Louisville Leopards at Alliance Aviators 2015 Football Preview
Louisville Leopards (2-1) at Alliance Aviators (0-3)
SPREAD: Louisville By 26 (According to Drew Pasteur’s Fantastic 50)
WHEN: Friday, September 18 at 7:00 PM
WHERE: Mount Union Stadium
RADIO: None
TV: WIVM Channel 39.1, Time Warner Cable Digital 989 and Massillon Cable Channel 22 or 21 (Delayed Broadcast Begins at 11:00 PM)
HIGHLIGHTS: Will be available following the game late Friday night or early Saturday morning right here on louisvilleleopards.org
SERIES
ALL-TIME SERIES: Louisville leads the all-time series 13-4-1, which includes a 7-2 record at Alliance.
LAST MEETING: The Leopards erupted for a 56-14 victory against the Aviators back on October 24, 2014.
View 2014 Video Highlights & Recap
LAST MEETING AT ALLIANCE: The Leopards won 24-21 at Alliance back on October 25, 2013.
View 2013 Video Highlights & Recap
Schedules:
| Louisville Schedule | Alliance Schedule | |||
| WK | Opponent | Result | Opponent | Result |
| 1 | Canfield | W 40-14 | Barberton | L 6-34 |
| 2 | North Canton Hoover | W 33-20 | at Canfield | L 20-35 |
| 3 | at Austintown Fitch | L 19-37 | at Crestview | L 28-49 |
| 4 | at Alliance | 9/18 | Louisville | 9/18 |
| 5 | at Minerva | 9/25 | at Canton South | 9/25 |
| 6 | Marlington | 10/2 | West Branch | 10/2 |
| 7 | at West Branch | 10/9 | at Carrollton | 10/9 |
| 8 | Carrollton | 10/16 | Salem | 10/16 |
| 9 | Salem | 10/23 | Minerva | 10/23 |
| 10 | at Canton South | 10/30 | at Marlington | 10/30 |
PREVIEW
Non-Conference Play has ended and the Leopards are on the prowl for another NBC Title. It begins Friday Night at Alliance. While last year’s game was by no means a nail-biter, the previous two contests in this rivalry were decided by 5 points or less. The game at Alliance two years ago was the last time an NBC Team got within single digits of a Louisville squad. With many returning starters from last year, the Aviators plan to throw their best at the reigning 2-Time NBC Champions. Can Alliance pull the massive upset for their first win of the season? Or will Louisville dominate like they did last year? We shall find out Friday!
LEOPARDS
The Leopards have averaged 380 Yards (282 Passing, 98 Rushing) and 31 Points Per Game, while allowing 228 Yards (114 Passing, 114 Rushing) and 24 Points Per Contest. Louisville has dominated the statistics in each of their first three contests, which includes their 37-19 loss at Austintown Fitch last week. The Leopards achilles heal has been turnovers as they have committed 10 through their first 3 games, while also taking away 6 from the opposition.
Quarterback Jake Adams has emerged as the leader of the Louisville Offense as he has completed 65 of 93 passes (70% Completions) for 842 yards and 10 touchdowns. Tyler Adams (26 Catches, 358 Yards, 4 Touchdowns) leads the team in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Other playmakers in the passing game include Alec Jones (21 Catches, 212 Yards, 3 Touchdowns), Conner Bast (9 Catches, 165 Yards, 2 Touchdowns), and Brock Haren (7 Catches, 59 Yards).
Runningback Rahzul Young has also proven to be a dual threat. Young leads the team in rushing with 60 Attempts for 275 Yards and 2 Touchdowns and has also caught 3 Passes for 52 Yards and a Touchdown. Young pulled a Braxton Miller-like spin to fool the Falcons last Friday at Fitch and should play a big role in Friday’s game against an Alliance defense that is giving up 6.6 yards per carry.
