Louisville Leopards (2-1) at Marlington Dukes (3-0)

WHEN: Friday, September 14 at 7:00 PM

WHERE: Marlington Stadium

RADIO: None

TV: …

IN-GAME UPDATES: Follow Us On Twitter @LouisvilleLeps or Text “Follow LouisvilleLeps” to 40404

HIGHLIGHTS: Will be available following the game late Friday night or early Saturday morning right here on louisvilleleopards.org

SERIES

ALL-TIME SERIES: Louisville holds a 40-4 record over Marlington

LAST MEETING: The Leopards won in front of a Regional audience 35-28 on September 15, 2011

2011 Louisville Vs. Marlington Football Highlights

LAST DUKES WIN: Marlington defeated Louisville 21-7 on October 22, 2010 in a year that the Dukes went 13-1 overall.  It was Marlington’s first win over Louisville in 15 tries.

Chad Neff to Mitch Sluss Breaks Up the Shutout in 2010

PREVIEW

Ready or Not it’s Marlington week!  The two squads have produced some great football games over the past 3 years and this should be no different.  Can the undefeated Dukes defend homefield against the Leopards for their second victory over Louisville in three years, or will the Leopards make it 41 out of 45 for the overall series?  Friday night will answer our question and may ultimately decide who will win the NBC.

LEOPARDS

OFFENSE: The Leopards offense will play their first game on grass Friday after opening the season in three different turf-surfaced stadiums.  Louisville has practiced on the old practice field all week long though in preparation for this.  Joey Duckworth will command the offense at quarterback and has completed 60 of 108 passes for 704 yards and 6 touchdowns.  Duckworth has also scrambled for 129 yards on 34 attempts making him the lead Louisville rusher for the season.  His main target has been wide receiver Trent Ohman who leads the team in receptions (22), yards (255), and touchdowns (3).  When Ohman isn’t catching passes, Duckworth will look to a pair of receivers named Alex.  Alex Hollifield (10 receptions, 185 yards, 2 TDs) had a breakout game last week against Ravenna, while Alex Schooley (14 receptions, 123 yards, TD) will continue to bring the same toughness he has showed over the past two seasons.  Trey Hayford (17 carries, 59 yards, 3 TDs) will take the carries from the backfield when the Leopards are not in their default 5 wide formation.  Senior Lineman Aaron Carter (RT) and Nate Terry (RG) will anchor the right side of the line for the Leopards, while Jonah Dawson (LT), Malik Kling (LG), and Tanner Metz (C) will round out the rest of the starters up front.

DEFENSE: Linebacker Gary Anile picked off 2 Ravens passes last week to give him a total of 3 for the season.  Also a threat to take the ball away in the secondary is Garrett Yoder who had an interception and fumble recovery week one.  Defensive Back Kyle White also had an interception last week and deflected another pass to save a touchdown at Hoover.  Dylan Kline and Cory Neff will look to be busy in the Marlington backfield all night long as they anchor the defensive line.  Louisville’s defense has gotten to the opposing quarterback 5 times this season.  Nobody wants to see the hard-hitting linebacker Charles Beamer who has contributed to at least two sacks this season.  Like the game at Canfield, the Leopards defense did not allow a score until late in the fourth quarter.  That same shutdown attitude will be needed in order to defeat the Dukes Friday.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Special teams shined last week against Ravenna.  Trent Ohman (9 Returns, 24.7 average) had several monster kick returns in the game last week including a 68 yard run back deep into Raven territory.  Alex Schooley returned his first punt of the season back 24 yards against Ravenna as well.  If Marlington kicks to the Leopards playmakers get your popcorn ready.  Merrick Storlie also booted through 2 field goals last week including a 38 yard make.  The Leopards had previously not attempted a field goal since 2010, but there is now confidence in their kicking game.  Storlie has hit from 50+ yards out in practice and had no problem in distance on any kick last week.  Schooley (9 punts, 27.7 average), the punter for the Leopards, had a 46 yard punt this year to top his longest of the season.  Schooley also recovered a fumble on a muffed kickoff last week.

1985 Louisville Vs. Marlington Highlights

DUKES

OFFENSE: The Marlington offense is centered around Michigan-bound runningback Dymonte Thomas.  Thomas has tallied 339 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns through the first three games, but was held to just 17 carries for 31 yards against Poland.  Thomas can also be an explosive threat in the passing game as he caught 2 passes for 68 yards against Crestwood.  Under center for the Dukes will be Shawn Kirk who threw a game winning touchdown pass to Dan Krupko in the final seconds against Poland.  Against Crestwood, Kirk proved to be a multi-threat in completing 5 of 8 passes for 154 yards & 2 touchdowns through the air and also rushing for 99 yards and a touchdown.  Krupko (3 catches for 48 yards against Poland) and Jake Walker (80 yard Touchdown against Crestwood) have proven to be the main targets for Marlington at wide receiver.

DEFENSE: Thomas also leads the defensive attack at linebacker where he had 20.5 tackles and a fumble recovery during the first two games of the season.  4 out of the 5 turnovers the Dukes defense has forced this season came in their Week 1 victory over Poland.  Defensive lineman Austin Zufall and defensive back Jake Walker each had fumble recoveries against the Bulldogs and defensive back Austin Hoover also had an interception.  Hoover helps anchor a linebacking core that also features Anthony Wilks.  The pair combined for 16 tackles during week one.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Quarterback Shawn Kirk also doubles as the Dukes kicker and has made 2 field goals (25, 31) and 6 of 8 extra point kicks this season.

ALL-TIME SERIES:

Number of Shutouts: Louisville-16, Marlington-0

Leopards Highest Margin of Victory: 1997 they won 68-0

Marlington’s Highest Margin of Victory: 1988 they won 20-6, 2010 they won 21-7

Highest Combined Score: 84 Points – 1984 – Louisville 62, Marlington 22

Lowest Combined Score: 8 Points – 1974 – Louisville 8, Marlington 0 & 1979 – Louisville 8, Marlington 0

Longest Winning Streak: Louisville – 19 Games – 1968-1986

Longest Marlington Winning Streak: 2 Games -1987-1988

Total Points Scored: Louisville-1350 Marlington-423

Average Score: Louisville-31, Marlington-10