Bouncing Back

by Reed DeSalvo

December 14, 2009 - Logansport High School experienced this football season. Logansport

Head Coach Durrett Woods

ended the season with record of 3 wins and 7 losses, and in the process had to forfeit two games. Coach Durrett Woods is the head coach of Logansport High School and is intent on leading the Tigers in a turnaround next season. The team ended its season with a two game winning streak over Plain Dealing High School and as well as a thrilling 22 to 21 win over Grambling State Laboratory School. Coach Woods believes that the momentum his team gained from victories of the last two games of the season, together with a nucleus of returning juniors and seniors will help Logansport achieve its main goal that it has going into every year, which is to host a home playoff game. DaKendrick Wilson will be the leader of the Tigers going into the 2010 season. Coach Woods touts DaKendrick as a definite potential Div 1 Football Sub-Division (formerly Div 1-A) prospect. Dakendrick is the true definition of a dual threat quarterback. Getting it done through the air and as well as on the ground for the Tigers, Wilson has thrown for over 1,300 yards in a season and as well has rushed for another 1,400 yards in the same season. He has plenty of experience as well, having been a three year starter and now going into his fourth year as the starting Quarterback for the Tigers and Coach Woods. Wilson was able to show off his tremendous all around athletic skill this past season against Loyola College Prep. Wilson was able to run all over the field against Loyola in that game as he had 31 carries for 151 yards, including a 72 yard touchdown run. Wilson ended up that game with 3 total touchdowns including two rushing touchdowns. Wilson not only did it with his legs but he did it with his arm that night as well connecting on a 60 yard touchdown pass.. Wilson will not be the only experienced backfield player returning for the Tigers. Running back DeAngelo Thomas will return at Tailback for the Tigers for his senior year as well. Thomas is described by Woods as to be a threat, both running with the ball and as well as catching the ball out of the backfield effectively. With these two senior leaders leading the way on the offensive side of the ball, Coach Woods is confident that his skill players will be the major strength of the team going into next year.
 

On the defensive side of the ball, JaDerrick Rugley will be the team’s leader from the defensive line position. He is one of two starters returning on the defensive front for the Tigers, a position in which Coach Woods believes will end up being a strength for his defense by the end of the year. Coach Woods points to the game at Haynesville next year as one of the biggest matchups for his Tigers next season. This past year Haynesville was able to defeat the Tigers, but Coach Woods hopes that with his upper class leadership coming back, along with star players DaKendrick Wilson and JaDerrick Rugley will be enough to pull off the victory against Haynesville.
 

Coach Woods has been around football a long time, he hopes that his long term experience around the game of football will pay off for him and his team going into next year. Coach Woods has been a head coach for 12 years, and he is been involved in coaching for 24 years. Coach Woods credits the former coach of Logansport, Dale Morvan, as the most inspirational influence in Coach Woods’ coaching career. Coach Woods was just a regular college student when Coach Morvan talked him into joining him and becoming a football coach. Coach Woods describes his most enjoyment in coaching football is the ability to work with young people and watching kids mature and develop as not only a football player but also as a person. Being there for the kids when they need him the most is truly is a great joy to Coach Woods.
 

Considering the experience talent returning next year, couple with star players on offense and defense, Logansport should be a team to watch for next season.