West Branch Warriors at Louisville Leopards 2014 Football Preview

West Branch Warriors (2-3, 1-1) at Louisville Leopards (4-1, 2-0)

SPREAD: Louisville By 28 (According to Drew Pasteur’s Fantastic 50)

WHEN: Friday, October 3 at 7:00 PM

WHERE: Louisville Leopards Stadium

RADIO: None

TV: None

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 22-7, which includes an 11-4 record at home.

VIEW FULL ALL-TIME SERIES

LAST MEETING: The Leopards won at West Branch 48-0 back on October 4, 2013.

View 2013 Video Highlights & Recap

LAST MEETING AT LOUISVILLE: The Warriors won at Louisville 21-17 back on October 12, 2012.

View 2012 Video Highlights & Recap

Schedules:

PREVIEW

The Louisville Leopards are riding high after gaining a huge victory  at Carrollton last week. They control their destiny the rest of the way in terms of both the conference crown and in terms of gaining a playoff birth. After 4 out of 5 games on the road to start the season, the Leopards are ready to come home to their own turf where they will be looking to earn their 600th All-Time Victory (Currently 599-272-36 All-Time). The Warriors picked up a 30-14 victory last week when they hosted Canton South and will need to win this game to have any hope of making the playoffs. West Branch has fond memories of the last time they played at Louisville Leopards Stadium when they won 21-17. That victory was the Leopards first NBC loss at the new stadium after seven consecutive league wins to open the new facility. The Warriors will also look to try to erase the memory of their 48-0 home loss to Louisville a year ago. This Classic NBC rivalry will be renewed once again Friday Night!

LEOPARDS

The balanced Leopards Offense has averaged 329 Yards (166 Rushing, 162 Passing) and 33 Points Per Contest. Quarterback Connor Zwick had his best performance of the year last week at Carrollton and leads the team in total yardage. Zwick has completed 57 of 88 passes for 696 Yards and has 10 Touchdowns against 4 Interceptions. He has also rushed for 389 yards on a team-high 61 carries (6.4 average) and has 4 touchdowns on the ground. Runningback Walter Schrock has also broken free for a team-leading 410 yards on 58 Carries (7.1 Average) and has scored 5 rushing touchdowns.

In their spread offense, Louisville has five different players who have tallied over 100 receiving yards and also scored a touchdown this season. They include Kyle Woost (21 Catches, 155 Yards, 2 Touchdowns), Ryan Lautner (11 Catches, 176 Yards, 2 Touchdowns), Alec Jones (11 Catches, 162 Yards, 5 Touchdowns), Josh Swanson (7 Catches, 149 Yards, 1 Touchdown), and Tyler Adams (7 Catches, 131 Yards, 3 Touchdowns). The Warriors ball-hawking secondary will be busy if the Leopards get rolling.

Linebacker Kyle Ashcraft had 9 Tackles, 1 Sack, and 1 Tackle for a loss in the game last Friday at Carrollton. Ashcraft sustained a shoulder injury last week, but will likely play this week. He continues to lead the team in tackles with 36 this season. Defensive Back Jake Mathie (26 Tackles, 1 Tackle for Loss, 2 Pass Breakups) can fly to the ball and is seemingly in on every play. The ball always seems to find the hands of Linebacker Casey Nau (21.5 Tackles, 3 Tackles for Loss, 1 Sack) as he has become a takeaway machine (2 Fumble Recoveries, 1 Interception).

Other defensive leaders for Louisville that will look to make an impact against West Branch include Stephen Kerzan (21.5 Tackles, 1 Force Fumble, 1 Fumble Recovery, 1 Interception, 2 Pass Breakups), Dalton Deckerd (16.5 Tackles, 1 Tackle for Loss, 1 Sack), Frankie Falcone (13.5 Tackles, 3 Sacks), Joe Crank (10.5 Tackles, 1 Tackle for Loss, 1 Force Fumble, 2 Interceptions, 2 Pass Breakups), Marco Buccasso (10.5 Tackles, 2 Tackles for Loss, 1 Sack, 1 Fumble Recovery), Tanner Brahler (10 Tackles, 1 Tackle for Loss, 2 Sacks), and Cade Stertzbach (2 Tackles for Loss, 2 Fumble Recoveries). Defensive Lineman Diachi Castles (17 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 2 Tackles for Loss, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Fumble Recovery) is Doubtful for Friday’s game in order to rest his knee that he injured last week against the Warriors.

On Special Teams, Kicker Austin Terra (20 of 22 Extra Points, 2 of 4 Field Goals) suffered a Soccer injury in a game at Akron Ellet last Saturday and will be Questionable to play the next two games. Head Coach John Demarco nearly made history this week when he tried out 2-Time Girls Soccer Player of the Year Rachel Baughman who hit a 40 Yard Field Goal in practice. However, administration denied the roster move so the Leopards kicking situation remains a mystery. Zwick’s ability to scramble when punting has helped limit the opposition to just 2 returns for 18 yards. Zwick has averaged 32.7 yards on 11 punts this season with a long of 53 and has buried 5 boots inside the 20. Adams has taken over as Louisville’s main kick returner averaging 30.4 yards on 5 returns with a long of 59. Crank returned a punt 61 yards last week to setup a Leopards fourth quarter touchdown. Crank has averaged 14.5 yards on 8 punt returns this season.

WARRIORS

At the halfway point of the regular season, the West Branch Offense is averaging 364 Yards (166 Rushing, 198 Passing) and 27 Points Per Game. Senior Quarterback Corey Snyder has made up 73% of the Warriors 1818 total offensive yards this season. He has completed 71 of 147 passes (48%) for 947 yards and 11 touchdowns against 6 interceptions. Snyder is also the team’s leading rusher with 63 carries for 387 yards in 5 touchdowns. Snyder has plenty of targets in the passing game. Top receivers include Tight End Kip DeShields (31 Catches, 417 Yards, 6 Touchdowns) and Wide Receiver Bryce Butcher (16 Catches, 263 Yards, 1 Touchdown. Sophomore Runningback Rob Lozier has also been effective running the ball 30 times for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The West Branch defense has allowed 425 Yards (220 Passing, 205 Rushing) and 33 Points Per Contest this season. The Warriors defense has also recorded 9 takeaways (5 Interceptions, 4 Fumble Recoveries) at the midway point. Their Defensive Backfield has been key in forcing many of these turnovers and is led by Trae Hillyer who has a team leading 45 tackles & 2 fumble recoveries, Austin R. Smith and Butcher who have picked off two passes each, and Jerian Thomas who also recovered a fumble. Sophomore Defensive Lineman Nick Zinni also has an interception this year. West Branch will welcome the return of Linebacker Mason Hughes who suffered an injury earlier in the season. Other playmakers include Linebacker Aaron Mohr and Defensive Tackle John Yoho (8 Tackles Against Canton South).

On Special Teams, Kicker Matt Manley made a 21 yard field goal last week against Canton South and has also converted 9 PAT kicks this season. Punter Justin Stowe has averaged 38 yards per boot this season. Lozier has averaged 23.6 yards on 9 kick returns this season and Butcher has returned 9 punts at an average of 7.9 yards per return.