Patriots lineman finds spotlight
For the past five seasons, Logan McNeil has battled it out in the trenches on the offensive and defensive lines for the Saint Paul football program.
The offensive centre and defensive tackle toiled mostly in anonymity, getting pounded, stepped on and battered battling the other big linemen in high school football.
But the 12B student finally got his moment in the spotlight Friday afternoon in a 42-7 victory by the Patriots (4-1) over the Blessed Trinity Thunder (1-4) in Niagara Catholic Athletic Association senior play.
Already with two fumble recoveries and a sack to his credit, the 12B student lobbied his coaches and they allowed him to rushed the ball in from one yard out to record the Patriots’ final touchdown.
“He has always wanted to get a touchdown in his five-year career here,” Saint Paul head coach Rick Oreskovich said. “It’s not that we wanted to put points up on the board and embarrass anybody, but our kids are down as it is about not being able to move on, so you have to try and keep them content and positive.”
Saint Paul has been deemed ineligible for the playoffs after using two ineligible players in a preseason game.
“He has been practising all season long and playing in the games and he deserves it,” Oreskovich said.
The 6-foot-1 280-pounder was all smiles after recording his touchdown.
“It was crazy,” he said. “I just felt that the time was right and I asked the coach if he would put the backup centre in and let me run the ball.
“It was a longshot that he would let me do it, but he put me in and I was grateful for it.”
McNeil almost blew his big moment when he bobbled the ball, but he was able to get the ball under control as he crossed the finish line.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” he said, with a smile. “I got in though.”
He tipped his cap to his coaches for giving him that opportunity.
“These coaches have done so much for us and to let me have that moment meant the world to me.”
McNeil has meant the world to the Saint Paul football program.
“He’s a good player, he’s strong, he’s physical and he has quick feet,” Oreskovich said. “And he’s very coachable. He listens and tries his best.
“He has got a lot of potential and he has certainly helped us out this year.”
McNeil has enjoyed every moment of his football career at Saint Paul.
“I have nothing but great memories,” he said. “Playing for these guys has been amazing and they have been nothing but helpful.
“They built me from the bottom up when I really didn’t know anything.”
He is hoping to play football at the next level. He had some interest last year after the Patriots played in the Golden Horseshoe Bowl but he told the scouts he was returning for a second year of Grade 12.
The Thunder trailed 28-0 early in the second quarter but, to their credit, they hung tough and prevented the Patriots from running away with the game.
“They definitely jumped out to a quick lead on us but the message to our kids was to keep playing, keep hammering away, keep repping our stiff and doing what you know how to do,” Thunder head coach Sean Jones said. “We were trying to play for some pride and trying to improve regardless of the score and then a couple of turnovers and couple of big mistakes caused a comeback to stall before it really had a chance to get going.”
STATS PACK
Patriots 42 Thunder 7
Johnny Rocco’s/Mick and Angelo’s/Cracker Jacks Player of the Game: Saint Paul’s Logan McNeil with two fumble recoveries, a sack and a one-yard TD run.
For the Saint Paul Patriots: McNeil, TD: Enzey Youyoute, 20-yard TD run; Tal Ibrahim, 17-yard TD run; Rielly Sexton, 17-yard TD run and sack; Devon Schiller-Cleveland, 48-yard and 10-yard TD runs;
For the Blessed Trinity Thunder: 70-yard kick return for a TD by Owen Jones.
Game stats: First downs: Patriots 13, Thunder 8. Net offence: Patriots 357, Thunder 130. Turnovers: Patriots 1, Thunder 4. Penalties: Patriots eight for 100 yards, Thunder three for 15 yards.
