Leopards Come Up a Yard Short at Poland 21-13 – Varsity Football

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Poland 21, Louisville 13

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The Louisville Leopards Varsity Football Team fell to the host Poland Seminary Bulldogs 21-13 Friday Night at Dave Pavlansky Field. With the loss, Louisville drops to 0-2 on the young season.


Jobes Rushes for 128 Yards and Touchdown

Lingenhoel Group - Arden and Lisa Lingenhoel - Cutler Real Estate AdSenior runningback Riston Jobes ran for 128 yards on 29 carries to lead the Leopards offense. His touchdown from a yard out put Louisville on the board and chopped the Poland lead in half with 5:16 to go in the second quarter.

The Louisville rushing attack accounted for 53 of the 65 yards on that 9-play scoring drive. Jobes ran right through a hole paved by junior lineman Jacob Shammo and Nate Curry for a 13 yard gain on the second play of the drive to push the ball to midfield. Senior runningback Connor Adelman then found an opening to the left behind a wall of blockers in junior lineman Trevor Eshler & Cayden McKimmie, junior wide receiver Charlie Roberts, and senior wide receiver Zack Seaman. He was then further sprung by a downfield block by junior wide receiver Chase Mueller all the way to the Poland 16 yard line. The 34 yard run would go as the Leopards biggest play of the night and it put them in the red zone.

Samantha's Grill AdFour plays later, Jobes side stepped to his right and plowed through a gap created by Adelman, senior tight end AJ Lingenhoel, and Shammo for an 8 yard gain to convert a 4th-and-3. Jobes squeezed behind the blocking of Lingenhoel and Shammo again to reach paydirt two plays later. Senior placekicker Myles Lab added the extra point to cut the deficit to 14-7.


Turnover Exchange Before Half

Jenny Can Cleaning AdLouisville had a chance to tie the game just before halftime when Seaman laid into Poland senior quarterback Jack Fulton jarring the ball free. Seaman fell on it at the Bulldogs 8 yard line with 1:12 to go before halftime.

However, the Leopards put the ball on the turf three plays later and Poland senior defensive lineman Jeff Muslovski pounced on it on the PHS 9 yard line. The Bulldogs were able to run out the clock from there to take a 14-7 lead into the break. 


Fulton & Parker Lead Poland Rushing Attack

Re-Elect Corey Street Louisville City Council AdPoland wasted no time in extending their advantage in the third quarter. Sophomore Cole Fulton returned the opening second half kickoff 32 yards to the Bulldogs 47. Two plays later, Jack Fulton found a seam up the middle on a quarterback draw play. Breaking free into the secondary, he weaved right and then turned back left through space all the way to the endzone for a 50 yard touchdown scamper to put Poland in front 21-7.

Fulton would finish as the game’s leading rusher in taking the ball 16 times for 170 yards. He also scored on a 26 yard touchdown during the opening minute of the second quarter that gave the Bulldogs an earlier 14-0 advantage.

The 2-play scoring drive to open the half was Poland’s second of the game. After Louisville went three-and-out on their opening drive of the contest, senior runningback Dom Parker ran a sweep to the right and broke free down the right sideline. The run went for a 72 yard touchdown on the Bulldogs second play from scrimmage. Parker would finish 3 carries for 98 yards as Poland would rack up 309 rushing yards on 28 attempts.


Bulldogs Defense Records 3 Takeaways

My Fit Life Personal Trainer Side AdThe Bulldogs recorded their their third takeaway of the game on the next Leopards possessions when senior linebacker Michael Gordan tipped an LHS pass into the air and senior defensive back Michael Nittoli made a leaping interception at the Poland 48 yard line.

Gordan also recovered a fumble in the opening quarter after a vicious hit by senior defensive back Gavin Wess knocked the ball free. That fumble recovery setup Poland’s second scoring drive that gave them a commanding 14-0 lead.


Louisville Defense Holds in Second Half

Despite the early hiccup, the Leopards defense held firm in the second half for the second straight week. The Bulldogs drove to the LHS 25 yard line following a Michael Nittoli interception, but were turned away when Seaman used two hands to bat away a 4th-and-11 pass attempt to the endzone.

