Louisville Squeaks Past Central Catholic 7-6 – Football
Louisville 7, Central Catholic 6
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The Louisville Leopards Varsity Football Team edged the visiting Canton Central Catholic Crusaders 7-6 on a rainy, windy Friday Night at Louisville Leopards Stadium. With their third straight home win, Louisville evens its record at 3-3 on the season.
Game Stats | Scoring Summary | Team Stats | Individual Stats
YSN Game Broadcast
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DiMarzio Runs for 104 Yards & a Touchdown
Runningback Owen DiMarzio carried the ball 19 times for 104 yards and a touchdown to lead the Leopard offense. DiMarzio broke loose for a 52 yard touchdown run to knot the game at 6-6 with 53 seconds remaining in the opening quarter.
The play capped off a 6 play, 80 yard scoring drive and answered Central’s lone touchdown. Tate Aljancic booted through the extra point to put Louisville in front 7-6. The Leopards would hold that lead to the end as neither team would score again throughout.
Thomas Strikes 1st for Central
Louisville fumbled the opening kickoff and snapped their first play from scrimmage at their own 12 yard line as a result. With ball security an issue in the pouring rain, the Leopards ran three plays that netted -8 yards and they punted out of their own endzone on 4th-and-18.
Central took over from the Louisville 46 following the punt and strung together a 12-play scoring drive that ate up 6:35 of game clock. Runningback Conner Thomas converted a pair of 4th-and-1 runs on the ground to keep the drive alive. Thomas would later weave his way to the endzone on a sweep to the left to put the Crusaders in front 6-0 with 3:37 remaining in the first quarter.
Thomas would account for 135 yards of total offense for Central Catholic. He carried the ball 13 times for 78 yards on the ground and was also the game’s leading receiver with 6 catches for 57 yards.
Rice Proves Clutch All Night Long
On the ensuing extra point attempt, the hold was bobbled and a kick was not attempted. Cooper Rice was there for the Leopards to tackle the holder in the backfield to keep the score 6-0. This would prove to be the difference in the final score as Louisville would hold Central scoreless the rest of the way.
That wasn’t the only play Rice would make on special teams. In the fourth quarter, Rice charged in from the right side and leaped to block a 38 yard field goal attempt that would have put the Crusaders in front. The ball rolled dead at the 3 yard line giving the ball back to the Leopards with 9:55 remaining.
On defense, Rice recorded multiple tackles for losses and was also clutch in forcing a key turnover late in the fourth quarter.
Thomas caught a pass from Central quarterback Louis DiRuzza to put the Crusaders in Leopard territory at the 46 yard line. Owen Wilson laid out Thomas on the play, which led to an extended timeout for an injury. Thomas came off the field and Central went back to their running attack with 1:58 remaining.
On that next play, runningback Luke Spittler ran to this right but was held up by Jacob Galbraith and Gabe Stoffer. Rice came charging in, knocked the ball free, and Stoffer recovered it for Louisville at the Crusader 48 with 1:44 left in the game.
Blocked Punt Keeps Crusaders Alive
Central Catholic retained all of its timeouts, which they used after the next three Leopards runs. On 4th-and-4, Aljancic appeared to have drawn a Crusader offsides. The Central player jumped the line and jarred the ball free from the center. However, the ruling on the field was a snap infraction forcing Louisville to punt.
The Leopards punted out of a normal shotgun set and the boot was blocked by Crusader defensive lineman Issac Ray. Louisville’s Ashton Marshall alertly fell on the ball to prevent a runback. Central Catholic took over on the Louisville 48 yard line with 1:15 left.
Smith Slams the Door Shut
The Crusaders were backed up by a holding penalty on the first play of their final drive, but DiRuzza was able to find Thomas for a 17 yard gain on the next play. Two plays later, DiRuzza ran a keeper up the middle to move the sticks on 3rd-and-3.
DiRuzza spiked the ball on first down with 24 ticks left. His next pass fell incomplete and his 3rd-and-10 pass to Thomas netted just 4 yards. Thomas was tackled in bounds as the clock ticked under 13 seconds left in the game.
DiRuzza was able to get one final snap off just before time expired, but he would not get a pass attempt off. Right defensive end Wyatt Smith came flying around left side of the line and sacked DiRuzza to the turf to the end the game.
Smith was mobbed by his teammates as the Leopards celebrated in the middle of the field escaping with a 7-6 victory.
