Leopards Dominate Dukes 38-13 – Varsity Football
Louisville 38, Marlington 13
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The Louisville Leopards Varsity Football Team dominated the visiting Marlington Dukes 38-13 Friday Night at Louisville Leopards Stadium. With the victory, Louisville evens its record at 2-2 on the season.
Game Stats | Scoring Summary | Team Stats | Individual Stats
DiMarzio Breaks Century Mark to Lead Leopards
Runningback Owen DiMarzio ran the ball 17 times for 102 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns to lead the Leopards. DiMarzio scored the first touchdown of the game on a 7 yard run with 2:43 remaining in the opening quarter. He would later spark Louisville again when he sped 33 yards to the endzone to give the Leopards a 21-13 advantage in capping off a 5 play, 55 yard drive with 55 seconds remaining before halftime. This would be the first of 24 unanswered points by Louisville as they shut down Marlington the rest of the way.
The Leopards out-gained the Dukes 339-183 for the game, which included holding a 149-63 edge on the ground. Louisville also moved the chains 20 times, while allowing Marlington to only 13 first downs in comparison.
Louisville Defense Takes Stand Early
Early in the first quarter, the Leopards attempted a fake punt on 4th-and-4 that came up a yard short. This gave the Dukes excellent field position at the LHS 44 yard line. Marlington would drive to the 2 yard line before being faced with 4th-and-goal. On the ensuing play, Louisville defensive back Ty Paumier broke up a jump ball in the back left side of the endzone to keep the game scoreless.
The Leopards went three-and-out on their next possession. The Dukes took over at the Louisville 20 after Marlington pressure forced Leopard punter Gabe Stoffer to get off a 13 yard punt from his own endzone. Stoffer quickly made up for it three plays later with an interception at the goal line that he returned out to the LHS 25. Two redzone trips for the Dukes and no points.
Aided by two 15-yard facemask penalties, the Leopards marched 75 yards on 8 plays before DiMarzio ran left through a hole generated by offensive lineman Trevor Burick and tight end Austin Wade for an 8 yard touchdown.
On the second play of the next Marlington drive, quarterback Bryson McCord-Carr overshot his intended target and Paumier was johnny-on-the-spot in hauling in an interception for Louisville at the LHS 40 yard line.
Dougherty Puts Leopards Ahead 14-0
The Leopards capitalized on that takeaway with a 9 play, 65 yard drive in response to go up two touchdowns. An 18 yard completion from quarterback Tate Aljancic to DiMarzio moved Louisville across midfield. Aljancic would later find Stoffer wide open over the middle of the field for a 22 yard completion to move the chains on a 3rd-and-5 and set LHS up goal-to-go. Stoffer would finish as the Leopards leading receiver with 4 receptions for 69 yards. DiMarzio also made 3 grabs for 49 yards.
Runningback Cam Dougherty carried the ball on the next two plays and dove across the goal line for a 3 yard touchdown run on his second carry. Aljancic’s extra point was true putting the Leopards ahead 14-0 with 11:08 remaining in the second quarter.
Dougherty would later cap off a backbreaking 10 play, 72 yard fourth quarter drive with a second touchdown carry from 8 yards out. He would finish with 7 rushing attempts for 30 yards.
Dukes Rally to Within 14-13
Trailing by two touchdowns, Marlington responded with a 10 play, 65 yard scoring drive. The Dukes handed the ball off to runningback Cavill Nicholson for the first five plays of the drive which included converting a 4th-and-1 from their own 44.
Nicholson would finish with 7 carries for 23 yards only eclipsed by Marlington’s leading rusher Luke Stanley who ran the ball 10 times for 45 yards.
Later in the drive, McCord-Carr hit wide receiver Bryce Jones ones for a 16 yard completion to move the sticks on a 3rd-and-10. Three plays later, McCord-Carr found wide receiver Cam Evanich near the left sideline. Evanich slipped past two Louisville tacklers down the sideline and reached the endzone from 17 yards out. Kicker Jayce Zagray converted the extra point to chop the Leopard lead in half at 14-7.
