Louisville Wins Finale at Wooster 20-17, but Misses Playoff Cut – Football
Louisville 20, Wooster 17
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The Louisville Leopards Varsity Football Team rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat the host Wooster Generals 20-17 in their regular season finale Friday Night at Follis Field. With the victory, Louisville finishes the season with a record of 4-6.
Game Stats | Scoring Summary | Team Stats | Individual Stats
Live Stream Courtesy of YSN Live
Louisville Unofficially Eliminated from Posteason
Unofficially the Leopards have been eliminated from postseason contention according to the Harbin point calculations on joeeitel.com. The Leopards finish the season with a 8.6652 average and currently sit in 16th place in Division II, Region 5 narrowly ahead of Akron Firestone who has a current average of 8.6500. However, its the Akron Garfield at Akron East game that eliminates Louisville regardless.
Akron Garfield (4-5) controls its own destiny when it plays at Akron East (5-4) on Saturday. If the Golden Rams win then they take the 15th spot and Willoughby South (3-7) moves down to the 16h spot still ahead of Louisville with a 9.7798 average.
If Akron East wins, then Akron Firestone receives enough second level points to surpass Louisville even if the Falcons (4-5) fall at Akron Ellet (1-8) tomorrow. This is because Firestone won at East 13-12 in Week 8. Akron Firestone would have a 9.0000 average in this scenario and the only way they could remain below the Leopards is if Akron Garfield wins. And if the Rams win they are in and Louisville is out as we stated previously. So there is no win-loss scenario that puts the Leopards in the postseason.
Akron Firestone can also pass Louisville by simply winning at 1-8 Akron Ellet on Saturday. If Shaker Heights (3-6) would pull the upset at Cleveland Heights (5-4) on Saturday, the Red Raiders would also leap frog the Leopards.
Aljancic & Marshall Hook Up for 2 Touchdowns
Louisville senior quarterback Tate Aljancic finished 9 of 14 for 90 yards and threw a pair of touchdown passes to senior wide receiver Ashton Marshall in their final game on the gridiron. Marshall would finish as the Leopards’ leading receiver with 5 catches for 68 yards.
The pair hooked up for a 35 yard touchdown reception to cap off Louisville’s opening 5 play, 67 yards drive. Runningback Owen DiMarzio broke a tackle and sprinted for a 28 yard carry down the right sideline across midfield. The run made up for a Leopard holding penalty on the first snap of the drive. Fellow runningback Cam Dougherty also ran right for a gain of 5 to convert a 3rd-and-1 setting up Marshall’s touchdown catch on the next play.
The two teams would punt on 4 of their next 5 possessions. The lone exception came when Ty Paumier made a leaping interception at the LHS 40. The Leopards did not turn the ensuing possession into points, but the takeway allowed them to win the first half field position battle. Louisville would take the ball at the 50 after the next Wooster punt setting up their next scoring drive.
The Leopards ran the ball 6 straight times to start the drive putting them in goal to go. DiMarzio, who finished the first half with 10 carries for 58 yards, ran the ball on the first two plays for 14 yards to move the sticks. Gabe Stoffer ran for back-to-back first downs on the next two snaps netting runs of 12 and 19 yards to setup 1st-and-goal.
On third-and-goal from the 2, Aljancic looked to find Austin Wade on a fade in the left side of the endzone but the pass fell incomplete bringing up fourth down. Aljancic went to that same well again and Marshall hauled in the fade in the left corner of the endzone this time for a 2 yard touchdown strike. Aljancic booted home his second extra point and the Leopards were rolling 14-0 with 6:58 left in the first half.
Wooster Rallies Back to Take 17-14 Lead
The Generals wasted no time in responding to the 14-0 hole they were in. Hayden Meese returned the ensuing kickoff down the left sideline 79 yards to put Wooster in the redzone at the LHS 17.
However, the Louisville defense stiffened forcing a the Generals into a field goal attempt. Wooster kicker Jake Rickett got just enough to convert the 30 yard field goal attempt putting the Generals on the board trailing 14-3.
The Leopards looked to add to their lead on the opening drive of the second half. However, a combined sack by Wooster linebacker Charlie Williams and defensive lineman Klemz Konrad on 3rd-and-3 put Louisville behind the sticks facing a 4th-and-9. A deep pass over the middle fell incomplete and the Generals took over on their own 33.
Wooster runningback Julian Franklin powered up the gut for 12 yards to convert a 3rd-and-1 on the first series of the drive. On the next play, quarterback Calin Baxstrom went deep down the left side of the field finding Meese for a 46 yard touchdown pass. Rickett’s extra point was successful shrinking the Leopard lead to 14-10 7:34 to play in the third quarter.
Louisville went three-and-out and punted on their next possession. The Generals took over from their own 36 on a fair catch.
