Warren's Tanner Pepper celebrates by himself as he awaits teammates after his 37-yard touchdown run in the first quarter of the Warriors' eventual 27-21 overtime victory Friday night versus visiting Logan. Pepper scored on an 8-yard TD burst in the third and ended the game on the Warriors' first play from scrimmage in OT when he darted 20 yards to paydirt. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

VINCENT — A pair of 0-2 programs in search of their first victory of the season needed overtime to settle things here Friday night at Warrior Stadium as visiting Logan came up just short of Warren in a 27-21 setback.

“We knew we’d get their best shot,” admitted WHS first-year boss Jason Gandee, who watched star wideout turned signal-caller Tanner Pepper tally a trio of touchdowns that included the game-winner via a 20-yard jaunt to paydirt on the first play for the Warriors in OT. “We’re just trying to figure out some things.

“All of our plans, our best laid plans, went awry in week one. We’re slowly but surely trying to get our feet under us. Man, it was just good to get a win against a good friend of mine who has done a lot for me and my family, and I appreciate it. I had a good conversation with him afterward. I’m just happy for our kids.”

Logan, which heads next Friday to Pickerington Central, managed to force the extra session after quarterback Carson Tootle scored on fourth-and-goal from the 1 with 7:12 remaining and Hunter Pippen kicked the extra point to tie it at 21-all and cap a 12-play, 73-yard scoring march.

A 60-yard kickoff return by Jude Daly put the Warriors in business at the Chieftain 28, but a lost fumble ended the threat as Pippen’s potential 42-yard game-winning field goal was well short.

Warren running back Eric Carr finished with game-highs of 19 rushes for 140 yards during the Warriors' 27-21 overtime victory Friday night versus visiting Logan. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Pepper, who was called into action last week following an injury to sophomore QB Braylen Murray, scored on a 37-yard keeper at 9:43 of the first as the hosts led 7-0 following Jackson Venham’s extra point.

The Warriors, who welcome Mountain State Class AA program Independence to town next Friday, forced a three-and-out and drove into the red zone, but Venham’s 35-yard field goal attempt was off the mark.

Logan, which got a team-high 98 yards rushing from Tootle as he completed 13 of 24 attempts for 134 stripes, marched down the field in the second quarter, but was unable to get on the scoreboard when Pippen’s 23-yard field goal attempt went wide right.

Pepper was picked off by Tottle on the ensuing possession and coach Peyton’s squad was able to go into the break even after his QB scored from 7 yards out and Pippen’s PAT was true.

Logan tight end Jim Carver, who finished with game-highs of six catches for 81 yards, hauled in a 37-yard grab on the first play of the second half as Logan took its first lead at the 8:30 mark on James Peyton’s 4-yard run. The sophomore Peyton was called into action following an injury to Ethan Courtney.

Warren's Cale Castin, left, and teammate Jayce Hilverding stop Logan running back Ethan Courtney during the Warriors' 27-21 overtime victory Friday night. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Warren wasted little time in answering the 8-play, 75-yard scoring drive as a 9-yard pass to Daly was followed by a gallop of 42 yards from Eric Carr, who finished with game-highs of 19 carries for 140 yards. On the next play, Pepper scored from 8 yards out, but the score remained 14-13 as Venham’s PAT was blocked.

Logan’s next possession saw Tootle get sacked by Craig Bennett following a holding call when the Chieftains had it first-and-10 at the WHS 45. Two plays after that, Peyton hauled in a pass but fumbled as Jayce Hilverding was there to pounce on it.

After taking over at the Logan 43 and getting 10 yards in two plays for a first down, Carr took an option pitch from Pepper and raced toward the end zone. Around the 10, he did a stutter step, cut it back and waltzed into the end zone. Pepper’s run for two made it 21-14 with 0:22 left in the third.

A roughing the passer call aided Logan’s ensuing possession, which resulted in the eventual sneak from the 1 by Tootle.

“I’m making the best of it,” admitted Pepper. “Last week they told me Friday morning I was playing quarterback. I went out and played Friday. Didn’t have the best game. Got a week under my belt. Came out, played my butt off and came out with a dub. It’s great. We started off rough.

Warren head coach Jason Gandee earned his first career win Friday night following a 27-21 overtime triumph versus Logan at Warrior Stadium. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

“A lot of young guys, Kolten Venham at the end of the game making a play. Stepping up and making a play. It’s been a long time, new coach, got a lot of graduates but we stepped up, played hard, played hard all game, didn’t give up and came out with a dub.”

The freshman Venham, who is the Warriors’ punter, made a key solo tackle in overtime on Tootle when he was held for a gain of 2 yards on a fourth-and-4 snap from the 14.

Pepper finished with 71 ground yards on a dozen totes.

“I’ll tell you something,” added coach Gandee. “Tanner Pepper is chasing records as a receiver and as a two-time All-Ohio wide receiver and has willingly stepped into a role that he’s not that comfortable in for the team. What a lesson for other kids and what a statement about him as a kid and a person.”

Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com