdale Central and faces another stiff test against perennial power Lincoln-Way East. The Redhawks, though, hope to avoid last year's 0-2 start.

"It makes it tough, but we welcome that competition," said Redhawks coach Mike Stine.

Despite an abundance of offensive talent headed by junior quarterback Sam Jackson, a Minnesota recruit, the Redhawks struggled for consistency in a 14-6 loss to Hinsdale Central. Stine believes it's a matter of time before all the elements of the offense start clicking.

"We were just out of sync," Stine said. "Three or four of our receivers didn't even play with us this summer. It takes a while for everyone to get on the same page."

Uncomfort zone:

No one wants to be losing a game but York coach Mike Fitzgerald saw the positives in his team falling behind 13-0 in the second quarter of last week's game against Schaumburg.

"It was really good for us to face that situation," Fitzgerald said. "We have to get comfortable being uncomfortable."

The Dukes rallied to a 16-13 overtime victory as they faced adversity every step of the way.

Anthony Lapiana came through with a 22-yard field goal in overtime and the defense followed with a goal-line stand at the 1-yard line.

Wild, weird Week 1:

Never know what can happen once the ball is hiked.

In Westmont's 50-14 win over Collins, senior Mason Pardy began the game with a 79-yard kickoff return for touchdown.

He made the score 12-0 on a 13-yard touchdown catch.

Pardy took a little break from scoring to add 3 more receptions for 73 yards, including a 42-yard play. Shortly, he returned an interception 15 yards for a touchdown.

Pardy capped Westmont's scoring with his fourth touchdown of the day on a 55-yard punt return.

Wheaton Academy won its sixth consecutive season opener, 42-6 over visiting Urbana.

The Warriors did this while running only 38 offensive plays, including three in the fourth quarter and around 25-30 with the first team before a running clock took hold.

In the second quarter Wheaton Academy scored 14 points without the offense running a play. Jayson Rucker returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown. Back on defense, linebacker Trevor Donna forced a fumble and Stephen Garner returned it 25 yards for another quick touchdown.

The Warriors offense lacked rhythm due to these factors, but coach Brad Thornton will take the result.

"Obviously, we're pleased with the outcome," he said. "When you're scoring with defense and special teams, that's a good formula."

Twitter: @doberhelman1

Twitter: @kevin_schmit

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