LOUISVILLE — The Louisville High School football team extended its win streak to four games Friday night with a dominating defensive performance in a a 22-10 non-region victory against Columbus at Hinze Stadium.
With the victory, Louisville improved to 4-1, while the Columbus fell to 3-1.
The story of the night was the home team”s defense. The Wildcats forced four turnovers and held the Falcons to a season-low 129 yards total offense and no offensive touchdowns.
“The defense played their hearts out tonight,” Louisville senior cornerback C.J. Bates said. “This was easily the best defensive game we have played all year. Columbus is by far the best ballclub we have faced all year. They fought and we fought. This tells us that when we put our mind to it and play hard we can line up and beat the best.”
Louisville received 135 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries from senior running back Davais Schaffer, who had a back-breaking 77-yard touchdown run with 4 minutes, 37 seconds left in regulation.
“We really struggled on offense,” Columbus coach Tony Stanford said. “Defensively, we played a really good ballgame. It is hard to get high school kids to play three straight weeks with great effort. A letdown could be expected. Now, we have to go back to work and get ready for Tupelo.”
The Wildcats defense brought the lumber from the opening kickoff.
Louisville drove its second possession from its 45-yard-line down to the Columbus 1. The Falcons held on third down from the 2 and fourth down from the 1.
After the change of possession, Louisville scored first when Anthony Davis and Chaffin Triplett combined to tackle quarterback Cedric Jackson in the end zone for a safety.
The Wildcats took the ensuing free kick 46 yards on nine plays for the game”s first offensive touchdown. Schaffer carried three times on the drive, including a 2-yard touchdown run on third down. Sophomore quarterback Wyatt Roberts hit Desmond Goss for a two-point conversion and suddenly the hosts led 10-0.
“The offense really had a good first half,” Roberts said. “In the second half, we made way too mental mistakes which we will have to correct to keep winning. The offensive line played well tonight. They blocked and did a great job allowing our backs some room to run. It feels really good to get this win.”
Columbus continued to sputter on offense. The Falcons managed 53 yards total offense in the opening half. The Falcons scored midway through the second quarter on a 25-yard field goal by Ricky Hackler.
Louisville led 10-3 at the intermission.
“We had preached to our kids all week you were going to play a team coming off a great win,” Louisville coach M.C. Miller said. “When you have a great win, sometimes you get a little fat. You can get a little cocky. I think Columbus came in that way. Not to take anything away from Columbus. They are a great team and they will do some great things down the road.”
“We want to do some great things ourselves. I thought our kids really responded and really came ready to play against a great team.”
The Wildcats had another big defensive play seconds into the second half. The opening kickoff of that half was fumbled by Columbus and recovered by Louisville”s Triplett.
Louisville needed five plays to march 29 yards for a critical score. Roberts called his number with a 16-yard rumble to paydirt. The conversion attempt failed and Louisville led 16-3.
It appeared then that the hosts were then in cruise control. After all, the Louisville defense was well on its way to finishing a four-takeaway night. Then suddenly Louisville gave one back.
In the opening minute of the fourth quarter, Louisville faced a third-and-16 on its 32, but Columbus” Jimmy Cockrell intercepted a pass and had no trouble racing 37 yards for the score. Hackler”s kick made it 16-10.
“We had no business throwing the ball there,” Miller said. “That one is on me. You run the football, punt and continue to play some great defense. Fortunately, that play did not matter in the end.”
The new life the Falcons received only last 14 seconds, which is how long it took for Schaffer to run 77 yards on the game”s next play.
“We went into the game trying to stop No. 11 (Bates),” Stanford said. “Several people had told us the key to beating Louisville was to keep No. 11 under control. If we were going to lose, other people had to beat us. They had other players who stepped up and did that tonight.”
Louisville finished with 14 first downs and 289 yards of total offense. The Wildcats had 40 rushes for 177 yards. Roberts was 12-of-27 with two interceptions for 112 yards. Louisville did commit three turnovers.
Columbus finished with 16 first downs and 129 yards of total offense. Damian Baker had his fourth 100-yard rushing game for the season. Baker had 18 rushes for 113 yards. Jackson and Trace Lee were a combined 8-of-19 passing with two interceptions for 58 yards.
“We are not where we need to be but we do keep winning,” Miller said. “However, it is a lot easier to come back to work Monday and make corrections after you win. When we lose, it is a sad week for me. I am very glad this is not going to be a sad week.”
Columbus will open Class 6A, Region 1 play Friday with a home game against Tupelo. Louisville will close its non-region schedule Friday at home against Aberdeen.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 52 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.