Last-Minute Touchdown Lifts Louisville JV Past Warren G. Harding 19-14 – JV Football
Louisville 19, Warren G. Harding 14
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The Louisville Leopards JV Football Team remained unbeaten by fending off the Warren G. Harding Raiders 19-14 Saturday morning at Louisville Leopards Stadium. With the victory, Louisville improves to 3-0 on the season.
Wilson Interception Sets Tone, Zahler Scores First TD
The Leopards’ opening drive stalled just across midfield, but they got the ball right back when Drake Wilson picked off a pass at the Louisville 34 on the Raiders’ first offensive snap.
Quarterback Cody Zahler hit Hayden Reynolds and Wilson for first down strikes down to the Warren 35 and a penalty on the Raiders, two plays later put Louisville inside the red zone. Zahler capped the drive by plunging in from 1 yard out on 4th-and-goal to put Louisville on the board first. Ryker Youngen split the uprights on the extra point to put the Leopards ahead 7-0 with 2:17 remaining in the opening quarter.
Louisville Weathers Storm Before Rush 54-Yard TD Catch
Harding answered in the second quarter when Amiere Cobb ran right inside the pylon from five yards out to cut the deficit to 7-6 after the two-point conversion run failed.
The Raiders then blocked a Louisville punt and took over deep in Leopard territory, but the Louisville defense stiffened, forcing a four-and-out. Logan Galbraith broke up a pass on 3rd-and-7 and Cobb overthrew a wide-open receiver inside the 5-yard line to turn the ball over on downs.
Two plays later, Zahler connected with Ryan Rush downfield, near the right sideline for a 54-yard touchdown reception to stretch the margin to 13-6.
Fetrow Interception Preserves Leopard Lead Before Half
Harding threatened again before halftime, but Hunter Fetrow came up with an interception off a Wilson deflection at the Louisville 45 to preserve the lead at the break.
Earlier in the drive, Chaun Cline and Hayden Driver stormed into the backfield for a sack to push the Raiders into a 2nd-and-28. Warren Harding nearly converted a 3rd-and-26 when Wilson deflected a sideline pass and Julius Ferrell made a diving reception for a 23-yard gain. The ensuing 4th-and-3 was deflected again by Wilson, but this time into the friendly arms of Fetrow.
Cobb Puts Warren Harding in Front 14-13
Defense dominated the third quarter on both sides. Penalties killed a threatening Raider drive, but a diving interception by Kai Blutcher gave the ball back to Warren G. Harding in Leopard territory.
The third quarter ended without a score, but that changed on the first play of the fourth quarter. Cobb took a direct snap and ran right, diving into the end zone from 4 yards away to get the Raiders to within 13-12. Warren ran the same play on the conversion attempt and was met with resistance by the Louisville defense, but Cobb still managed to extend the ball over the goal line to put Harding in front 14-13 with 9:54 remaining in the contest.
Zahler Hits Wilson for Last Minute Touchdown
The Leopards were forced to punt on their next possession and the Raiders took over in Louisville territory. Then a sack in the backfield by Lucas Neff and a combined sack via Fetrow and Rush, dropped Warren G. Harding into a 3rd-and-26 leading to a punt.
The Leopards took over on their own 20 after the touchback and unloaded on the first play. Zahler found Wilson for a 69-yard reception down to the Harding 11. However, a flag brought it all the way back to the Louisville 10.
Neff powered up the middle to convert a 3rd-and-2 and the Zahler found Wilson for a 22-yard first down reception to the Raider 45. Zahler then hooked up with Caison Grimm three times in five plays, moving the sticks twice, and converting a 3rd-and-9 to the Raider 19.
Two plays later, Zahler lofted a perfect 12-yard strike to Wilson in the back-left corner of the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown to give the Leopards the lead with 47 seconds left in the contest. The conversion pass sailed out of the back of the end zone leaving the score at 19-14.
Wilson Jarring Pass Break-Up Seals Louisville Victory
The Raiders’ final drive journeyed to the Louisville 28-yard line with two seconds remaining. On the game’s final play, Wilson delivered a perfectly timed hit, jarring the ball loose from the receiver’s hands as it arrived. The scoreboard read triple zeros and the pass break-up secured a third straight victory for the Leopards’ JV squad.
UP NEXT: The JV Leopards will next host the Canton Central Catholic Crusaders on Saturday, September 27. Game time is set for 10:00 AM from Louisville Leopards Stadium.
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Louisville JV Football Scoring Summary
LEOPARDS 19, RAIDERS 14
Team 1-2-3-4–TOTAL
Warren G. Harding 0-6-0-8–14
Louisville 7-6-0-6–19
1st Quarter
LOUISVILLE – Cody Zahler 1-Yard Run (Ryker Youngen Kick) | LHS 7, WGHHS 0, 2:17
2nd Quarter
WARREN G. HARDING – Amiere Cobb 5-Yard Run (Run Failed) | LHS 7, WGHHS 6, 9:02
LOUISVILLE – Ryan Rush 54-Yard Pass from Cody Zahler (Pass Failed) | LHS 13, WGHHS 6, 4:42
3rd Quarter
NO SCORING
4th Quarter
WARREN G. HARDING – Amiere Cobb 5-Yard Run (Run Failed) | LHS 13, WGHHS 14, 9:02
LOUISVILLE – Drake Wilson 12-Yard Pass from Cody Zahler (Pass Failed) | LHS 19, WGHHS 14, 0:47
Records: Louisville 3-0