Pressure from Marlington on Louisville’s next play from scrimmage caused the ball to slip out from Aljancic’s hands. Nicholson pounced on it for the Dukes at the Leopard 23 yard line setting them up once again with prime field position.
Four plays later, Evanich won a jump ball on the far left side of the endzone for an 11 yard touchdown reception. Zagray’s extra point sailed wide right leaving the score 14-13 with 2:59 to go before halftime.
McCord-Carr would finish 11 of 23 passing for 120 yards through the air. Evanich would be his top target with 4 catches for 32 yards. Wide receiver Brady Keller also had 3 catches for 37 yards.
Louisville Takes Touchdown Lead into Break
Louisville wasted no time in matching that touchdown before halftime. Stoffer returned the ensuing kickoff 30 yards to set the next Leopard drive up at their own 45. Three plays later, Aljancic found Stoffer for an 18 yard completion on a 3rd-and-7 as the clock ticked under two minutes.
Two plays DiMarzio was sprung by a big block from pulling left guard Josh Nicholson for a 33 yard touchdown that put the Leopards ahead 21-13 with 55 ticks left before the break.
Leopards Settle for Field Goal
Louisville marched 65 yards to the Marlington 1 yard line on their opening second half drive. However, a high snap on 3rd-and-goal netted a 16 yard loss forcing the Leopards to kick it on 4th-and-goal from the 17.
Aljancic hammered the 34 yard field goal through the uprights to put Louisville back in front by double digits at 24-13 with 7:03 left in the third. Aljancic would also finish a perfect 5 for 5 on PAT kicks to end his night with 8 points for the Leopards.
Louisville Defense Slams the Door on Dukes
Keller returned the ensuing kickoff 37 yards to midfield setting the Dukes up once again with favorable field position. However, a holding call on the next play backed them up 10 yards. Then Louisville defensive back Luke Seaman blew up a pass in the right flat for a 2 yard loss. Nicholson then dropped McCord-Carr for a sack and 10 yard loss forcing Marlington punt on 4th-and-30.
The other Nicholson, Cavill Nicholson, then made his presence known for the Dukes again with a 19 yard interception return to the LHS 42 yard line granting Marlington another short field.
The Leopard defense slammed the door shut again. A sweep to the right was blown up in the backfield by defensive end Wyatt Smith who forced the ball carrier into Burick who made the tackle for a 9 yard loss. On 3rd-and-19, McCord-Carr was sacked by a pair of Dougherty linebackers, Cam and Colton, for another 4 yard loss forcing the Dukes to punt the ball away on 4th-and-23.
Louisville turned that takeway into points when Cam Dougherty scored from 8 yards out. Then the Leopards defense forced another turnover on the next play from scrimmage. Kolton Loy swiped the ball from behind McCord-Carr and linebacker Jacob Galbraith fell on it for Louisville at the Marlington 29.
Freshman Wilson Finds Endzone Again
Aljancic hit Stoffer for a 26 yard completion between two Duke defenders on the next play to set the Leopards up 1st-and-goal at the 3 yard line. This would be Aljancic’s final pass of the night as he finished completing 15 of 24 passes for 190 yards through the air.
Louisville elected to hand the ball off to runningback Owen Wilson on the next play and the freshman refused to be denied. He broke through a pair of tackles, maintained his balanced, and dove backward into the endzone for a 3 yard touchdown to put the Leopards up 38-13 with 5:52 remaining.
Two weeks earlier, Wilson returned his own blocked punt for a touchdown becoming the first known Louisville freshman to find the endzone in a varsity game. Now he is the first known Leopard freshman to score a touchdown from scrimmage.
