Louisville At West Branch 1971 Football Highlights

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Louisville 29, West Branch 15

On September 11, 1971, the Louisville Leopards rallied from a fourth quarter deficit to defeat the host West Branch Warriors 29-15 in the season opener.

Louisville got the early edge with two second quarter touchdowns. The first came on a 13 yard pass from Quarterback John Doerschuk to Doug Shook and the second came via an 84 yard run by Ed Baker. Baker would finish with 129 yards on just 9 carries. However, since the Leopards failed both of their conversion attempts, the score remained 12-0 at the half.

West Branch took control of the game with back-to-back touchdowns on receptions of 1 and 34 yards from Quarterback Jeff Heocock to Bruce Close. A Heacock to Greg Chepke two-point conversion pass put the Warriors up 15-12 with 10:12 left to play in the contest. Heacock finished the contest completing 9 of 11 passes for 97 yards.

The Leopards answered back by mounting a furious comeback that produced 17 points over the final 4:46. First Doerschuk and Shook connected again for a 22 yard score to put Louisville up by a field goal. Then Ken Kuhn hit Tim Wallace for the two-point conversion and the Leopards led 20-15.

The Louisville defense pinned West Branch back on their ensuing possession forcing them to punt deep in their own end. The Warriors punt ended up being blocked by Ron Kandel and the ball bounced out of the endzone for a safety. Baker would scamper into the endzone from 30 yards out on offense to remove all doubt in making the score 29-15.

The Leopards finished with 11 first downs, 174 yards rushing, and 83 yards passing.

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Scoring Summary

Louisville 0-12-0-17–29

West Branch 0-0-7-8–15

1st Quarter

None

2ND Quarter

Louisville – Doug Shook 13 Yard Pass from John Doerschuk (Kick Failed), 6-0

Louisville – Ed Baker 84 Yard Run (Run Failed), 12-0

3RD Quarter 

West Branch – Bruce Close 1 Yard Pass from Jeff Heocock (Greenwalt Kick), 12-7

4TH Quarter

West Branch – Bruce Close 34 Yard Pass from Jeff Heocock (Greg Chepke Pass from Jeff Heocock), 12-15

Louisville – Doug Shook 22 Yard Pass from John Doerschuk (Tim Wallace Pass From Ken Kuhn), 20-15

Louisville – Safety, Ron Kandel Blocked Punt in Endzone, 22-15

Louisville – Ed Baker 30 Yard Run (Ken Kun Kick), 29-15

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