NEWTON, N.C. — Being a galvanizing leader is tough in any sport, let alone football in what is considered the most important position on the field at quarterback.
Newton-Conover High School senior Logan Adair felt the brunt of that as a first-year starter with the varsity program in 2023.
When things go according to plan, a quarterback may be revered. However, when a squad finishes with a subpar record like the Red Devils did at 3-7 overall, an athlete in Adair’s shoes is set to a higher standard.
Adair began his stint on varsity with the Red Devils as a sophomore in 2022 as a back-up to graduate Aidan Luangkhot.
He said that he began playing the quarterback position when he was just four-years-old with the now-defunct Conover Cowboys under the Spring Youth Football Alliance.
“I wasn’t even supposed to be playing yet,” he said. “I was just meant for it. I guess I always just like being the first to touch the ball and run off and score and think I was [playing like] Cam Newton.”
He got his first taste of this experience in the season-opening contest against Polk County on Aug. 19, 2022.
In the 42-28 losing effort, Adair collected 129 passing yards on an 11-for-19 clip (57 percent) while connecting to receivers Javier Lineberger and Ryder Bush-Ivanko for a pair of touchdowns.
He rushed the ball twice for eight yards and a TD. Despite this, he also threw three interceptions in his varsity debut.
Adair would play behind center only three more times during the 2022 season in Catawba Valley 2A Conference action opposing West Caldwell, Bunker Hill and Maiden.
In the 64-6 victory against West Caldwell on Sept. 16, Adair only had two pass attempts in garbage time, one of which he completed for 25 yards.
His next game as an underclassman was a 38-27 loss to the Bears. In that contest, Adair obtained 50 yards on a 6-for-13 outing including a TD.
Former Red Devils head coach Steve Pack allowed him to play in the program’s season finale on Oct. 28, against the Blue Devils in yet another losing effort, 47-13. Adair completed seven of his 11 pass attempts, but due to his inexperience with inconsistent play, he tossed two interceptions. He finished with 105 passing yards and a TD but also got sacked for an 8-yard loss.
With some experience under his belt, Adair rolled into his junior season in 2023 proving he belonged.
His first game with control of the offense was at home in Gurley Stadium against West Henderson on Aug. 18.
Adair netted 186 yards and a pair of TDs to receiver Maleec Fleming and Ty Miller. He connected on six of his 37 pass attempts to Miller for 70 yards. Despite throwing a pair of interceptions, Adair converted 54 percent of his passes. He also rushed for a TD in the loss.
Although the Red Devils only won three games last season, Adair threw under 50 percent only once in 10 games, and that was in a 34-12 loss against rival Maiden.
Adair’s second game as an official starter was on Aug. 25, 2023, in a 56-36 home loss against eventual 3A state champs, Hickory. He had one of his best games of the season against its longstanding rival. He converted 20 of his 30 pass attempts for 319 yards and had a pair of TDs while only throwing one interception.
With great poise in the pocket against a stacked team like Hickory, it gave Adair the confidence as the 2023 season progressed. His best outing in his varsity career so far was in a 47-14 win over conference opponent, West Caldwell.
Adair carved up the Warriors’ defense for a career-best 411 yards through the air on an efficient 21-for-24 clip (88 percent). He also notched a career-best seven TD passes in the victory. In this effort, he found his receiver Michael Sifford for 170 yards. Sifford had a trio of TDs while securing seven receptions.
Adair finished his junior campaign with 2,334 passing yards which was in the top 10 of the 2A league and in the top 2 of the CVAC just behind Bunker Hill’s Redek Robinson.
He converted 159 of his 247 pass attempts (64 percent). He also threw 28 TD passes and 13 interceptions. He demonstrated his ability to scramble a bit, as well, obtaining three TDs on the ground.
“I honestly wish I would have played varsity my whole sophomore year and that would have helped dramatically this year,” he said. “It kind of sucks just looking back at it and going 3-7 again that year when I know we would have been a way better team if things were rearranged.