Leopards 17-Game Home Win Streak Vs. Dukes
Louisville has now defeated Marlington in 17 consecutive games at home dating back to 1989. The Leopards are 26-1 against the Dukes when playing at home all-time. Marlington’s only victory at Louisville Stadium was a 16-6 win in 1987.
The Leopards have now taken 5 of the last 6 matchups with the Dukes dating back to 2013. Louisville has dominated the all-time series now leading it 45-6.
<<< Previous 2017 | Marlington All-Time Series
1st Home Winning Streak for Louisville Since 2018
This is the Leopards first home winning streak since 2018 when they defeated Youngstown Ursuline, Cardinal Mooney, and South Range in three consecutive weeks. Louisville was just 4-23 in home games in-between these two home winning streaks across part or all of the past 7 seasons.
The tide is turning and the feeling is sweet for Leopard fans!
UP NEXT: The Leopards will next travel to take on the North Canton Hoover Vikings on Friday, September 20. Game time is set for 7:00 PM from North Canton Memorial Stadium.
Facebook Cover Photo By Rick Everhart
Upcoming Leopard Football Schedule
September 14 – Louisville JV At Marlington, 10:00 – Marlington Stadium
September 18 – Louisville 8th Grade At Perry, 5:30 – Wakefield Stadium
September 19 – Louisville Freshman Vs. North Canton Hoover, 5:00 – Louisville Leopards Stadium
September 20 – Louisville Varsity at North Canton Hoover, 7:00 – North Canton Memorial Stadium
September 21 – Louisville JV Vs. North Canton Hoover, 10:00 – Louisville Leopards Stadium
Louisville Opponents Week 4 Scores
Friday, September 13
at Ashland 17, New Philadelphia 14
at Alliance 46, Akron Ellet 24
Manchester 29, at Northwest 22, OT
Green 21, at North Canton Hoover 19
Canton Central Catholic 24, at Salem 21, 2 OT
at Canfield 17, Poland Seminary 10
at South Range 38, Lakeview 7
at Mansfield Madison Comprehensive 35, Wooster 24
38-13 Scorigami?
This is the first time a Louisville football game has ever ended in a 38-13 score. We have Scorigami!
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Marlington at Louisville Football Game Statistics
Scoring Summary
LEOPARDS 38, DUKES 13
Team 1-2-3-4–TOTAL
Marlington 0-13-0-0–13
Louisville 7-14-3-14–38
1st Quarter
LOUISVILLE – Owen DiMarzio 7 Yard Run (Tate Aljancic Kick) | LHS 7, MHS 0, 2:43
8 Plays, 75 Yards
2nd Quarter
LOUISVILLE – Cam Dougherty 3 Yard Run (Tate Aljancic Kick) | LHS 14, MHS 0, 11:08
9 Plays, 65 Yards
MARLINGTON – Cam Evanich 17 Yard Pass from Bryson McCord-Carr (Jayce Zagray Kick) | LHS 14, MHS 7, 5:22
10 Plays, 65 Yards
MARLINGTON – Cam Evanich 11 Yard Pass from Bryson McCord-Carr (Kick Failed) | LHS 14, MHS 13, 2:59
4 Plays, 23 Yards
LOUISVILLE – Owen DiMarzio 33 Yard Run (Tate Aljancic Kick) | LHS 21, MHS 13, 0:55
5 Plays, 55 Yards
3rd Quarter
LOUISVILLE – Tate Aljancic 34 Yard Field Goal | LHS 24, MHS 13, 7:03
