ST. CLAIRSVILLE — From one winning program to another.

Such is the path for recent St. Clairsville graduate Logan Shields.

Shields, a four-year mainstay for the Red Devils football program, will continue both his academic and grid careers at Division III powerhouse Mount Union.

“It was a tough decision, but I think it’s the best place and fit for me – both for football and academically,” Shields said. “The academics were really the biggest thing because that was my main focus, but they definitely have a really good football program that’s been good for a really long time.”

Shields was all over the field from his linebacker post as both a junior and senior. During his final campaign with Coach Brett McLean’s squad, Shields posted 33 solo tackles, forced two fumbles, broke up six passes and recorded a sack.

On the offensive side of the ball, Shields spent much of his time as a fullback, but finished with nearly 800 yards rushing over the last couple of seasons and he scored 11 offensive touchdowns.

Most importantly, for Shields, was the amount of winning the Red Devils did during his career.

“My high school career was amazing because we got to experience a lot of things that many kids don’t get to in terms of winning championships and going far in the playoffs,” Shields said.

When he arrives in Alliance later this summer to begin his career as a Purple Raider, Shields knows he’ll be basically starting all over again.

“It’s definitely going to be different, especially in terms of being at the bottom of the (totum) pole again,” Shields said. “Obviously, mental toughness will be big because they’re going to bring in a large class of freshmen and it’s going to be hard. But, I am just trying to get bigger, faster and stronger, learn their playbook as best I can and be as prepared as possible to play at that level.”

Along with his football career, Shields was a multiple-year letterman in baseball. He spent the last two seasons as the Red Devils’ every day second baseman.

Logan, who is the son of Eric and Heather Shields, plans to major in exercise physiology and hopes to eventually become a physical therapist.