Football: Logan handles Moreau, earns at least share of MVAL title
CLICK HERE if you are having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device.
HAYWARD — Senior Chase Sims and junior Shamoun “V” Duncan-Niusulu both share one unique accessory, a baby blue and pink “Binky” Battle Oxygen mouthguard. That they share this piece of mouthwear is no coincidence.
Since Sims transferred to James Logan, the two have been joined at the hip, taking on the role as this club’s emotional leaders. They’ve set the tone all season long, and they did just that once again on Friday night.
Sims totaled 129 rushing yards and two touchdowns, one on both sides of the ball, while Duncan-Niusulu logged 142 rushing yards and three touchdowns as James Logan handled Moreau Catholic, 36-20.
“They’re both the catalyst,” said James Logan coach Ricky Rodriguez.
James Logan still has one game remaining in the season, but the win guarantees them a partial share of the Mission Valley Athletic League title. Should they handle business next week against Kennedy, James Logan will capture its first league title since 2011, when the entirety of current roster was still in elementary school.
SEASON PASS DIGITAL OFFER
If you have not already, we strongly encourage you to sign up for a digital subscription, which gives you access to all content on the Mercury News and East Bay Times websites for just $1 a week. With your support, we can continue bringing these stories — and much more — to your screens. Here’s where to sign up for the season pass: Mercury News, East Bay Times.
The eight-year hiatus was mostly been due to a six-year stretch when the Colts were independent from 2012 to 2017.
Not only does James Logan obtain a piece of the crown, but it got some revenge in the process. Last season, James Logan lost to Moreau Catholic by four touchdowns on its home turf — the first game back in the MVAL since 2011. That game ultimately served as the decider in the MVAL as Moreau Catholic won the league title while James Logan finished second.
“Thirteen months ago, this team came to our home field and they dominated us in all aspects of the game. We had a huge opportunity to come out here tonight on their homecoming,” Rodriguez said. “I think from the first snap, we proved that we were the better football team.”
To Moreau Catholic’s credit, it kept the game competitive for a good chunk of the contest.
In the first quarter, after James Logan’s Duncan-Niusulu found the end zone for his first touchdown, Moreau Catholic’s Nikko Reed immediately responded by returning the ensuing kickoff to the house. In less than 30 seconds of football time, both teams put seven points on the board.
The following drive, however, James Logan took the lead back for good. Sims sliced right through the teeth of the Moreau Catholic defensive line, ripping off a 40-yard run to give the Colts a 14-7 lead, an advantage they would not surrender.
Moreau Catholic took Sims’ big run in stride and kept things competitive with some big plays on both sides. Jackson Myatt set things up on defense, intercepting a pass from Duncan-Niusulu around midfield, which the offense turned that into six points in remarkable fashion.
On the possession after Myatt’s pick, Bowen Dickstein lobbed up a pass Reed in the back of the end zone. The ball was deflected, but Reed maintained his composure as he fell to the ground and hauled it in for the touchdown. A missed point after attempt kept James Logan in the lead, 14-13.
From that point on, James Logan took complete control of the game, as that one-point lead to grew to as large as 23.
Before the end of the first half, Duncan-Niusulu ripped off a 73-yard touchdown run and Sims returned an interception to pay dirt. After Duncan-Niusulu snuck in from the 2-yard line for his third touchdown of the game in the third quarter, James Logan led 36-13.
“We won this game up front,” Rodriguez said. “Our offensive (line) and our defensive line played out of their minds. That’s kudos to our coaching staff.”