Both Teams Intercept Passes Near Goal Line
Both teams finished with two takeaways on defense. The first turnover of the game came in the second quarter when Central ran a halfback pass deep in Louisville territory. The ball floated through the air and was intercepted by Jacob Paumier at the two yard line.
Later in the fourth quarter, Thomas intercepted a pass over the middle of the field at the goal line to halt the Leopards most sustained drive of the night on its 14th play. Thomas returned the pick 22 yards to set the Crusaders up at their own 23.
Defensive back Hunter Baus also forced a fumble earlier in the third quarter that was recovered by linebacker Noah Berbari for Central’s only other takeaway on defense.
Crusaders Out-Gain Leopards 251-234
The Crusaders out-gained the Leopards 251-234 in total offense and out-rushed Louisville 202-112. Runningback Luke Spitler led Central’s ground attack with 18 carries for 93 yards.
The Leopards ran 16 less plays overall averaging 5.3 yards per play compared to the Crusaders 4.2 average per snap. Louisville also held a 122-49 advantage through the air.
Aljancic finished 9 of 16 passing for 122 yards. His most frequent target was Quin Burick who made 3 catches for 25 yards. Kolton Loy also broke free for a 43 yard reception down the right sideline, Marshall and Austin Wade made a pair of catches each, and Stoffer also had a grab.
Leopards 1st Home Win Vs. Central Since 1984
The Leopards have now beaten the Crusaders in back-to-back meetings and have take 4 of their last 5 meetings overall. The victory is Louisville’s first at home against Canton Central Catholic since a 21-19 win at Louisville Stadium on September 21, 1984.
The Leopards lead the all-time series 14-2-1 overall, which includes an 8-1 mark when playing at home in the series.
<<< Previous 2020 | Central Catholic All-Time Series
UP NEXT: The Leopards will next travel to take on the Canfield Cardinals on Friday, October 4. Game time is set for 7:00 PM from Bob Dove Field at Cardinal Stadium.
Upcoming Leopard Football Schedule
September 28 – Louisville JV At Canton Central Catholic, 10:00 – Lowell Klinefelter Field/Central Catholic Stadium
October 1 – Louisville 8th Grade Vs. Western Stark Catholic, 6:15 – Louisville Leopards Stadium
October 3 – Louisville Freshman Vs. Canfield, 5:00 – Louisville Leopards Stadium
October 4 – Louisville Varsity At Canfield, 7:00 – Bob Dove Field/Cardinal Stadium
October 5 – Louisville JV Vs. Canfield, 10:00 – Louisville Leopards Stadium
Social Media Cover Photo By Rick Everhart Photography
Louisville Opponents Week 6 Schedule
Friday, September 27
New Philadelphia 59, at Linsly (WV) 28
Alliance 20, at Salem 16
Northwest 46, at Tuslaw 7
Carrollton 24, at Marlington 17
at North Canton Hoover 21, GlenOak 7
at Dover 31, Canfield 14
Canton McKinley 26, at Green 17
at South Range 38, Poland Seminary 30
West Holmes 34, at Wooster 6
7-6 Scorigami or Magic?
No Scorigami, the score 7-6 has occurred 15 times previously in Louisville Football history. Amazingly, Louisville is now 16-0 all-time when the final score of a football game ends 7-6. They won 10 times by this score as the Blue Raiders before 1948 and are now 6-0 as the Leopards with this score. Louisville also defeated Central 7-6 on September 19, 1942 when the Crusaders were then known as Canton St. John’s.
This is the first time a Leopard game has ended in a 7-6 result since Louisville won at West Branch 7-6 on September 28, 2001. It is also the first time this result has occurred at home since the Leopards defeated Jackson 7-6 on September 12, 1980 at Louisville Stadium.
