By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

SALEM, Ore.–  With the recent graduation of Elias Polanski, an Mountain Valley Conference Honorable Mention selection, Sprague will be turning to a Junior gunslinger to replace the recently departed Polanski at the most important position on the field:

Quarterback.

The Olympians Logan Smith has been putting in his dues, doing his time and completing the work in preparation to lead the Sprague football program this Spring at the most important position.

“I’ve done a lot of QB specific work, training with guys like Alex Brink and Dylan Young, and working on strength and Agility with Jake Forshey. All three of these people helped me tremendously with improving my game,” Smith said.  “This all prepares me for different situations with games and when to avoid blitzes, get the ball out quick, and make smart decisions in games.”

It’s weird to see the Olys in its recent lulls, going through it’s growing pains of reloading.  Going 4-14 the last two years after going 19-4 the two years prior.  During that 19-4 stretch, Sprague had reached the 6A State Quarterfinals during the 2016-2017 season and was almost a write-in for the postseason on a yearly basis up to this point.

Nonetheless, expectations are still high.  The expectations still remain competing for a playoff spot, the league titles and seeing if they can make a deep run at it in the postseason. The only question becomes now is when?

Smith and the Sprague skills players have been apart of the Oregon 7’s tournament league, putting in work on both sides of the ball and looking to help lift the Olys back to the level they were a few short years ago

“We have very high expectations for our team this season. We’ve been working hard in the off season to be ready to succeed. We have some key guys returning for this season and we are ready to show how much we’ve developed as a team,” said Smith.

“To me, being the QB at Sprague means you have to be ready to bring positive energy, leadership, and be versatile athletically.”

Following suit of a Spencer Plant, Ethan Johnson and a Polanski is no easy task, but for the Junior with an seasoned coach like Head Coach Jay Minyard in his ear and some familiar faces around him in the offense, the transition is coming along for Smith.

“I feel like I’m doing good fitting that role. Coach Minyard and I communicate about what he needs from me over these next few years. I try to bring energy every day to practice and games. I communicate with the guys and try to lead by example, and I work as hard as I can every day to keep getting faster and stronger so I can be as athletic as I can,” said Smith.  

“I think I can improve upon it by continuing to work hard, learn from my mistakes, and be a student of the game.”

With Smith putting in work on the side to work on his craft, Sunday’s is when he’s helping to guide the Olympians towards a tournament title.  Last Sunday Sprague, playing as the Olympian Football Club, fell in the second-round in the bracket play at Amity High School and the squad defeated W.A.R 30-14 Sunday in Independence before the tournament was called-off before bracket play. 

The connection and work now in building that quarterback-reciever connection hopefully will align and merge over once they put on the pads and the lineman get thrown into the mix in the Spring.

“It’s very important to build a connection with the receivers so we can have a successful passing game through the rest of Oregon 7’s and the actual football season,” starts Smith.  “I feel like our whole team and coaches are very motivated this year. We’ve been doing everything we can to get ready for the season. We’re excited to compete and get back to being a competitive playoff team like we used to be.”

Photos By Jeremy McDonald

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