Athlete Profile: Logan Stuart

Athlete: Logan Stuart

Sport: Football

Positions: Running back, linebacker, kicker, punter

School: Suring High School

Year: Senior

SURING — The Suring High School football team got its fall season off to a 2-0 start, thanks in large part to the play of senior Logan Stuart.

In a season-opening game, which was the team’s first at the 8-man level of play, Stuart led the Eagles to a win over Sevastopol, the reigning state champions. The senior finished with 341 rushing yards and five touchdowns (on runs of 44, 10, 2, 20 and 38 yards).

Stuart then totaled 158 rushing yards and all three of Suring’s touchdowns in a road win over Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas Academy in week two, including a 90-yard touchdown run on a 4th-and-1 call late in the first half.

Stuart was held out of the end zone in the team’s week three loss to Gibraltar, but still piled up 112 rushing yards.

“Logan is the type of player that coaches want. He plays every down like it’s his last. He truly does leave everything on the field,” said Suring coach Mitch Taylor.

Q: When did your interest in football begin?

A: Ever since I picked up my first football while watching the Packers play. I come from a family that loves football. My dad (Kenneth) played on the same field and helped coach me in youth football. It’s just always been in my blood.

Q: What is your favorite part about the football season?

A: Friday night lights — when you lay it all out there on the field hoping you did enough to prep for the game to get a win.

Q: What has the adjustment from 11-man to 8-man been like for you this fall?

A: It’s definitely been a challenge to learn a different game after playing 11-man all these years. On the plus side, there’s less players to try to outrun and break through on the offense. However, the same is true of the other team on defense. We have to stay on our toes, but I love a new challenge.

Q: Talk about what it meant for the team to open the year with a win over Sevastopol, the reigning 8-man champions.

A: They challenged us every play. Winning any game is a great way to start the season, but I think winning this game was a huge confidence booster for us and showed us we have a shot to hang in there with the best.

Q: You are asked to carry the ball a lot, plus you play linebacker, meaning you are going to take and dish out several hits per game. How do you prepare yourself for that?

A: Well, I’m in the weight room a lot. I realize that I am fortunate that the coaches give me as many opportunities as they do. I really just try to take one play, one quarter, one game at a time and hopefully come out on top.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Suring football team?

A: My favorite memory happened my freshman year. It was a night of mixed emotions because my grandpa (Ken) had passed away and his funeral was that day. I chose to play that night to honor my grandpa and all he did for the game. He owned the land we play on and donated it to the school along with the lights so we could play under them on Friday nights instead of Saturday afternoons. My team got me through that game and gave me a team ball signed by all the players and coaches. It’s displayed on a shelf in my living room and was just a huge prop in my senior pictures.

Q: What are you going to miss most about high school football?

A: Legally hitting people but most of all I’m going to miss the relationships and friendships that were formed all these years on the field. These guys are my brothers. And the coaches have been great mentors on and off the field.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you are not in school or competing in a high school sport?

A: Hunting.

Q: Favorite TV show, movie and musical artist?

A: TV — “Supernatural.” Movie — “Good Boys.” Music — I don’t really have a favorite singer or group. I like listening to old rock and heavy metal before games and when I work out. Country pretty much the rest of the time.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: I like to watch sunsets.

Q: What’s the greatest piece of advice you have ever been told?

A: Trust in God and He will trust in you.

Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school?

A: Go to college and become an anesthesiologist. I would like to play some more football for sure and maybe track.