skip navigation

Record Recap: State-record 524 rushing yards the capper on Wautoma senior Nathaniel Loging's comeback

10/01/2014, 7:45pm CDT
By Travis Wilson

"Nathaniel has not had a conventional high school career," said head coach Mike Klieforth about his senior running back Nathaniel Loging, and he wasn't even talking about the new single-game rushing record performance of 524 yards last week against Wisconsin Dells in a 62-7 victory.

"He's played and been successful at quarterback, wide receiver, running back, linebacker, and defensive back.

"Nathaniel started out his sophomore year as a linebacker on defense and athlete on offense," Kliefort explained. "During the first game of the year at Edgerton, he came out of the game with a hurt knee. He went back into the game a couple times but we decided that he should probably sit and rest it. He was then cleared to play the next week." 

Loging continued his sophomore season, earning Second Team All-Conference honors as a quarterback and Honorable Mention recognition at linebacker.

"About a month after the season he said his knee still felt a little weird. He then decided to go into the doctor for a second opinion. We found out that he tore his ACL, and he went in for surgery."

With a very young team last season, Klieforth did not feel comfortable putting Loging at quarterback and linebacker as he continued to recover from surgery, even though he was medically cleared. Instead, he lined up at receiver and was a Second Team All-Conference pick.

Fast forward to this year, and Loging is fully healthy, and that was never so apparently as the 31 carry, 524 yard, 6 touchdown game in Week 6 to shatter the state rushing record of 465, set back in 2005 by Milwaukee Marshall's Donte Steward.

Though six games, Loging is fourth in the state with 1,196 yards on 102 carries (11.7 yards per carry) and 14 touchdowns. He's gone for nearly 800 yards and 10 touchdowns the last two weeks alone.

"Nathaniel is a fast, versatile player who has a knack for seeing the playing field very well," Klieforth said. "He is a player who we find ways to get the ball in his hands because we know he will be able to make something happen.

"The thing that surprised me most out of Nathaniel's performance last Friday night was his humbleness. He came off the field and was always looking for ways for himself and his team to improve. Following the game, it was never about him. He made it about his teammates and especially his offensive line."

Klieforth informed Loging he was close to the record and had one more carry to try to break it, but Loging had no idea he was in that position.

After shattering the mark on a 78-yard touchdown run, Loging's place in history was secured. While the record has not come without controversy, Loging's performance was one for the ages for the unconventional star.

Tag(s): News Archive  News  Travis Wilson