Wooster would march 64 yards on 10 plays to take their first lead of the game. On the first set of downs, Baxstrom found Meese again for a 19 yard reception to move the chains on 3rd-and-9 across midfield. The Generals faced another 3rd-and-long after that, but were bailed out by a 15 yard pass interference all against the Leopards moving the ball to the 26.
Franklin did the rest as he pounded the ball on the final 4 snaps of Wooster’s go-ahead scoring drive to put the Generals in front. Franklin fumbled on the first of those snaps, but lineman Hutson Copenhaven alertly pounced on it at the LHS 19. Franklin ran 5 yards to convert a 3rd-and-3, 10 yards on the following play, and blasted into the endzone from 4 yards out on the next snap. Rickett made the extra point to give Wooster a 17-14 advantage with 100 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Both Teams Fumble Away Possessions
Things looked bleak for Louisville when they fumbled on the first play of their next possession. The turnover also gave the Generals prime field position as Meese jarred the ball free on big hit and Simon Yount pounced on it for Wooster at the LHS 40.
The Leopard defense stiffened again not allowing the Generals to gain a first down. On 4th-and-6, a failed exchange on a jet sweep put the ball on the turf and Dougherty fell on it for Louisville at the LHS 46.
Dougherty Scores Go-Ahead Touchdown
The Leopards would move the chains on two key conversions on their way to taking the lead back. On the first series of play, Louisville drew the Wooster offsides for a 5 yard encroachment penalty on 4th-and-1. An 11 yard pass from Aljancic to Marshall moved the sticks again after that. Then on 3rd-and-4, Aljancic took it himself for a 7 yard gain through the middle to move the ball into the redzone.
An illegal participation penalty moved the Leopards back to the 24. On the next, Dougherty took a handoff to the left and broke a tackle in the backfield. He patiently waited for blocks by Marshall and lineman Trevor Burick to develop before he hit the hole for a 24 yard go-ahead touchdown run. The extra point was no good, but Louisville was on top again at 20-17 with 6:50 remaining.
Fourth Quarter: Louisville’s Final Drive and Defensive Stand
Wooster, refusing to go quietly, mounted one final attempt to reclaim the lead. Franklin gained 18 yards to bring the Generals into Louisville territory, and with three minutes left, the Generals were within striking distance, needing just inches on 4th-and-short. However, Louisville’s defense held firm, with Loy and Smith stonewalling Franklin to deny the Generals the critical first down.
Louisville then took over with 2:34 on the clock and aimed to run out the game. Dougherty’s 24-yard run moved the Leopards into Wooster territory, and with the clock winding down, Stoffer delivered the game-sealing play, breaking loose for a 23-yard run to the Wooster 2-yard line. Selflessly, Stoffer went down inbounds, allowing the Leopards to kneel out the victory and secure a hard-fought 20-17 triumph.
Game Standouts and Stats
The Leopards tallied 317 yards of total offense, with 227 coming on the ground. Stoffer led all rushers with 82 yards, while DiMarzio and Dougherty contributed 77 and 66 yards, respectively. Aljancic completed 9 of 14 passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns, both of which were caught by Marshall, who finished with 68 receiving yards on five catches.
Wooster’s Franklin had 87 rushing yards and a touchdown on 23 carries, while Meese recorded 97 yards receiving, including a 46-yard touchdown catch. Baxstrom threw for 106 yards, completing 6 of 17 attempts with one touchdown and one interception.
Louisville’s defense showed its grit, forcing three turnovers and coming up with key stops, especially in the second half. Paumier’s interception and Dougherty’s fumble recovery underscored the Leopards’ defensive tenacity, while Loy, Smith, and Galbraith played crucial roles in holding Wooster to only 215 total yards.
Louisville Vs. Wooster All-Time Series
The victory marks the Leopards first over the Generals since 1988. Louisville won in that only other trip to Wooster 20-13 on September 23, 1988.
The Leopards are now 2-3 against the Generals all-time, with the road team winning in every game of the series.