“The interception part, I think last year was just me getting adjusted to varsity and the different pace of the game; I was still nervous during some of those games and it showed by me not slowing things down during a read progression or just looking at one individual receiver. Now, I’m comfortable reading defenses, being patient [and] waiting for my guys to get open and just overall playing the best football I have; right now, it couldn’t be better, [and] I’m ready to showcase the arm.”
Adair has great expectations for his final prep season under new head coach Matt Wilson.
Wilson is returning to his Alma mater as its next head coach after previously being its offensive coordinator from 2008-12. He also played quarterback for the Red Devils under coaching legend Nick Bazzle; he then coached alongside Bazzle with the Red Devils and then again at Alexander Central for an additional four seasons.
At Alexander Central, Wilson was primarily an offensive coordinator before heading to West Iredell as its head coach in the 3A league. He brings 15 years of experience to the same position at Newton-Conover. At West Iredell, he led the program to a 3A state playoff appearance in 2023.
“Coach Wilson is the best coach I’ve ever seen and it shows, especially him playing quarterback,” said Adair. “He understands and knows what I’m seeing because he has been in the exact same position so it’s easier to talk to him and it’s just better communication having someone who has played your position knowing how to coach it well and understand where you are making errors or making the right read.”
Wilson said that since coming back to Newton-Conover, he and his coaching staff have watched every game from last season forward and backward and noticed a lot of issues in all phases of the game that need improving including the turnover battle which Adair admittedly struggled with in 2023.
“Logan has an extremely high football IQ. He understands play concepts, how to read coverages, and how to get us into a different play when the defense is allowing us to,” said Wilson. “Logan knows as a QB his most important job is to move the chains, take what the defense gives us, and keep our defense off the field. The number one way you do this is take care of the football and minimize mistakes.
“This offseason we have emphasized: pass protection, play action plays off our running game, and overall just lessening the burden on him where he feels he has to make something happen. He is a talented young man with a lot of skill. We just got to do a good job as coaches, allowing him to make plays and not making him feel rushed and forced to do so.”
Wilson said that he believes Adair will make a lot of plays for the team this season.
“[We] have stressed the importance of “IT” intangibles that a QB must possess which include: leadership–being a great teammate, controlling the tempo/managing the game, [having] short term memory when a bad play happens [and] doing whatever it takes to WIN,” he said.
Furthermore, Adair talked about his chemistry with fellow senior Michael Sifford. He had his best showing last season, tossing the ball to Sifford in the aforementioned contest against West Caldwell.
“Mich [is] my brother man,” he said. “Me and him together on the field are unstoppable. We got one of the best QB to WR chemistry’s ever; his work ethic is crazy and he is a dog for real. Expect nothing but big things from No. 2 and No. 4 because they’re gonna give you six.”
Sifford recently received his first two collegiate offers in July from Carleton College (Division III) in Northfield, Minnesota and Catawba College (Division II) in Salisbury, N.C.
Wilson alluded to the fact that Adair and Sifford already have a connection from playing together for a long time.
“They communicate well pre-snap and when a play breaks down “Deuce” always seems to know where “Mich” is,” he said. “However, defenses are going to know where Mich is as well. So, we got to do a good job of getting creative with him and finding our matchups.
“What is going to help our coaching staff with this is our core of other receivers. We like the speed and length of our skill guys. We just got to find the right combination of guys to put out there and let them showcase their abilities.”
When it comes to Adair’s work in the off-season, he said that all of the camps that he’s been to have been a great learning experience.
“The coaches at the camps just teach you way better and advanced skills, and it helps you a lot,” he said. “I will definitely be taking a lot of what I learned this summer and insert that into my game for this fall.”
As far as working towards a collegiate level spot, Adair said that he’s been in contact with several coaches from around North Carolina. He said that he’s still waiting on his first offer, but that whoever takes the chance on him is not going to regret it. He believes that by the end of this season he’ll find a good fit and home at the next level.
Along with a collegiate offer, another thing that alluded Adair in 2023 was an All-Catawba Valley 2A Conference nod despite his passing numbers.
He will aim to display his talent even more once the season begins on Aug. 23. The Red Devils open up with a road contest against West Henderson. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
