Tough as nails Class of 2016 safety roams Bentonville’s secondary
Exclusive Interview with Logan Darby
Tough, hardnosed, instinctive, and gaining size and experience – all truisms about Bentonville safety Logan Darby.
Every high school football team across the nation has a Logan Darby on their team. He might be a little undersized but he’s the kind of guy that shows up in more ways than one for every practice and every game, has an aw-shucks mentality to his own skill set, has the respect of his teammates and will knock you on your butt if you come across the middle.
The Class of 2016 safety is 5’11”, 170 pounds, and adding weight to go with his low 4.6 forty-yard dash time. He was a first-year starter for legendary Arkansas high school football coach Barry Lunney Sr. last season.
Darby and the 2014 Bentonville squad got the honor of a lifetime, they were guided to a second consecutive state championship under Lunney allowing him to hoist another state Class 7A title trophy before retiring. Lunney ended his 28-year coaching career with a win-loss record of 248-90-1 posting a 97-25 mark with the Tigers winning four state titles with Bentonville; 2008, 2010, 2013, and 2014. Lunney won four titles at Fort Smith Southside in 1991, 1992, 1997, and 2002.
Darby was a key contributor to the Tigers championship run racking up 91 tackles (49 solo and 42 assisted) while picking off two passes, forcing a fumble, picking up a fumble, and breaking up five pass attempts.
Despite playing on a state championship team Darby, much like most Class of 2016 gridiron warriors, is just entering the recruiting process ready to make a name for himself on the college camp circuit this summer.
In an exclusive interview, Logan sat down to talk about Bentonville’s championship run, starting the recruiting process, and what it was like playing for a high school coaching legend.
Logan, Bentonville started the year with four losses before going on a nine-game winning streak ending with a second consecutive Arkansas state title. Why did the season start off so rough and what flipped the switch on the team to start the winning streak?
“Our defense was playing stellar early in the season. We lost one game by three points (Fort Smith Southside 10-7) but we just were not clicking. We didn’t have the start we had hoped. We had a lot of guys with college talent. It hurt to start off that way even the students at our school were even down on us a little.
“The defense was playing hard and the offense was playing hard too they just were not clicking yet. It was a struggle but we had an amazing coaching staff. As soon as conference started, we just looked at winning conference and then winning state and it took off from there.”
In Game Five against Fort Smith Northside you guys were down at halftime but came back to win 29-26, what changed when you guys hit the field in the third quarter?
“Yeah, against Northside we were down at halftime 19-7. We didn’t start off the game well, we gave up an opening kickoff. At halftime we’re all trying to keep our heads up. Then in the second half we started making plays and then we just started steamrolling.
“It was a big momentum change for us. Northside was ranked No. 1 in the state then and that was our Homecoming Game too. Also, we hadn’t lost a conference game in years and we didn’t want to be the first team to break that streak. We stayed in the fight and ended up winning.”
How does Bentonville look heading into the 2015 season?
“We have some big spots to fill. On defense we have a good amount of guys coming back. We’ll miss some of our O-line guys. We lost our running back. We lost Coach Lunney too. He retired at the end of the season.
“I think we still have players that will work hard. We’ll have to spend a lot of time in the film room. We have a lot of seniors though, we should be good again next season.”
What was it like from a player’s view suiting up for Coach Lunney?
“He was one of the best head coaches there is at the high school level – I think he would have been a great college coach too. He was a great person to talk to and look up to. I was hoping he would stay one more year. He’s a guy that you can always count on. When it comes to his coaching he knows what to expect from his players and how to get 100 percent out of you on the field. He kept you relaxed but knew how to motivate you. It’s going to be hard to replace him.”
What are your strengths on the field at safety?
“I can cover well but I’m really good at coming up and making the hit. I had a lot of tackles this year. I feel like it’s a strong suit for me getting what the linebackers might not get. I play aggressively. I’m going to do my assignment every time. If I see a run play I’m going to fly to the ball and getting that tackle.”
Did you earn any individual honors in 2014?
“I was named First-Team All-Conference and First-Team All-Media.”
What are your goals for the 2015 football season?
“We want to try to get the three-peat. If we win conference it would be the eighth year in a row. One of the goals is to not lose at home and try to go undefeated. My other team goal is to be a better leader. At safety you have to call a lot of plays for the corners, safeties, and sometimes even for the linebackers. As a senior I want to try to fill that main leadership role.”
What about your personal goals?
“I want to get my interceptions up. I was playing a little timid at first (as a first-year starter). I will have more confidence from the beginning of the season next year. The higher my confidence the better I play. I’ve been working on my break on balls and going for the pick not necessarily the big hit. I’d like to break 100 tackles next season – came close this year.”
The new coaching staff has not been named yet, but do you think you’ll take on a bigger role on the team next year that during your junior season?
“Looks like I’m going to play some receiver next year. I’ve been catching some passes in sessions. My sophomore year playing JV I played both ways.”
College are just starting to learn about you, but once the attention starts to build and the offers start coming in what will influence your decision on where you will play your college ball?
“The first thing that is important to me is the school atmosphere and the reputation it has. Is the school a good school? Are the fans wild about their team? When you think of Arkansas, playing in that stadium would be crazy. The fans care about the Razorbacks a lot. The second thing that is important to me is the ability for my dad to see my games. The last thing that would influence my decision is the school’s academic program. I’m not thinking about the NFL right now I’m thinking about academics and earning my degree.
“One other thing is feeling comfortable with the coaching staff.”
Do you plan on going to any college camps this summer?
“I want to hit as many as I can to help gain exposure. I’m not sure which camps I’ll attend yet but the plan is to go to several.”
What are you doing in the offseason to prepare for the camps and your senior season?
“I go to the gym just about every night now. We have a really good trainer at school. He’s helping me and I’m working out on my own. My goal is to come in at 180 pounds for my senior season. I’ve already gained five pounds. My other goal is to maintain and increase my speed. I’m doing everything I can outside of our school program to improve my game for next season.”
Are there any NFL players you like to watch play the game?
“I’ve always been a big fan of Tyrann Mathieu, the Honey Badger. He’ll cover you and lay you out. I’ve followed him since his college career at LSU. I was a big fan of his during his college days. I like watching him play. I also like Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas. I’m always leaning towards the safeties that will come up and make a tackle.”
Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?
“My dad (Randy) has had the biggest impact on me. He went through all of this when he was my age. He played safety at Missouri Southern. He’s my biggest fan and my biggest coach.”
What do you like most about playing football?
“The feeling you get from making that big play and being a contributor to the team. Knowing you have guys fighting with you and staying in the fight to get the win. From a defensive standpoint, I like the freedom the safety position brings you allowing to play ball. At safety you can do your assignment but do it in your own style in the way the coaches want you to play. Defense fits me really well.”
For now Darby can be viewed as an overlooked diamond in the rough. But before long college coaches will start to take notice of the tough as nails safety with a deep seeded passion for the game.
Photo credit: bentonvillehsfootball.com; 2014 Bentonville championship team
Photo credit: bentonvillehsfootball.com; No. 9 Logan Darby