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Peters Township QB making most of moment

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Peters Township quarterback Logan Pfeuffer knows his playing days are as fleeting as the the scoring strikes he tossed to teammates Breylan Carrington and Corban Hondru during the Indians’ recent 26-3 victory over Moon.

“Football doesn’t last forever,” the senior said. “I wish it could.”

Pfeuffer is hoping, however, for a lengthy season by leading his team to WPIAL and PIAA championships.

The Indians fell short of winning the program’s first WPIAL title in 2019. Despite Pfeuffer completing 10 of 19 passes for 247 yards, the Indians lost to Gateway 21-20 in the Class 5A championship game last November.

“I’ve replayed and watched that game 40 to 50 times and relived how heartbreaking it was to lose with time expiring and us down by one point,” Pfeuffer said. “The loss is on all of our minds, not just mine. As a team, we are super driven.”

A week after the defeat, Pfeuffer went to work. He trained with Ed Wiethholder from Strength, Fitness and Speed in Pleasant Hills and improved his speed. Pfeuffer has worked with Dakota Conwell, who was a standout quarterback and linebacker at Upper St. Clair before playing for the University of Arizona, since his sophomore season.

“The speed training is paying off. It’s really helping,” Pfeuffer said. “With Dakota, I’ve also learned to take it one play at a time, have a short memory and get out there and just have fun.”

Pfeuffer also enjoys himself on the basketball court and baseball diamond. He’s picked up valuable lessons from competing in those other sports.

“I love football best, but I think the fact that I compete in all team sports that there are certain lessons I can take from each that have helped me,” he said.

Pfeuffer cited improved agility from basketball and mental toughness and a stick-to-it attitude from baseball as perks. He also said he has learned to be the best teammate possible.

“You can’t be selfish,” Pfeuffer said. “You have to step up in big moments when the team needs you and vice-versa rely on your teammates when they need you.”

Pfeuffer completed 6 of 10 passes for 306 yards – 51.0 yards per completion – and two scores in leading the Indians to their most recent victory over the Tigers. The win avenged last year’s lone conference defeat.

“Logan did a fantastic job identifying the favorable matchups and getting the ball to our players in space,” said PT head coach T.J. Plack.

Pfeuffer tossed touchdown passes of 90 yards to Carrington and 63 yards to Hondru against Moon. Carrington had four receptions for 203 yards.

“I just took advantage of what I saw,” Pfeuffer said. “One of the big things that I have learned in my three years as a starter is not to force things and that you don’t have to make big plays every down.”

Pfeuffer has made enough plays to propel the Indians to back-to-back conference championships. As a sophomore, he completed 143 of 233 attempts for 2,368 yards and 24 scores. Last year, he was 129 of 210 for 2,045 yards and 24 touchdowns.

“Logan has been solid at the quarterback position for us,” Plack said. “He is intelligent. However, he has begun to make some off-script plays when protection breaks down. He understands and believes in the things we do on offense.”

After a slow start, the Indians have reverted back the offense that brought them championships. Pfeuffer is comfortable with the change.

“Our offense seems to be clicking now,” Pfeuffer said. “We tried to put in a new offensive system this season but it didn’t have the answer for certain things and wasn’t meeting our expectations. So we went back to the old stuff, made some corrections and adjustments.

“Against Moon,” Pfeuffer said, “our secret to success seemed to be a mixture of both our game plan and the offense. We executed. Everybody did their jobs. Our offensive line is amazing. I can’t thank those guys enough for the protection and I’m surrounded by skill players that are all very good.”

Pfeuffer is currently being recruited by Division II and III program. He said he has yet to commit to a college because he is focused on the best school that can meet his academic needs.

“I’m sure Logan will go to a fine school, excel at football and academics,” Plack said.

Pfeuffer possesses a 4.5 GPA. He plans to major in mechanical engineering.

“The most important thing to me is education,” he said. “My goals are to get a degree and a great job. Further my future and get ready for life.”

Pfeuffer, however, also prepares for more football. Peters Township hosts Bethel Park on Friday. After wrapping up Allegheny Six Conference action at West Allegheny Oct. 23, the WPIAL playoffs are currently scheduled to commence Oct. 30.

“Each week the goal is to go 1-0. Take one game at a time but we want to get back to the WPIAL final and contend for another championship,” Pfeuffer said.

“Last year that atmosphere, the whole process of grinding out wins and making it to the WPIAL championship and being in that game with my teammates was a highlight that I would love to repeat.”

Age: 18

Birthday: Aug. 11

Parents: MaryAnn and Rick

Siblings: Cassie, 26, R.J. 24, Colton, 16, Tanner, 14

School: Peters Township

Sports: Football, basketball, baseball

GPA: 4.5

Activities: National Honor Society

College offers: Grove City, Wilkes, Walsh and West Virginia-Wesleyan universities and other Division III programs

Career choice: Mechanical Engineering

Food: Steak

Color: Red.

Restaurant: “We don’t go out a lot because my mom is a great cook.”

Book: Series of Unfortunate Events

Movie: Star Wars.

Toy: Legos. “I stopped playing with them around 12 but I still have some of them. I loved building and constructing things with them, following the blueprints and seeing the final product. I think that’s why mechanical engineering appeals to me.”

Favorite athlete: Joe Burrow. “Not just because I’m also a quarterback but because I like how he handles himself on and off the field.”

Dream Destination: Caribbean

Person you would like to have dinner with: Tom Brady. “He’s one of the best to play the game. There is no fighting that. It would be interesting to sit down and talk to him and see how he got to the point where he is.”

Lesson sports has taught you: “Nothing is given. You have to work for everything no matter what.”

In 15 years, I will be: “Hopefully married and have kids, with a great job and house, living in Peters Township.”

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