<<< Previous 2021 | Wooster All-Time Series
Louisville Opponents Week 10 Schedule
Thursday, October 24
at Canton Central Catholic 54, St. Thomas Aquinas 7
Friday, October 25
at New Philadelphia 42, Dover 24
at Alliance 47, Marlington 10
Northwest 24, at Canton South 21
at Jackson 23, North Canton Hoover 20
Boardman 42, at Canfield 17
at Lake 49, Green 21
South Range 38, at Hubbard 0
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Louisville at Wooster Football Game Statistics
Scoring Summary
LEOPARDS 20, GENERALS 17
Team 1-2-3-4–TOTAL
Wooster 0-3-14-0—17
Louisville 7-7-0-6–20
1st Quarter
LOUISVILLE – Ashton Marshall 35 Yard Pass from Tate Aljancic (Tate Aljancic Kick) | LHS 7, WHS 0, 5:49
5 Plays, 67 Yards, 2;29
2nd Quarter
LOUISVILLE – Ashton Marshall 2 Yard Pass from Tate Aljancic (Tate Aljancic Kick) | LHS 14, WHS 0, 6:58
8 Plays, 50 Yards, 3:18
WOOSTER – Jake Rickett 30 Yard Field Goal | LHS 14, WHS 3, 5:22
4 Plays, 4 Yards, 1:23
3rd Quarter
WOOSTER – Hayden Meese 46 Yard Pass from Calin Baxstrom (Jake Rickett Kick) | LHS 14, WHS 10, 7:34
4 Plays, 67 Yards, 1:20
WOOSTER – Julian Franklin 4 Yard Run (Jake Rickett Kick) | LHS 14, WHS 17, 1:40
10 Plays, 64 Yards, 4:23
4th Quarter
LOUISVILLE – Cam Dougherty 24 Yard Run (Kick Failed) | LHS 20, WHS 17
9 Plays, 62 Yards, 5:03
Records: Louisville 4-6, Wooster 2-8
Team Stats
First Downs
Louisville: 19 (10 Rushing, 7 Passing, 2 Penalty)
Wooster: 11 (6 Rushin, 4 Passing, 1 Penalty)
Total Offense
Louisville: 58 Plays, 317 Yards, 3 Touchdowns (5.5 Average)
Wooster: 49 Plays, 215 Yards, 2 Touchdowns (4.4 Average)
Rushing
Louisville: 44 Carries 227 Yards, Touchdown (5.2 Average)
Wooster: 32 Carries, 109 Yards, Touchdown (3.4 Average)
Passing
Louisville: 9 of 14 for 90 Yards, 2 Touchdowns
Wooster: 6 of 17 for 106 Yards, Touchdown
Fumbles/Lost
Louisville: 1/1
Wooster: 3/0
Penalties/Yards
Louisville: 6 for 55 Yards
Wooster: 4 for 35 Yards
3rd Down Conversions
Louisville: 4 for 10 (40%)
Wooster: 6 for 13
4th Down Conversions
Louisville: 1 for 1 (100%)
Wooster: 0 for 2 (0%)
Punt Yards
Louisville: 3 Punts, 112 Yards (37.3 Average)
Wooster: 3 Punts, 96 Yards (32.0 Average)
Kick Return Yards
Louisville: 4 Returns, 70 Yards
Wooster: 4 Returns, 94 Yards
Punt Return Yards
Louisville: 1 Return, 18 Yards
Wooster: None
Field Goal Attempts
Louisville: 0/1
Wooster: 1/1, 30 Yards
Individual Stats
Rushing
Louisville
Gabe Stoffer 11 Carries, 82 Yards
Owen DiMarzio 16 Carries, 77 Yards
Cam Dougherty 8 Carries, 66 Yards, Touchdown
Tate Aljancic 9 Carries, 2 Yards
Wooster
Julian Franklin 23 Carries, 87 Yards, Touchdown
Hayden Meese 2 Carries, 13 Yards
Calin Baxstrom 6 Carries, 9 Yards
Mon’Tierre Coleman 1 Carry, 0 Yards
Passing
Louisville
Tate Aljancic 9 of 14 for 90 Yards, 2 Touchdowns
Wooster
Calin Baxstrom 6 of 17 for 106 Yards, Touchdown, Interception
Receiving
Louisville
Ashton Marshall 5 Catches, 68 Yards, 2 Touchdowns
Owen DiMarzio 2 Catches, 22 Yards
Quin Burick 1 Catch, 6 Yards
Gabe Stoffer 1 Catch, -6 Yards
Wooster
Hayden Meese 4 Catches, 97 Yards, Touchdown
Michael Wright 2 Catches, 9 Yards
Kick Returns
Louisville
Owen Wilson 3 Returns, 63 Yards, 35 Long (21.0 Average)
Ty Paumier 1 Return, 7 Yards
Wooster
Hayden Meese 1 Return, 79 Yards
Tristin Walker 2 Returns, 15 Yards, 9 Long (7.5 Average)
Micah Martinez 1 Return, 0 Yards
Punt Returns
Louisville
Gabe Stoffer 1 Return, 18 Yards
Wooster
COMING SOON
Punts
Louisville
3 Punts, 112 Yards, 46 Long (37.3 Average)
Wooster
Jack Dossi 3 Punts, 96 Yards, 34 Long (32.0 Average)
Field Goals
Louisville
Tate Aljancic 0 for 1, Missed 53
Wooster
Jake Rickett 1 for 1, Made 30
