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Yappi.com writer LOUISVILLE--Louisville fans that made the trek to Louisville Stadium on Friday nights got their money's worth on the 2005 season. There was a big win over eventual Federal League runner-up North Canton Hoover. They ran through the ever-so-strong Northeastern Buckeye Conference untouched. They made an appearance in the regional championship, joining Stark County schools Central Catholic, Canton McKinley, and Massillon to compete for regional titles. They showed that when you have the mastery of brilliance, there is no limit to what you can do. However, their season ended on a lonely highway back from Warren's Mollenkopf Stadium as their undefeated season after 12 games in the form of a bitter 7-0 loss to Mike Pavlansky and his Canfield Cardinals. Nine months after that loss brought tears to the eyes of everyone associated with Louisville football, the Leopards are back and ready to bear their claws once again as they get prepared for the 2006 season. Seventh-year head coach Paul Farrah reminisced briefly on the 2005 Leopards and their accomplishments. It was arguably the best team he had during his tenure at the school. "The senior class is what I will remember the most about the 2005 team. We went 12-1 and the way we matured in terms of discipline is something that stands out to me the most," Farrah said via phone interview. "The turning point of our season was our win against North Canton Hoover. We played defense and we turned back their challenge to pull out a key win." The Leopards will assume the task of defending their NBC title. According to Farrah, he said that the Leopards were picked to finish third in the conference. The blue and white return four starters on offense and seven on defense. That is an indication that the defense will have to carry the load this year. And that is no problem for Farrah, given that his team has always been a fundamentally sound team on defense. Farrah got a solid look at his defense last week in a 7-on-7 scrimmage against Federal League champion and defending regional runner-up Canton McKinley. "We played six DB's during our 7-on-7 against Canton McKinley. But we will operate out of a 5-3 defense this season. We are a very athletic defense," Farrah said. When asked if the defense will carry the Leopards, he took it as a compliment. "That's the best question you have asked. We have to play good defense this season to be successful this season." Offensively, the Leopards expect to be balanced and maintain a 50/50 ratio on the pass and run. It will be their way of keeping teams guessing as a game wears on. It is an asset that according to Farrah that is backed statistically. "If you look at our stats last season, we finished with close to 2,000 rush and 2,000 pass yards," he said. In the seven years Farrah has coached at Louisville, he has quickly become one of the top league honchos in the NBC. That can be attributed to the Leopards imposing their championship will on other teams. One of those years also included a Division II poll championship. Farrah attests to the fact that the Leopards have imposed their championship will on others by "winning games on tradition." The fact that the Leopards have 520 wins in their history is a testament of that. "We try to win games on tradition and there are some that we have to tough it out," Farrah said. "But at the same time you have to understand that Canton South has some skill players coming back and Northwest is in the same breath when you look at the job that Vic Whiting has done since he arrived at the school. Then you can't forget about Carrollton and West Branch." "At least every season we will have three teams from the NBC in the playoffs every season." Defending their league championship will not be an easy task. The Leopards open up their first three contests against Poland Seminary at home and then face off with Federal League foes Lake and North Canton Hoover before entering league play. It is a challenge greatly accepted by Farrah and his hordes of Leopards. "My assistant coaches do a good job of getting our players ready to play and the kids do a great job responding," Farrah said. "From looking at the schedule, it will be five home and five away games. With a lot of heart and determination, that is what it will take to win games this year and defend our league title." Louisville and their fans got their money's worth in 2005 and don't be surprised if they get their worth again in 2006. |
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