Sophomore runningback Daniel Nittoli ran left for a 24 yard gain on the first play of Poland’s next possession, but the Louisville defense held the Bulldogs to just 4 yards on the next 3 plays to force a punt.

Late in the game Poland milked the clock with three first down runs to their own 39 yard line. However, a stop in the backfield by junior linebacker Jacob Davide and a false start penalty led to the Bulldogs facing a 3rd-and-13. LHS had only one timeout remaining and Poland decided to go for broke with a pass down the right sideline. Sophomore defensive back Andrew Corona deflected the pass out of bounds allowing the Leopards offense one last opportunity.


Leopards Clutch Touchdown Closes the Gap

Earlier in the third quarter, Louisville strung together a 10 play, 75 yard scoring drive that featured a pair of fourth down conversions. Facing 4th-and-1 on their own 44, the Leopards lined up in punt formation but snapped the ball directly to Seaman who busted up the gut for an 8 yard gain for a first down across the midfield stripe. Jobes followed up the punt fake with runs of 6 and 17 yards to give Louisville another 1st-and-10 on the Bulldog 25 yard line. 

The Leopards netted only a single yard on the next three plays, which setup a 4th-and-9. Senior quarterback Caleb Miller stood firm in the pocket and fired a pass over the middle to Seaman on a crossing route. Seaman made the catch, broke a tackle to his left and then juked back right past another defender for his second receiving touchdown of the season. The 24 yard strike put Louisville within 21-13 with 4:38 left in the third quarter. The extra point would sail right of the upright after a high snap to keep the deficit at eight.

Seaman would finish with 8 catches for 75 yards to lead the LHS aerial attack.


Louisville Comeback Falls 1 Yard Short

The Leopards next drive started from their own 15 after a Poland punt took an LHS bounce. Louisville would use 14 plays to drive down to the one yard line moving the chains 5 times in the process.

Junior quarterback Daveion Cruse rolled to his left and completed a short pass to Adelman for a 15 yard gain to the LHS 40. On the next play, Jobes ran through the middle of the line for a 16 yard gain to the Bulldogs 44. After a penalty, Jobes was called upon again and ran to his left for a gain of 13 down to the PHS 36.

The Leopards didn’t face third down until the 11th play of the drive. On 3rd-and-7 from the Poland 19, Cruse faked a toss to his left and then threw right to Lingenhoel for an 11 yard first down reception. 1st-and-goal Louisville on the 8 yard line.

The next two runs netted negative yardage and the Leopards were faced with 3rd-and-goal from the 9. Cruse stepped back in the pocket and fired a quick pass to Seaman who was running a short curl route. Seaman made the catch at the 4, spun out of a sure tackle, and drove his body forward before he was finally gang tackled at the 1 yard line.

Louisville need a single yard to get within a conversion of tying the game up. The Leopards went with their most successful play throughout night on fourth down, but the Bulldogs were ready. Expecting the run, the Poland defensive line was able to get significant penetration on the right side of Louisville’s offensive line to stop Jobes’ forward progress at the 2 yard line. Senior defensive lineman Zach Christianson and senior linebacker Christian Colosimo led the Bulldogs stop for a 1 yard loss which gave them the ball back on downs with 6:49 left in the game.


Leopards Final Gasp

Poland managed three first downs on their next drive and didn’t surrender the ball back until 2:28 remained in the game. 

Louisville called two quick runs to pick up a quick first down as the clock ticked away. They faced 3rd-and-7 on the next series before Miller hit Seaman for 9 yard completion and a first down to the Bulldogs 40 with 1:13 remaining.

The next three plays, along with a false start penalty, netted LHS just 4 yards as nearly a minute ran off the clock. The Leopards called their final timeout with 14 ticks remaining hoping for a quick first down out of bounds or a heave to the endzone.

On the ensuing 4th-and-6 play, Miller was sacked in the backfield by Poland senior linebacker Dillon Smith to seal the game with 9 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs took a knee and ran out the clock after that.


Louisville Vs. Poland Football History

This is the first meeting between the Leopards and Bulldogs since Louisville defeated Poland 42-7 in the opening round of the 2015 playoffs held at Dave Pavlanksy Field. The Leopards had won the previous three regular season meetings over the Bulldogs from 2004-2006 prior to Friday’s contest. 

