By Darren Cooper – Record Sports Columnist
Logan Mahoney has already seen Pompton Lakes’ last four sectional championships up close.
When the Cardinals had their three-peat from 2011-2013 he served as the team ball boy and he said he’s still recognized by referees. In 2005, the Cardinals first appearance at then-Giants Stadium, he called in a special favor to get on the field for the celebration after the 27-7 win over Hasbrouck Heights.
“At the end of the game when they won, I wanted to get on the field, but security wouldn’t let me,” said Logan, who was six-years old at the time. “I yelled for [quarterback] Bob Mathews to go get my Dad and he got me on the field.”
That’s one of the many reasons why Logan, now a senior, is still fond of Mathews, a wrestling/football standout for the Cardinals. And why the 2005 team will always be one of his favorites.
And it’s proof that there are perks to being the only son of Pompton Lakes head coach Scott Mahoney.
“My Dad [Ed] coached me at Pompton, so it’s one of the things I always wanted to do,” said Scott, who has guided the Cardinals since 2005. “I’ve had the best seat in the house for everyone of his games.”
The father/son dynamic is complicated enough, not to mention coach/player, but the Mahoneys understand it well (Logan also has two younger sisters). Scott says he tries to not bring sports into the house all the time, although he does admit to showing some wrestling moves from time to time on the hardwood floor.
“He’ll say, ‘get down here, I want to show you something,’” said Logan. “Then we will work on some moves.”
Logan says he knows when his dad is being dad and when his dad is being coach.
“He’s stern,” said Logan. “He’s not a softie, but he’s pretty in the middle. If you do something wrong, he will let you know. He holds me accountable for things.”
The two share a love of the outdoors, and like to ski and fish together. Scott is impressed with the way Logan can build things and use his hands.
At Pompton Lakes, Scott coaches all three sports, the only coach in North Jersey to lead three different varsity programs.
“All my kids have grown up on the sidelines,” said Scott. “I have a picture of Logan with the Cardinal (mascot) and our sledgehammer. He always seemed to enjoy it and that’s what you want to see. I never forced him to come to games. He wanted to come, and as a father I’ve gotten to spend a lot of time with him. It’s been a pleasure to watch him.”
Logan is a wide receiver and a part-time defensive back for the Cardinals. He leads them with three interceptions. He’s also their long snapper, because what coach doesn’t want to trust one of the hardest single activities in a game to someone he knows well?
“We have a lot of talent on the field,” said Scott. “He does his role. I was surprised as anybody how well he has played on defense when he went out there. He talks about that more than anything – how he wants to play defense.”
“It’s fun playing with your dad, it can’t get much better,” said Logan. “When you win, he can celebrate right there with you.”
Scott hits all the right notes as a dad and a coach when talking about the future. He knows coaching your own son can come with some pitfalls, and preconceived notions from others, but also feels like Logan is on the right path toward success.
“I’m going to miss him, but I have said to a few people I’m also looking forward to not coaching when your son is there, you make a lot of decisions here and there that impact him, and I want to see what he does with his life going forward,” said Scott. “I will miss him, but I’m anxious to see where he goes with his life from here.”
