Logan Kurzweg is more than just the center of attention on Wilson’s O-line
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Ask Logan Kurzweg what position he plays and he’ll tell you offensive line. He can’t be much more specific than that.
Five games into the season the Wilson senior has taken snaps at every position along the front line (other than at tight end), a rarity in football.
Kurzweg was a Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 first-team all-league center as a junior; because of injuries to other linemen this season he’s seen time at left tackle, left guard, right guard and right tackle, as well as center.
“I’m playing where the team needs me,” said the 5-11, 270-pound Kurzweg. “I’m able to shift around, fill in if people need breaks. Wherever we’re facing the toughest spot on the other side of the line (that’s where I’ll be).”
Kurzweg figures to see most of his time in Friday’s match-up against Gov. Mifflin at his natural spot, center. Right tackle Anthony Matta, who missed the first month of the season with a foot injury, returned last week at Cedar Crest. That’s helped solidify things up front.
That means Kurzweg will be running things from the middle of the line, which he prefers. Still, if senior left tackle Jack Dendall, Matta or one of the guards, junior Derek Reiniger or senior Ryan McMillan, needs a break or has to come out due to an injury Kurzweg will slide over for a series or more. Senior James Nolan takes over at center when Kurzweg moves.
“Logan’s been the jack-of-all-trades,” Wilson coach Doug Dahms said.
Dahms would prefer to keep Kurzweg in the middle of things.
Center is his best spot and where he’s needed to keep the continuity of the line intact.
Kurzweg knows everyone’s assignments – that’s why he’s been able to seamlessly move around to different spots – and is responsible for calling out defensive fronts or to switch blocking assignments before the snap.
“At center, it’s my job to know everyone’s job on the line, to be able to direct traffic,” Kurzweg said. “(I need) to lead the line and bring everything together.
“I need to make sure that all our blocks align with what (quarterback) Tommy (Hunsicker) is reading.
“If everyone’s not on the same page, things go downhill pretty quickly. It’s important to have someone in there who can direct traffic.
“(When I was at right) tackle I was still able to do that but communicating with Jack (four spots away) on the opposite side of the line, it’s a little difficult.”
Kurzweg prefers playing center; that’s where he’s been stationed since his Mighty Mites days. He enjoys his time at guard, where he’s able to pull and lead the way on sweeps.
“I like blocking in space,” he said. “I feel that’s one of my strengths, and I enjoy getting on a skinny kid out in the open field.”
Kurzweg has found playing tackle the most challenging. He started there against Roman Catholic and Central Dauphin, the two best teams – and best defensive fronts – the Bulldogs have faced.
| 2022 | Wilson | 32-14 |
| 2021 | Gov. Mifflin | 42-14 |
| 2020 | Gov. Mifflin | 48-7 |
| 2019 | Wilson | 61-14 |
| 2018 | Wilson | 42-28 |
| 2017 | Gov. Mifflin | 21-14 |
| 2016 | Wilson | 38-7 |
| 2015 | Wilson | 14-3 |
| 2014 | Wilson | 35-34 OT |
| 2013 | Wilson | 38-7 |
| 2012 | Wilson | 21-14* |
| Wilson | 21-0 | |
| 2011 | Gov. Mifflin | 34-28 OT |
| 2010 | Wilson | 21-14 |
| 2009 | Wilson | 42-7 |
| 2008 | Wilson | 35-14 |
| 2007 | Gov. Mifflin | 28-16 |
| 2006 | Gov. Mifflin | 47-13* |
| Gov. Mifflin | 14-12 |
“You’re getting a lot of high-level defensive ends out there,” he said. “You’re put in a lot more one-on-one (battles) than you are on the interior. You’re moving a lot bigger guys, too.”
Kurzweg has the power to move guys off the line. As for himself, he’d be just as happy to stay in one spot. Because he’s so versatile the Bulldogs are better having him fill the other spots, and with Nolan making snaps.
Now that Matta has returned Dahms is hoping things stabilize up front. That’s been an issue through the first half of the season and a reason the Bulldogs haven’t been able to establish a consistent running game.
They passed almost as much as they ran through the first four games: Not a formula you want to take into the postseason.
Last week, in a 21-13 win at Cedar Crest, they started to run the ball consistently for the first time. They produced 148 yards on 31 carries. Nick Fiorini provided a season-high 71 yards on 11 carries.
“It felt like something similar to last year,” said Kurzweg, one of four return starters on the O-line, along with Dendall, Matta and McMillan. “We still have a lot to go, but it felt more like home (last week).”
Establishing a consistent running game will be vital for the Bulldogs (3-2) Friday in order to keep it away from the Mustangs (3-2). Mifflin’s had stability along its offensive line and is getting good production from fullbacks Grady Garner and Brandon Jones.
Mifflin’s Mid-Line Option can be a bear to stop when it’s executed properly, as it has been in recent weeks.
“They’re pretty much back to what they did before,” Dahms said of the Mustangs, who were more tailback-oriented during Nick Singleton’s time but have reverted to the Veer style that helped them dominate Section 1 of the Berks Football League for years before that.
No matter who’s lined up against them the Bulldogs will see red when they face Mifflin. Even though they’re now meeting in a non-league game the 66th meeting in the series is just as big as the first 65.
Decades-old rivalries such as this aren’t based on league alignment or won-loss records.
“We always want to beat Mifflin,” Kurzweg said, “that’s one of our goals every year, along with winning the section, and winning the district. Beating Mifflin’s on that list, too.
“It’s a huge rivalry, but we don’t look at it any differently than any other week: We’re going go in there and dominate and keep moving forward.”