Poland’s last victory over Louisville was a 41-21 victory in the opening round of the 2014 playoffs held at Louisville Leopards Stadium. The Bulldogs last regular season over the Leopards in the regular season and at home came in the 2003 season opener. Poland won that game 13-12.

Since their first meeting in 1952, Louisville leads the all-time series 13-9 overall, but the series is now an even 6-6 when the two teams have played at Poland.

<<< Previous 2015 Playoff | Poland All-Time Series

UP NEXT: The Leopards will next host the Wooster Generals on Friday, September 3 at 7:00 PM.


Schedule Opponents Week 2 Finals

Stow-Munroe Falls 37, @Barberton 22
@Wadsworth 23, Wooster 17
@North Canton Hoover 49
, Columbus Beechcroft 14
Lake @Maple Heights, Cancelled
@Perry 21, Akron East 20, OT
Green 43, @North Olmsted 14
@Massillon 34, GlenOak 0
Niles McKinley 19, @Alliance 16
Linsly (WV) 27, @Martins Ferry 14


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Louisville at Poland Football Game Statistics

Scoring Summary

BULLDOGS 21, LEOPARDS 13

Team 1-2-3-4–TOTAL

Louisville 0-7-6-0–13

Poland 7-7-7-0–21

1st Quarter

POLAND – Dom Parker 72 Yard Run (Wyatt Bobbey Kick) | LHS 0, PHS 7, 9:09
2 Plays, 69 Yards

2nd Quarter

POLAND – Jack Fulton 26 Yard Run (Wyatt Bobbey Kick) | LHS 0, PHS 14, 11:01
5 Plays, 59 Yards

LOUISVILLE – Riston Jobes 2 Yard Run (Myles Lab Kick) | LHS 7, PHS 14, 5:16
9 Plays, 65 Yards

3rd Quarter

POLAND – Jack Fulton 50 Yard Run (Wyatt Bobbey Kick) | LHS 7, PHS 21, 10:59
2 Plays, 53 Yards

LOUISVILLE – Zack Seaman 24 Yard Pass from Caleb Miller (Kick Failed) | LHS 13, PHS 21
10 Plays, 75 Yards

4th Quarter

No Scoring

Records: Poland 1-1, Louisville 0-2


Team Stats

First Downs
Louisville: 17
Poland: 10

Rushing
Louisville: 44 Carries, 176 Yards, 1 TD, 2 Fumbles Lost
Poland: 28 Carries, 309 Yards, 3 TDs

Passing
Louisville: 14 of 24 for 117 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Poland: 4 of 11 for 9 Yards

Fumbles / Lost
Louisville: 2 / 2
Poland: 1 / 1

Penalties
Louisville; 3 for 15 Yards
Poland: 4 for 26 Yards

3rd Down Conversions
Louisville: 4 for 11
Poland: 1 for 7

4th Down Conversions
Louisville: 3 for 5
Poland: 0 for 1


Individual Stats

Rushing

Louisville:
Riston Jobes: 29 Carries, 128 Yards, TD
Connor Adelman: 2 Carries, 38 Yards
Zack Seaman: 1 Carry, 8 Yards
Daveion Cruse: 6 Carries, 6 Yards, 1 Fumble Lost
Caleb Miller: 6 Carries, -4 Yards, 1 Fumble Lost

Poland:
Jack Fulton: 16 of 170 Yards, 2 TDs
Dom Parker: 3 of 98 Yards, 1 TD

Receiving

Louisville:
Zack Seaman: 8 Catches, 75 Yards, TD 
Connor Adelman: 2 Catches, 20 Yards
AJ Lingenheol: 1 Catch, 11 Yards
Brandon Jackson: 1 Catch, 6 Yards
Riston Jobes: 1 Catch, 3 Yards
Charlie Roberts: 1 Catch, 2 Yards

Poland :
Ross Dedo: 1 Catch, 5 Yards

Passing

Louisville:
Caleb Miller: 8 of 18 for 67 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Daveion Cruse: 6 of 6 for 50 Yards

Poland:
Jack Fulton: 4 of 11 for 9 Yards

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