Louisville hosts Northwest in battle of NBC heavyweights
Thursday, October 6, 2005 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By JOE FROLLO JR.
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Repository Ray Stewart Louisville’s offensive line is a tough, physical group that has helped the Leopards amass more than 2,000 yards of offense already this year.
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LOUISVILLE
Paul Farrah never had seen anything like it in 20 years as a player and coach. Down 21-0 last week with six minutes to play, Farrah’s Louisville Leopards rallied to beat Canton South in overtime. The Louisville sideline erupted. The perfect season was intact.
“That’s one of the greatest comebacks in Louisville history,” Farrah said of the 27-21 victory. “Our kids never quit. Our coaching staff never quit. We’ll always be able to say we were a part of it.”
By the next morning, it was just a great memory. South was in the past. Friday night’s high school football showdown with Northwest only matters now.
Another 2,000 will fill Louisville Stadium as the Leopards (6-0, 3-0) and Northwest (5-1, 3-0) play for sole possession of the Northeastern Buckeye Conference lead. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.
Northwest head coach Vic Whiting and his team have watched the tape from the South game. He doesn’t have to explain the importance behind what is coming.
In 2001 and 2003, the Indians handed the Leopards their only conference losses. In 2002, Louisville returned the favor.
In each cases, the winner earned at least a share of the league title. This season is shaping up toward the same results.
“We recognize year in and year out, Louisville is the best team in our league,” Whiting said. “Their kids play hard and are dedicated. ... If you are going to be successful, you’ve got to beat Louisville.”
Northwest’s offense starts with senior tailback Scott Weber, a 6-foot-1, 225-pounder averaging 160 yards on 27 carries. He has scored 14 touchdowns.
“When you prepare for Northwest, you have to start with taking Weber away,” Farrah said. “But the problem is that for the last couple of weeks, Northwest has done a good job going away from him. C.J. Law is doing a good job throwing the ball and does a great job with ball fakes.”
Law threw for 210 yards last week in a 42-11 win over Marlington. The senior quarterback is 51-of-94 on the year for 1,036 yards, eight TDs and five interceptions.
Law has got a quartet of receivers, including Weber, but wideouts Ted Robb (21 catches, 370 yards) and Anthony Barkhurst (11, 227) are the main targets. Tight end John Bertsch (9, 249) has come on strong, too.
For Law to be successful, he will need to make quick, correct decision. Louisville’s defense will blitz from anywhere at any time.
“Their defense is very physical and goes so hard on the line,” Whiting said. “That front five comes in and blows up everything in front of them, letting the linebackers clean up. If you spread them out, they believe they can get to your quarterback before he can throw. You may complete a few passes, but in time they are going to hit the quarterback so many times, they’ll win in the end.”
For the Leopards, it starts with QB Drew Kuhn, who threw for 328 yards and four touchdowns, three to senior Bill Poyser, during last week’s comeback. Kuhn has thrown for 939 yards and is just as much a threat to run. He leads the Leopards with 540 rushing yards.
“Our focus on defense is to stop Kuhn, but he’s become such a good distributor,” Whiting said. “He can get the ball to other people who can hurt you.”
Those include tailback Brian Whaley and wideouts Ben Schmucker, Kyle Smith and Poyser. The 6-6 Smith has six TDs on 18 catches.
Speed, experience, toughness, ability. Both sides are loaded.
Come Saturday morning, both teams will be bruised and sore. But one side will have another memory to add to what they hope is a championship season. “This is what high school football is all about,” Farrah said. “Our kids respect them. They respect us. Hopefully, the weather is dry, and the best team wins.” Reach Repository Assistant Sports Editor Joe Frollo Jr. at (330) 580-8564 or e-mail
[email protected]
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