High school football: Logan Menge making Friday nights special for Columbia with his all-around play

Logan Menge took an otherwise unremarkable Friday night and made it special. The Columbia sophomore had a pair of special teams touchdowns — a 55-yard punt return and a 99-yard kickoff return — in the second half of a 48-7 win over Oberlin. Anyone who has followed Columbia this season shouldn't have been surprised to see Menge making big plays. He's been dong it all year in all three phases of the game. "We knew we were getting a great player and he's rising to the occasion," Raiders coach Mike Rice said. Menge actually scored three times against the Phoenix, also finding the end zone on a 21-yard run in the first quarter. Through five games the 5-foot-6, 155-pound Menge, who plays running back, wide receiver and defensive back, leads the Raiders in receptions, is averaging 6.6 yards a carry and is second on the team in tackles with 27. "I came into the offseason knowing if I put in the work I could play in all three parts of the game," Menge said. "When you put in the work in all three phases it's so good to execute on Friday night." Although Menge said playing defense is his favorite part of the game, he knows there's something magical about being able to excel on special teams. "If you can get points on special teams it helps the entire team out," Menge said. "It was great to be playing football out in the rain and we have great kids on the special teams unit to block for me so I could make the returns." Menge has been just one of many outstanding performers on special teams this season for Columbia, which heads into tonight's home game against Wellington with a 4-1 record, 2-1 in Lorain County League play. Junior kicker Jack Washburn is 18-of-19 on extra-points and had four touchbacks against Oberlin, while Ambrose Beach his averaging 43.2 yards per punt. "Special teams is such an important piece and sometimes it can kind of get lost in the shuffle of practice time," Rice said. "When you're able to score 12 points off of them it's such a huge sway of momentum. "Coach (Dan) Durante does such a great job with our special teams." Menge seems to find different ways to contribute in every game. He had his first 100-yard rushing game against Firelands, when he carried the ball eight time for 108 yards. A week later he was shut down offensively in a loss to Keystone but led the way on defense with seven tackles and a fumble recovery. "I hope I make the coaches happy that a sophomore can go out there and contribute," Menge said. Menge grew up around the Raiders program. His brother, Owen, was an All-Ohio defensive back for Columbia in 2021 before heading off to Otterbein, where he'is now a starting wide receiver. "His familiarity with the program and how we coach and what it's like to be on the Columbia football team allowed him to come in and hit the ground running as a young player," Rice said. Menge isn't just a standout on the football field. He averaged over seven points a game playing varsity basketball as a freshman and was third on the baseball team in batting last spring. "He does a great job in his training," Rice said. "His offseason training is really in-eason training because he's a three-sport athlete. He does a great job of taking care of his body and that's such an important piece when you're playing on both sides of the ball and special teams. It's a lot of sacrifice and hard work on his end to be physically ready." Menge, who rarely leaves the field during football games, believes he's always ready to give his team a full 48 minutes. "I put in the work and do a lot of conditioning," he said. "I'm really not even tired at the end of the game." While it's unlikely Menge will put together another multitouchdown effort in the return game again this season, his performance in all three parts of the game will be a key for Columbia as it hopes to get back in the LCL picture and secure a playoff berth in Division VI, Region 21. "We just want to try to put Logan in the best scenarios to be successful," Rice said. "We want to use his skill set to the best of his ability." Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.