LOUISVILLE — After his team’s post-game prayer, Louisville High School senior defensive lineman Anthony Davis asked his teammates to help him find his helmet.
Eventually, the headgear was returned. As much hard work had been done by Davis and his defensive teammates, it was amazing the thing was still in one piece.
Led by Davis but with lots of help by others, the Wildcats forced four turnovers and eased to a 14-6 non-region win against Aberdeen before a capacity Homecoming crowd Friday night at R.E. Hinze Stadium.
“The coaches have been preaching all year to become a disruptive defense,” Davis said. “I thought we did that tonight. We got in the backfield and caused all kinds of problems, so this defensive effort is dedicated to our coaches. They really believed in us and now it is beginning to pay off.”
Aberdeen threw two pass interceptions and fumbled the ball twice. Davis forced both fumbles. He also had two critical pass breakups in the fourth quarter and two sacks.
For Louisville, the defense is beginning to get salty at just the right time. The Wildcats will now end the season with five straight Class 4A, Region 4 games. Louisville will enter region play with tons of momentum built by a five-game win streak.
“I really like where we are going entering district play,” Louisville coach M.C. Miller said. “We played a very tough non-district schedule, so to come out of that with one loss is good. Now we are getting ready for the second half of the season where we have to play even better.
“But yes, I am excited about the progress of this team. I like them a lot. We are right where we need to be. Monday, we come out and start working on the next part of the season. Just because you like where you are, doesn’t mean you don’t try to continue to do better.”
In their past two games, which includes a win against Columbus, the Wildcats have allowed one offensive touchdown. Louisville has come a long way since losing to New Hope in the season opener and allowing 35 points two weeks later in a win against Neshoba Central.
“It is all about hard work,” Davis said. “As a defensive unit, we feel like it is our job to set the tone for the game. We want to give it all-out effort every time we play. Even though we are 5-1 we feel like we should be even better than that.”
Aberdeen (2-4) scored on the game’s second possession. The Bulldogs moved 48 yards on just three plays. Quarterback Josh Williams hit Justin Lucas for a 40-yard pass play. Two plays later, Williams called his number and scored on a 1-yard plunge.
Things stayed that way for most of the first half. The Wildcats punted on their first four possessions before finally breaking through right before halftime.
Louisville moved 60 yards on four plays for the game-tying points. Quarterback Wyatt Roberts hit C.J. Bates in the corner of the end zone for a 33-yard touchdown reception. Bates disrupted some of the homecoming decorations beyond the end zone but still tied at 6 at halftime.
“This was really a hard-fought game,” Bates said. “The key for us on offense was to keep No. 11 (Aberdeen’s All-State performer Channing Ward) active. We wanted to run away from him and get him tired. In the second half, that really worked. We wore them down and had some really great drives.”
The Wildcats dominated the activity in the final half. Louisville ran 39 second-half plays, compared to 24 for Aberdeen.
“They really wore us down in the end,” Aberdeen coach Chris Duncan said. “It comes back to the turnovers. We made four. They made none. You give credit to the Louisville defense for making the plays. We played hard but had too many mistakes to overcome.”
On Louisville’s third possession of the second half, the Wildcats took the lead for good. After an interception by Louisville’s Desmond Underwood, the Wildcats took over on the Aberdeen 28-yard-line. On third down from the 28, Roberts again found Bates who made a miraculous catch again in the corner of the end zone. The duo also hooked up for the two-point conversion, creating the game’s final margin with 2 minutes, 3 seconds left in the third quarter.
“When you are dealing with Homecoming, there is going to be all kinds of energy,” Miller said. “As coaches, you don’t know if it is going to be good energy or bad energy. I am really proud of the kids for hanging together and finding a way to beat a good ballclub. We had some great possessions in the second half. We just have to find a way to finish.”
Louisville drove inside the 10-yard-line three times in the second half, only to have Aberdeen turn in its own brilliant defensive work. The Bulldogs forced a turnover on downs at the 8-yard line in the third quarter, followed by the 5-yard line and 9-yard line in the fourth quarter.
While the Aberdeen defense made the great stops, the Bulldogs were still battling long odds from a field position standpoint. Aberdeen only managed 96 yards in the final half and the going was made rougher with three drive starts inside its own 10.
Still, the Bulldogs had one last chance. The final drive of the game started at the Aberdeen 9 but moved to the Louisville 20. Williams hit Aaron McMillian for a critical 25-yard pickup. Louisville aided as well with a roughing the passing penalty. The drive stalled on downs at the 20 when Nick Shields had a critical pass break-up and Davis had a business-closing sack.
“I really like how we are playing as a team right now on both sides of the ball,” Bates said. “The offense still has some room to grow. If we keep playing together as one, we have a chance to be special.”
For the Louisville defense, Chaffin Triplett had both fumble recoveries after Davis had both forces. Stephan Brown joined Underwood with pass interceptions. The Wildcats also had a couple of pass break-ups by Raquel Graham and Underwood contributed a punt block.
Louisville had 13 first downs and 286 total yards. Roberts was 11 of 24 for 117 yards and the two scores.
Aberdeen had 12 first downs and 234 total yards. Williams was 9 of 18 for 186 with two interceptions. The teams combined for five penalties and 10 punts.
Louisville will open region play Friday at Houston. Aberdeen also will play the first of its five Class 3A, Region 2 games Friday at home against Mantachie.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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