BY TIM HAYES
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
When Luke Logan lines up at his offensive tackle position this afternoon for the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, he knows that a menacing presence awaits on the other side of the ball.
That would be Union (Ky.) College linebacker Willie Williams, who is one of the NAIA’s toughest defenders.
The former University of Miami Hurricane already has 105 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 7½ sacks to his credit.
“Anytime you’ve got a big-time name across from you, you want to play well,” Logan said. “We’ve done a lot of preparation.”
Logan and the rest of his line mates will look to stop Williams today when UVa.-Wise plays host to Union in a key Mid-South Conference East Division clash. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at Carl Smith Stadium.
UVa.-Wise (7-1) is ranked 10th in the latest NAIA national poll, while Union (6-2) is 21st. A win will be a major boost to either team’s playoff hopes.
“They’re all big and this one is obviously,” UVa.-Wise coach Bruce Wasem said. “Both of us have to win to try to win a championship. It makes it tough, but it also makes it exciting. These are the games you play for. As I told the kids, 80 percent of the kids in college football are just playing out the string. There are just a few lucky ones that are still
playing for a championship and enjoy the fact, we’re one of those teams.”
Williams has earned a spot on UVa.-Wise’s scouting report. One of the nation’s most highly-touted recruits at one time, Williams landed in South Beach and played briefly played for Miami. However, he didn’t stay at the school long and spent time at several other colleges after departing.
He’s landed in Barbourville, Ky. and has made an instant splash.
“When you get an athlete of that caliber, he draws some attention,” Wasem said. “He’s good, but they have some other awfully darn good football players. He’s a factor, but he’s not the only factor.”
Logan has been a factor for UVa.-Wise this fall. The former Pound High School star has been part of a platoon at the tackle position for the Highland Cavaliers, splitting time with Andrew Hutchings and Yusiff Thulla.
The 6-foot-3, 288-pound sophomore is expected to get the starting nod today.
“This is a big rivalry game,” Logan said. “Union is much-improved. This is a big-time game, and I’ve heard we might sell out the stadium today.”
Logan has come a long way in the last few months. He missed most of preseason practice with an illness and a concussion.
“Lord, I think about everything happened to me [in the preseason],” Logan said. “Being out for the preseason hurt me, but I’m starting to get back in the groove now.”
NOTES: With a win today, UVa.-Wise would collect the 100th victory in program history. The school fielded its first football team in 1991 … Union holds a 5-3 edge in the all-time series … UVa.-Wise is 24-6 since the start of the 2006 season … UVa.-Wise travels to the University of Cumberlands (Ky.) on Nov. 8 and closes out the regular season Nov. 15 at home against Faulkner.
thayes@bristolnews.com|(276) 645-2570
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