On Defense, Linebacker Frankie Falcone (21.5 Tackles, 15 Solo, 3 Tackles for Loss, 1 Sack, 1 Interception) has had a nose for the football all year in leading the team in all statistical categories involving tackles. Linebacker Kyle Ashcraft (15.5 Tackles, 2.5 Tackles for Loss, 1 Sack) and Defensive Backs Casey Nau (17 Tackles, 2.5 Sacks, 1 Pass Break-Up), Stephen Kerzan (14 Tackles, 1 Force Fumble), & Dalton Deckerd (13 Tackles, 1 Tackle for Loss) have also used the same scent to fly to ballcarriers. Other Playmakers on the Leopards Defense include Daichi Castles (10 Tackles, 1 Tackle for Loss, 2.5 Sacks), Cade Stertzbach (9 Tackles, 2 Sacks), Reis Rankin (7 Tackles, 0.5 Sacks, 1 Pass Break-Up), Cody Allgood (6 Tackles, 1 Interception, 1 Pass Break-Up), Jimmy Leonard (5.5 Tackles, 1 Tackle for Loss, 0.5 Sacks, 1 Fumble Recovery, 1 Pass Break-Up), Dillon Deckerd (0.5 Sacks, 1 Pass Break-Up), and Brody Hahn (2 Interceptions, 2 Pass Break-Ups).
On Special Teams, Tyler Adams has averaged 17.6 yards on 8 kick returns with a long of 29 and has returned 1 punt for 13 yards. Hahn has also averaged 15.7 yards on 2 kick returns and has taken back 4 punts as well. Kicker Trevor Burk has yet to attempt a field goal, but is 8 of 11 on extra point kicks this season. At Punter, Jake Adams has averaged 36.3 yards on 7 punts with a long of 52.
AVIATORS
The Aviators have averaged 299 Yards (142 Passing, 157 Rushing) and 18 Points Per Contest while allowing 379 Yards (39 Passing, 340 Rushing) and 39 Points Per Game. Alliance has turned the ball over 6 Times this season (2 Fumbles Lost, 4 Interceptions), while recording 3 Takeways (3 Fumble Recoveries).
Quarterback Senior Aeyron Williams (32 of 64 for 420 Yards and 4 Touchdowns Passing and 29 Carries 
for 64 Yards Rushing) commands the Aviators Aerial Attack. His top targets include DJ Hancock (10 Catches, 151 Yards), Devernte’ Martin (4 Catches, 84 Yards, 2 Touchdowns), Elijah Hill (1 Catch, 55 Yards), Tyler Williams (3 Catches, 32 Yards, 1 Touchdown,), and Austin Lilly (5 Catches, 20 Yards).
The Aviators are averaging 5.7 yards per carry this season led by a variety of Sophomores including Runningback Duce Johnson (27 Carries, 233 Yards, 2 Touchdowns) who leads the team in rushing yardage and scores. Sophomore Quarterback Howard Frazier (7 Carries, 101 Yards) has made the most of his playing time by averaging 14.4 yards per carry and Sophomore Runningback Marcus Davis (13 Carries, 45 Yards) has also taken on part of the load.
The Alliance Defense is led by Davis who has made a team-leading 18 Tackles at Linebacker this season (14 Solo). Other’s making an impact in the Linebacking Core include Keith House (4 Tackles, 1 Tackle for Loss, 1 Sack), Johnson (12 Tackles, 1 Tackle for Loss, 1 Sack), and Tyler Williams (8 Tackles). Defensive Lineman Jai’Ron Brackett (11 Tackles, 1 Tackle for Loss, 1 Sack) has fallen on both of Alliance’s fumble recoveries this season. Other contributors on the defensive front include Zach Blume (8 Tackles, 2 Tackles for Loss, 1 Sack), Devon Hickman (1 Sack), and Xavier Terrell (10 Tackles, 1 Tackle for Loss). The Aviators Secondary includes Hancock (4 Tackles, 1 Pass Break-Up), Frazier (12 Tackles, 1 Tackle for Loss), Devontay Nickson (12 Tackles, 1 Fumble Recovery), Dayshawn Deprill (6 Tackles, 1 Tackle for Loss, 1 PBU), and Jesse Geier (6 Tackles).
On Special Teams, multi-sport athlete Bryce Hood has made 4 of his 5 extra point attempts and has averaged 50.6 yards per kick return this season. Frazier has also averaged 31.8 yards on 11 punts this season with a long of 40. In the return game, Martin has seen the most action averaging 16.3 yards on 6 kick returns this year. Geier has also averaged 11.0 yards on 2 punt returns and 18.5 yards on 2 kick returns. Others who have played a factor in the kick return game include Hill (1 return, 41.0 avg.) and Hancock (2 returns, 26.0 avg.).
