EDWARDSVILLE — Logan Garman, a senior guard on the Edwardsville football team’s offensive line, is expected to be one of the Tigers’ top leaders as Edwardsville embarks on its 2026 campaign.
Garman is helping anchor the line for a team that finished 4-6 last season and reached the IHSA Class 7A playoffs before losing in the first round on the road to Oak Lawn Richards. The Tigers opened practice Aug. 5 at Tiger Stadium, where Garman said summer sessions went well and that has continued through the fall workouts.
Logan is an Edison’s Entertainment Complex Male Athlete Of The Month for the Tigers.
Garman said his goals for the season include helping Edwardsville make a deeper postseason run and continuing to grow as a leader.
“I think we’re going to go far in the playoffs this year,” Garman said. “That’s kind of our big team goal this year. For me, I’d say to work on the leadership skills this year, improve them a lot. Hopefully, it transitions to everyone else.”
The season will include changes in both the IHSA playoffs and the Southwestern Conference. The IHSA has expanded the playoffs to 40 teams in all eight classes for this season.
The Southwestern Conference also has expanded, with Collinsville readmitted in football, Granite City readmitted in all sports, and Triad and Mascoutah joining after the demise of the Mississippi Valley Conference. The changes divide the SWC into two divisions.
Edwardsville will compete in the Gold Division with O’Fallon, East St. Louis, Belleville East and Belleville West. The Black Division will include Alton, Triad, Mascoutah, Granite City and Collinsville.
Garman said the expanded competition will bring new matchups for the Tigers.
“It’s going to be weird,” Garman said. “Some teams, you’ve never faced before; some teams you’ve never really come across when you’re playing, no matter what age level you are. But it’s going to be interesting, it’s going to be fun for a new experience, kind of in the playoffs.”
Edwardsville’s first test will come against Kankakee, and Garman said the offensive line is focused on preparation.
“We’re preparing a lot for them,” Garman said. “Especially the O-Line getting the fronts right, learning all of our calls, getting it all ready.”
Garman said he sees his role as someone who helps the team and works with other returning seniors to guide the Tigers through practices and mistakes.
“I would say I help with the team a lot,” Garman said. “We’ve got a couple of big seniors, returning starters, to come back and help push the team along those tough practices, or those mental mistakes.”
