Doesn't seem that long ago but it's been eight months since just possibly the best night of Anthony Logan's young life.
Logan had just rushed for 195 yards and one touchdown to lead his Pioneer High team to a tense 34-33 victory against Piedmont Hills. An exhausted and teary-eyed Logan lingered in front of the Mustang bleachers for a long time after, hugging one family member after another. His long embrace with his father James Logan was one of the more enduring, sweeter memories of the 2013 prep season.
"My dad was there and it was my last game and the fact we were league champs after working so hard all year -- it was just a happy night," Logan said. "I'll always remember that ... tears of joy."
Making things even better for Pioneer was Leland lost that night, handing Pioneer an outright BVAL-Mt. Hamilton title. It doesn't get much better than that.
Wednesday night there may be a few more tears shed afterward as Logan will officially play his last game as a prep. He'll be carrying the ball for the South all-stars in the 40th annual Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Game -- also known as the Silicon Valley Youth Classic -- at 7:30 p.m. at San Jose City College.
More than 40 family members and friends from as far away as Modesto are expected to be in the stands supporting the 17-year-old, who is slightly young for a high school graduate.
"We're really excited," said James Logan, a former Andrew Hill High running back. "We've gone to the last three Wedemeyer games and we knew the impact Anthony would have on the (Pioneer) team last year and that he'd have a strong chance to play in this game. We're just happy that he's getting to play."
Logan may well play a big role for the South since all-star teammate Brandon Boyd of Gilroy is out with a shoulder injury. Boyd rushed for 2,238 yards and 30 touchdowns last season for his team, also known as the Mustangs.
While Logan ran for less than half Boyd's total (950 yards and 13 touchdowns), he is more than capable -- as the monster game against Piedmont Hills proved.
"Anthony was the leader of our team this past season," Pioneer coach Eric Perry said. "I'm excited to see where his football leads him. I'm proud to watch him and his teammates play Wednesday -- All-MHAL center Daniel Brookbank, MHAL linebacker of the year Phillip Lindorfer and all-league defensive lineman Isaiah Mailo."
Logan has been at it since he was 7 years old, toting the rock for the mighty mite Oak Grove Raptors.
"We were all just beginning that year and were learning how to hit and stuff like that," Logan said. "But I was sort of a natural -- I'd say I was one of the top (players)."
The San Jose youngster showed that all right, rambling for 134 yards and two touchdowns in a win against the Santa Clara Lions. It was the start of a love affair between Logan and football that has not waned.
Said Logan after the pivotal win against Piedmont Hills last season as to why the victory meant so much: "I've been playing this game since I was a little kid," he said. "Every year I look forward to it. I work hard in the pre-season to play with my brothers."
OK, but exactly what is it about the sport that so enthralls Logan and, in fact, has so permeated the entire Logan family that James says just about everything else is put on hold from August through December?
"What don't I like about football should be the question," Anthony said with a laugh. "I like the bond and the togetherness and the thrill I get from playing. I feel good about myself when I'm out there -- powerful. During the season I count down the days until game day."
Soon it will be that way for Logan's pre-teen brother Joseph as well. The precocious sixth grader rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 20 touchdowns playing for Oak Grove Pop Warner last season.
As for Anthony, it's not all football all the time. The Logan males all love to fish, with Anthony landing his first shark at age 14 out at Oyster Point.
The young man also knows the value of money, James Logan said. Anthony clutches his hard-earned dollars as if they were diamonds and saved enough dough to buy a charcoal-gray 1993 BMW which is now his pride and joy. Like the yards he gains, the teen earned that money by officiating youth football games and most recently toiling at Famous Footwear, an area shoe emporium.
"Anthony saves his money," James said. "He's been that way since he was little. He's very independent."
At just 5-foot-10, 180 pounds and having not run for Brian Boyd or Trevor Bearden-like numbers, Logan didn't have major universities banging down his door. There was some interest from smaller schools like Redlands and Pacific, but Logan has opted to play at De Anza where he has a bond with assistant coach John Lingo who coached his dad at Andrew Hill.
The former Pioneer star is looking forward to JC ball, but there's still some business to take care of Wednesday night at SJCC.
"I'm super excited," Logan said of the Wedemeyer game. "I'm thinking that it's the last high school game I'll ever play and I'm ready to throw everything on the line and have some fun and hopefully make an impact."
John Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@prep2prep.com.
