Columbus North lost four of its five starting offensive linemen from one of the most prolific offenses in school history.
That meant Logan Abbott, the lone returner, was destined for a bigger role this season.
After playing left guard last year, Abbott is entrenched at left tackle for his senior season. He has noticed the difference.
As a guard, Abbott was blocking mostly defensive tackles. Now as an offensive tackle, he is blocking mainly defensive ends.
“The inside guys, I was going up against really big, strong fellows. Now, they’re a lot quicker. Against East, Ty Henderson was a tall, quick strong guy. It was a lot different than being on the inside. The blocking schemes are different, so I block different people, and the footwork can be a little different, but it’s still the same concepts.”
Abbott is replacing All-State tackle David Redding, who is now playing at Miami (Ohio). Abbott said he learned a lot from the linemen around him the past couple of years, especially Redding.
Now, the 6-foot-2, 250-pound Abbott is charged with being the main protector for quarterback Trenton Kelley.
“Logan is our most athletic lineman,” North coach Tim Bless said. “He wins with quickness and athleticism. Logan is off to a great start, as was our expectation for him. Moving him to Trenton’s blind side was our plan during the offseason, and he hasn’t disappointed.”
Kelley has thrown for more than 500 yards over his first two full varsity games. The Bull Dogs have opened with big wins at Franklin and Columbus East.
Although it hasn’t run the ball a lot in the first two games, Abbott and his teammates have opened holes for running back Cortez Bandy.
“The line has been doing well,” Abbott said. “During the summer, it was a lot of work, and getting everybody in the position they needed to be in so that we could perform our best. But now I think we have it rolling, and I think we’re going to do really well.”
Abbott, who finished sixth in the regional in the discus in track and field this spring, is looking at attending Southern Illinois to study radiation therapy. But he does not plan to play football or track for the Salukis.
Still, Abbott, who also is seeing spot duty on the defensive line, is enjoying his senior season for the Bull Dogs, who open Conference Indiana play Friday at home against Bloomington North.
“It’s been great,” Abbott said. “We beat East, which is awesome. We’re really positive about where we’re going. We want to prepare for every team and go out there and win and get a conference championship, hopefully.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Logan Abbott” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Name: Logan Abbott
School: Columbus North
Year: Senior
Position: Offensive tackle/defensive tackle
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 250
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