By Matt Vines, The DeSoto Parish Journal 

LOGANSPORT – Steven Holloway has the look, and the feel, of a typical middle linebacker. The two-time all-stater is part hype man, part wrecking ball for the Logansport defense. 

But it’s been Holloway’s ability to mold into a calm and steady quarterback in his final high school season that’s boosted the Tigers to the Division IV Non-Select quarterfinals, where No. 1 seed Logansport (10-1) will host No. 8 Welsh (9-3) on Friday. 

“His biggest improvement is the mental and emotional aspect of playing quarterback,” said Logansport coach Kevin Magee, a prized quarterback who led Logansport to the 1995 state title. “When he transitioned to quarterback this spring, he still had that emotion he played with on defense. 

“There are a lot of quarterbacks who understand the position but can’t handle the emotions that come with this position. The guy who takes the snaps needs to be an even-keel leader, a steady voice in the huddle that his team believes in. That’s what being a quarterback is about instead of just playing the position.” 

The transition to the even-keeled offensive leader has been a process, but Magee said Holloway has slowly fit that mold. 

Early in the season, Holloway would go to the sidelines on defensive third downs or miss defensive series all together in an attempt to rein in his emotions. 

“It was a rough transition to begin with,” Magee said. “We were playing him about half the time, and then we’d sub him out on third downs so he could take a breath. 

“But lately, he’s handled that transition flawlessly. That emotion as a linebacker is what gets his motor going – he’s a competitive guy. He can still be that emotional leader on defense, and then he can switch to the calming and stable mindset as a quarterback on offense.” 

Reading a defense and making correct decisions has been a plus. 

Holloway feasted on the Franklin defense in a 58-12 second-round win by completing 15-of-18 passes for 296 yards and four touchdowns. 

Five different receivers caught passes this past week with Dakamden Flemon leading the way with four receptions with 121 yards and a touchdown. D’avery Robinson added two touchdown catches with Jakerrion Wilson supplying another. 

“He’s made more progress in the last three months than any kid I’ve ever tutored,” Magee said. “His buy-in is where it starts. 

“He’s mature, and you can count on him to make the right reads and check the ball down when he needs to. His putting our receivers in positions to get yards after the catch, and he’s been especially good on third down. That’s an area where we haven’t been as good in the past.” 

On the Welsh sideline, quarterback Jonavon Begnaud is the focal point as a passer and a runner. 

Running back Hayden Van Ness balances the Greyhound offense. 

“They are steady – not really explosive but they don’t solely rely on the run or pass,” Magee said. “They can throw it in certain situations that can put you in a bind.  

“There’s a lot of motion and eye candy with their offense, and they’ll use multiple formations. They have shovel passes and throwbacks and laterals, so we really have to pay attention on who is lined up where.”  

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