- 11/7/1924 – Louisville 7, McKinley Reserves 6
- 11/6/1925 – Louisville 7, Salineville 6
- 10/5/1935 – Louisville 7, at Lisbon 6
- 10/11/1941 – Louisville 7, North Canton Hoover 6
- 11/11/1941 – Louisville 7, Minerva 6
- 9/19/1942 – Louisville 7, Canton St. John’s 6
- 10/3/1942 – Louisville 7, Sebring 6
- 10/10/1942 – Louisville 7, at North Canton Hoover 6
- 10/29/1942 – Louisville 7, Sebring 6
- 10/6/1945 – Louisville 7, North Canton Hoover 6
- 10/21/1949 – Louisville 7, at Lisbon 6
- 9/18/1953 – Louisville 7, Orrville 6
- 9/12/1980 – Louisville 7, Jackson 6
- 10/10/1986 – Louisville 7, at Marlington 6
- 9/28/2001 – Louisville 7, at West Branch 6
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Central Catholic at Louisville Football Game Statistics
Scoring Summary
LEOPARDS 7, CRUSADERS 6
Team 1-2-3-4–TOTAL
Central Catholic 6-0-0-0–06
Louisville 7-0-0-0–07
1st Quarter
CENTRAL CATHOLIC – Conner Thomas 7 Yard Run (Run Failed) | LHS 0, CCHS 6, 3:37
12 Plays, 46 Yards, 6:35
LOUISVILLE – Owen DiMarzio 52 Yard Run (Tate Aljancic Kick) | LHS 7, CCHS 6, 0:53
6 Plays, 80 Yards, 2:44
2nd Quarter
NO SCORING
3rd Quarter
NO SCORING
4th Quarter
NO SCORING
Records: Louisville 3-3, Central Catholic 2-4
Team Stats
First Downs
Louisville: 12 (5 Rushing, 7 Passing)
Central Catholic: 16 (14 Rushing, 2 Passing)
Total Offense
Louisville: 44 Plays, 234 Yards, Touchdown (5.3 Average)
Central Catholic: 60 Plays, 251 Yards, Touchdown (4.2 Average)
Rushing
Louisville: 28 Carries, 112 Yards, Touchdown (4.0 Average)
Central Catholic: 43 Carries, 202 Yards, Touchdown (4.7 Average)
Passing
Louisville: 9 of 16 for 122 Yards, 1 Interception
Central Catholic: 8 of 17 for 49 Yards, 1 Interception
Fumbles/Lost
Louisville: 3/1
Central Catholic: 2/1
Penalties/Yards
Louisville: 4 for 19 Yards
Central Catholic: 3 for 20 Yards
3rd Down Conversions
Louisville: 5 for 11 (45%)
Central Catholic: 3 for 13 (23%)
4th Down Conversions
Louisville: 1 for 1 (100%)
Central Catholic: 3 for 6 (50%)
Punt Yards
Louisville: 4 Punts, 115 Yards (28.8 Average)
Central Catholic: 3 Punts, 88 Yards (29.3 Average)
Kick Return Yards
Louisville: 1 Return, 5 Yards
Central Catholic: None
Punt Return Yards
Louisville: 1 Return, 2 Yards
Central Catholic: None
Field Goal Attempts
Louisville: None
Central Catholic: 0 for 1
Individual Stats
Rushing
Louisville
Owen DiMarzio 19 Carries, 104 Yards, Touchdown
Tate Aljancic 8 Carries, 9 Yards
Cam Dougherty 1 Carry, -1 Yards
Central Catholic
Luke Spitler 18 Carries, 93 Yards
Conner Thomas 13 Carries, 78 Yards, Touchdown
Louis DiRuzza 9 Carries, 23 Yards
Grady Noggle 3 Carries, 8 Yards
Passing
Louisville
Tate Aljancic 9 of 16 for 122 Yards, 1 Interception
Central Catholic
Louis DiRuzza 8 of 18 for 49 Yards
Conner Thomas 0 of 1, Interception
Receiving
Louisville
Kolton Loy 1 Catch, 43 Yards
Quin Burick 3 Catches, 25 Yards
Ashton Marshall 2 Catches, 22 Yards
Austin Wade 2 Catches, 19 Yards
Gabe Stoffer 1 Catch, 13 Yards
Central Catholic
Conner Thomas 6 Catches, 57 Yards
Grady Noggle 1 Catch, -2 Yards
Preston Scott 1 Catch, -6 Yards
Kick Returns
Louisville
Cooper Rice 1 Return, 5 Yards
Central Catholic
None
Punt Returns
Louisville
Gabe Stoffer 1 Return, 2 Yards
Central Catholic
None
Punts
Louisville
Gabe Stoffer 3 Punts, 119 Yards, 43 Long (39.7 Average)
Tate Aljancic 1 Punt, -4 Yards
Central Catholic
Louis DiRuzz 3 Punts, 88 Yards, 33 Long (29.3 Average)
