BELLEFONTAINE — Week 3 brings another challenging non-conference matchup to Benjamin Logan High School, as the Raiders welcome the Lima Senior Spartans to town on Friday, Sept. 4.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Benjamin Logan High School, with both teams entering the contest at 1-1 on the young season.
For the Raiders, Friday's matchup provides an opportunity to build on the momentum created by a dominant Week 2 performance.
Benjamin Logan opened the season with a 42-28 loss to Bluffton, but responded emphatically the following week, defeating West Liberty-Salem 41-13. The Raiders controlled the contest on both sides of the football, putting together their first win of the season and evening their record at 1-1.
The Raiders' offense has already shown its ability to put points on the board. Benjamin Logan scored 28 points in its Week 1 loss before breaking out for 41 against the Tigers, while the defense held West Liberty-Salem to just 13 points after surrendering 42 to Bluffton.
The Raiders love to keep possesion of the ball and play their style of game. Ground and pound is the main mode of transportation for the Ben Logan sqaud. With an abundance of talent on the team, BLHS hopes to ride the hot hand of Jordan Pender, coming off an outstanding 224 yard performance against West Liberty.
Last week Ben Logan saw a 56 Yard field goal get sent through the uprights by kicker Brandon Heater, a display that had not been seen in some years through Ohio football. Should the Raiders need a long kick to make the difference, Heater is the man for the job.
Now, Benjamin Logan faces a Lima Senior team that presents a very different challenge.
Spartans bring explosive offense
Lima Senior also enters Friday night at 1-1, but the Spartans have demonstrated plenty of offensive firepower during the opening two weeks.
The Spartans opened the season with a 42-13 victory over Piqua, piling up 432 passing yards in the victory.
Lima Senior then welcomed Findlay to Spartan Stadium in Week 2. The Trojans handed the Spartans their first loss of the season, winning 31-6. Lima Senior's lone touchdown came in the fourth quarter.
Despite the loss, the Spartans enter the contest with an offense capable of creating problems through the air.
Jeff Williams Jr. has emerged as a key weapon for Lima Senior, averaging 234 receiving yards per game through the first two contests and leading the Spartans with three total touchdowns. Jayden Jones has also contributed on offense, while Jay'von Batts leads the team defensively with 18 tackles per game.
For Benjamin Logan, limiting explosive plays will be one of the biggest keys to Friday's game.
The Spartans will look to play spoiler with their explosive offense, capable of scoring anywhere, anytime.
A battle of 1-1 teams
Both programs enter Week 3 looking to establish consistency after splitting their first two games.
For Benjamin Logan, the challenge will be carrying the same intensity and execution from its 41-13 victory into a matchup against a Lima Senior squad that has already shown it can score in bunches.
The Raiders will also have the advantage of playing at home, something that could become important in what figures to be one of the more intriguing non-conference matchups on the Benjamin Logan schedule.
Lima Senior, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from its home loss to Findlay and get back on track before opening Toledo City League play later in the season.
The Spartans' passing attack will test the Raiders' secondary, while Benjamin Logan will look to control the pace of the game and continue the offensive production it displayed last Friday.
With both teams sitting at 1-1, Friday night represents an early opportunity for one program to move above .500 and gain some momentum heading into the heart of the season.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Benjamin Logan High School.
