The Louisville Leopards Varsity Football Team came from behind to secure a 20-17 victory over the Wooster Generals in their regular season finale on Friday night at Follis Field. With this win, Louisville concludes the season with a 4-6 record.
Despite the triumph, the Leopards have been unofficially eliminated from postseason contention based on Harbin point calculations. Currently, Louisville stands in 16th place in Division II, Region 5, with an average of 8.6652 points, narrowly ahead of Akron Firestone, which has an average of 8.6500. However, the outcome of the Akron Garfield versus Akron East game will ultimately determine Louisville’s fate, as a win by Akron Garfield would push Louisville out of the playoff picture.
In an action-packed game, the Leopards showcased both a strong offensive strategy and a resilient defense.Standout performances included a game-winning touchdown from Cam Dougherty in the final quarter. Louisville’s offensive play began immediately, with quarterback Tate Aljancic connecting on a 35-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ashton Marshall on their opening drive. After establishing a quick 7-0 lead, the Leopards doubled their score with another touchdown pass from Aljancic to Marshall, ending the first half at 14-3.
Wooster retaliated in the third quarter, scoring 14 unanswered points to take a 17-14 lead. However, Louisville regained control in the fourth quarter with a decisive touchdown run by Dougherty. The Leopards’ defense then held strong against a late Wooster rally, clinching the win.
Louisville racked up 317 total yards, with 227 on the ground. Gabe Stoffer led the rushing efforts with 82 yards, supported by Owen DiMarzio and Cam Dougherty. Aljancic completed 9 of 14 passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns, both caught by Marshall.
On the Wooster side, Julian Franklin rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown, while Hayden Meese made a significant impact with 97 receiving yards, including a touchdown catch.
With this season-ending victory, Louisville displays resilience and determination, wrapping up their campaign with a notable win that showcases their potential looking ahead to the next season.