LOUISVILLE — The Louisville High School football team opens the season for the second straight year against New Philadelphia, this time at home. The Leopards look to rebound in 2023 after a rebuilding season while the Quakers reached the OHSAA playoffs.
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New Philadelphia holds on to the win
Neither team was able to score in the fourth quarter, but that was no problem for New Philadelphia. It was enough to give the Quakers a 12-7 victory over Louisville in their season opener. New Philadelphia’s defense was exceptional all night, limiting Louisville to three first downs, including just one in the second half. Louisville recovered a New Philadelphia fumble at the Quaker 45-yard line with five minutes left, but the Quakers forced a punt after a three-and-out to end the Leopards’ threat. New Philadelphia was able to run down the clock after regaining possession with just over three minutes left.
New Philadelphia secures the lead towards the end of the third quarter
New Philadelphia quarterback Keaton Fausel fought his way to an 11-yard touchdown with 2:27 left in the third quarter to give the Quakers their first lead, 12-7. An attempt at a 2-point conversion run was thwarted by Louisville. The touchdown was set up by a 45-yard run by sophomore Kolston Fox on New Philadelphia’s previous play. The Quakers forced a three-and-out by Louisville on the ensuing drive. The Quakers ran out the clock on their next possession of the third quarter and will start the fourth quarter with a 12-7 lead on third-and-4 at their own 34-yard line.
Blocked extra point keeps Louisville ahead before halftime
New Philadelphia senior Keaton Fausel scored a late touchdown with 19 seconds left on the clock in the second quarter on an 8-yard run. Louisville blocked the extra point to preserve the lead. The Leopards took a knee after the ensuing kickoff to run down the clock in the first half. The Leopards lead 7-6 and will receive the ball at the start of the second half.
Louisville strikes first
Quarterback Tate Aljancic scores the first touchdown of the game for Louisville with a 3-yard keeper up the middle. The kick was good and gave the Leopards a 7-0 lead. The scoring play was set up by a fumble recovery and a 6-yard return to the Quaker 3-yard line by Louisville senior Jacob Paumier on a punt return. Aljancic scored a touchdown on the next play.
New Philadelphia and Louisville without points after a quarter
New Philadelphia and Louisville are tied 0-0 after the first quarter. So far, it has been a defensive battle. The Leopards have limited the Quakers to 24 yards on offense. Louisville has gained 36 yards on offense. New Philadelphia will have the ball at their own 38-yard line at the start of the second quarter.
Louisville player injured during opening kickoff
An unfortunate start to the high school football season. An unidentified leopard was injured during the opening kickoff and carried off the field on a stretcher. The injured Louisville player was able to give the crowd a thumbs up before leaving. The leopard was loaded into an ambulance and taken to a local hospital.
Watch Ohio high school football games live all season long on the NFHS Network
New high school prep course for Philadelphia vs. Louisville OHSAA
New Philadelphia (6-5) returns All-Ohio quarterback Keaton Fausel, who rushed and passed for over 1,000 yards last season. Fausel returns two top targets in All-OCC second-team wide receivers Pete DiDonato and Carson Long.
Chris Kappas begins his second season as head coach at Louisville (1-9), where quarterback Tate Aljancic will start. He led the Leopards JV team to a 7-3 record last year. WR Cooper Rice and TEs Kolton Loy and Austin Wade are again his top targets.
The result of the new Philadelphia football team against Louisville last year
New Philadelphia won the last meeting 42-21.
More: Louisville Leopards 2024 High School Football Team Schedule and Preview
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