Football: J.T. Logan Quietly Doing What it Takes to Keep Briar Woods Undefeated

By George Khalsa
Special to Viva Loudoun

J.T. Logan
(photo by Steven Holland)

Ashburn (Oct. 18, 2012) -The only downside for the athlete playing on a championship team is that he might not get the opportunity for individual accomplishment that he would have gotten were he to play for a less successful team. Though Briar Woods senior J.T. Logan may not be the featured performer he would be if he played for another school, he has established himself as a crucial contributor to a Falcons football program that is undefeated in its last 21 games and Division 4 state champions in 2010 and 2011.


Playing on the freshman team in the 2009 season Logan had no idea that he would ever attain the status of a starting player. “In my first freshman game I didn’t get out on the field,” he said. “By the middle of the season I got some playing time. Then a couple guys got injured and I was a starter for the last two games.”

As a sophomore Logan was looking to make an impact on the J.V. Then, in the Falcons first game of the 2010 season, the top three running backs on the depth chart were injured before the third quarter had ended, and Logan found himself on the field at running back. Briar Woods would win that game 10-8 on a field goal after an 86 yard drive that started with just two minutes remaining in the game. The following day, Saturday morning, he showed up at J.V. practice only to be told that his J.V. days were over and to get with the varsity players. Logan would get a lot of time at the RB position that year, carrying the ball 58 times for 373 yards and four touchdowns.

Going into the 2011 season Logan was the most experienced and successful running back on the roster. But as the season developed, Cory Colder would become the team’s featured runner, gaining 1,525 yards while scoring 22 touchdowns on the season. Logan got 27 carries on the year gaining 140 yards while catching nine passes for 66 yards. Of his three touchdowns on the season, two came in the state championship victory over Christiansburg, one by ground and one by air.

I asked him if he was disappointed that he did not become the #1 running back last season. “I won’t lie to you,” he replied. “I was angry for a time, but then I got over it and decided to do whatever I could to be a contributor.” This attitude is precisely why Head Coach Charlie Pierce has such a high regard for him.

“Every running back wants to carry the ball as many times as we’ll give it to them. That is what the coaches expect. What makes J.T. special is that when things didn’t go the way he wanted, he never complained, he just worked harder. He is a unique young man.” Pierce has come to rely on Logan to play in any number of positions on the field. On offense he may line up at H-back, running back or wide receiver. He plays on all the special teams as well as lined up at OLB and CB on defense.

Against Woodgrove on Friday evening Logan caught two touchdown passes before the game turned into a blowout. Pierce has no hesitation about giving him the ball when the game is on the line.

Pierce said, “J.T. is a quiet person but the players have a lot of respect for him.” In the post- game victory huddle Friday evening Pierce asked if any of the seniors had anything they wanted to say. Immediately the call, “J.T., J.T., JT.,” gained momentum and Logan was forced to speak to his teammates. In a quiet voice he shared his feelings and the jubilant bunch, in the happy aftermath of a 49-17 victory, were silent for a few moments as they took in his every word.