Logan has proven resiliency

After what the Logan Grizzlies went through this season, it's a miracle they were even in a position to earn a share of the region championship heading into the Region 4 finale last month, a game Box Elder ultimately won.

Any team that starts the year 0-2, then turns around and beats two of 4A's best teams, then loses its starting quarterback for what was feared to be the season, then gets blown out by Skyline, and then somehow still has a shot at the region title with a 5-4 record — that's a resilient bunch.

As the rest of 4A is finding out, resiliency matters.

"You never really know yourself until you go through some hard times," said Logan linebacker Bobby Winder.

Without enduring those bumps throughout the season, Logan probably wouldn't be playing Bountiful for the 4A championship at Rice-Eccles Stadium Friday. Those trials toughened the players' skins, and they've needed it.

Following an opening-round playoff victory at Pleasant Grove, Logan returned home to host Spanish Fork in the quarterfinals, a game that further tested their resiliency. Logan fell behind 21-7 in the second quarter, but ultimately went on to win 34-21.

Nothing, though, can top the character Logan displayed in the semifinals. Despite trailing Timpview 16-3 at the half, the players never wavered in their faith in the game plan.

Coach Mike Favero even told his team at halftime he somewhat expected such a first half. But he also made a guarantee that if they stuck to the game plan, Logan would win.

If that wasn't enough, stud linebacker Bobby Winder had the ultimate challenge.

"I just told them, 'this could be our last half of football for the rest of our lives, but I don't want it to be. Find something or someone to play for and go out and play your absolute hardest,' " said Winder.

So the resilient Grizzlies, marched out onto the field, fell even further behind at 23-3, and just kept plugging away. Logan ultimately won it as Ben Macey marched his team 87 yards in a rainstorm for the game-winning touchdown in the final two minutes.

"Somewhere down inside, I just had a feeling," said defensive back Cameron Nyman.

Nyman just hopes he's got that gut feeling one more time.

Logan and Bountiful are anything but strangers. The Braves eliminated the Grizzlies from last year's playoffs, and then beat Logan again this year in the second week of the season. In that game, Logan let a 21-3 lead slip away.

"They're the defending state champions, and that gives them a lot of confidence," said Nyman. "They're a big-time trap team. You have to shut down the trap, otherwise they'll hand it to you."

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com

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