8 Plays, 34 Yards
4th Quarter
LOUISVILLE – Cam Dougherty 8 Yard Run (Tate Aljancic Kick) | LHS 31, MHS 13, 6:30
10 Plays, 72 Yards
LOUISVILLE – Owen Wilson 3 Yard Run (Tate Aljancic Kick) | LHS 38, MHS 13, 5:52
2 Plays, 29 Yards
Records: Louisville 2-2, Marlington 1-3
Team Stats
First Downs
Louisville: 20 (10 Passing, 8 Rushing, 2 Penalty)
Marlington: 13 (8 Passing, 5 Rushing)
Total Offense
Louisville: 62 Plays, 339 Yards (5.5 Average)
Marlington: 49 Plays, 183 Yards (3.7 Average)
Rushing
Louisville: 38 Carries, 149 Yards (3.9 Average)
Marlington: 22 Carries, 63 Yards (2.4 Average)
Passing
Louisville: 15 of 24 for 190 Yards, 1 Interception
Marlington: 11 of 23 for 120 Yards, 2 Interceptions
Fumbles/Lost
Louisville: 2/2
Marlington: 1/1
Penalties/Yards
Louisville: 3 for 20 Yards
Marlington: 3 for 35 Yards
Punt Yards
Louisville: 3 Punts, 55 Yards (18.3 Average)
Marlington: 4 Punts, 133 Yards (33.2 Average)
Kick Return Yards
Louisville: 3 Returns, 65 Yards (21.7 Average)
Marlington: 5 Returns, 86 Yards (17.2 Average)
Punt Return Yards
Louisville: 2 Returns, 19 Yards
Marlington: None
3rd Down Conversions
Louisville: 4 for 10 (40%)
Marlington: 1 for 8 (12.5%)
4th Down Conversions
Louisville: 1 for 2 (50%)
Marlington: 1 for 2 (50%)
Field Goals: Attempted/Made
Louisville: 1/1
Marlington: 0/0
Individual Stats
Rushing
Louisville
Owen DiMarzio 17 Carries, 102 Yards, 2 Touchdowns
Cam Dougherty 7 Carries, 30 Yards, 2 Touchdowns
Owen Wilson 5 Carries, 29 Yards
Gabe Stoffer 1 Carry, 3 Yards
Chase Wilson 1 Carry, 3 Yards
Brayden Elsass 1 Carry, 2 Yards
Tate Aljancic: 6 Carries, -20 Yards
Marlington
Luke Stanley 10 Carries, 45 Yards
Cavill Nicholson 7 Carries, 23 Yards
Bryce Jones 2 Carries, 13 Yards
Cam Evanich 1 Carry, -9 Yards
Bryson McCord-Carr 6 Carries, -9 Yards
Passing
Louisville
Tate Aljancic 15 of 24 for 190 Yards, 1 Interception
Marlington
Bryson McCord-Carr 11 of 23 for 120 Yards, 2 Interceptions, 2 Touchdowns
Receiving
Louisville
Gabe Stoffer 4 Catches, 69 Yards
Owen DiMarzio 3 Catches, 49 Yards
Quin Burick 3 Catches, 31 Yards
Kolton Loy 2 Catches, 22 Yards
Austin Wade 2 Catches, 15 Yards
Ashton Marshall 1 Catch, 4 Yards
Marlington
Brody Keller 3 Catches, 37 Yards
Cam Evanich 4 Catches, 32 Yards, 2 Touchdowns
Luke Stanley 1 Catch, 18 Yards
Brailon Dattilio 2 Catches, 17 Yards
Bryson Jones 1 Catch, 16 Yards
Kick Returns
Louisville
Gabe Stoffer 2 Returns, 46 Yards, 30 Long (23.0 Average)
Owen DiMarzio 1 Return, 10 Yards, 19 Long
Marlington
Brady Keller: 2 Returns, 45 Yards, 37 Long (5.6 Average)
Cam Evanich 2 Returns, 29 Yards, 17 Long (14.5 Average)
Brailon Dattilio 1 Return, 12 Yards
Punt Returns
Louisville
Gabe Stoffer 2 Returns, 19 Yards, 11 Long (9.5 Average)
Marlington
None
Punts
Louisville
Gabe Stoffer 3 Punts, 55 Yards, 40 Long, 1 Inside 20 (18.3 Average)
Marlington
Jayce Zagray: 4 Punts, 133 Yards, 44 Long (Average 33.3 Average)
