<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=081Bke_1GsQuew000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=081Bke_1GsQuew000" width="845" height="321" ></figure>SUNBURY, OH — Big Walnut overcame a sluggish opening quarter before turning on the jets Friday night, scoring 37 unanswered points to defeat Louisville 37-7 in the Division II, Region 7 quarterfinals. Behind a monster performance from junior running back Nolan Buirley and a defense that shut down the Leopards, the second-seeded Golden Eagles improved to 11-0 and advanced to the regional semifinals.Louisville came out swinging, holding Big Walnut scoreless in the opening quarter with a pair of defensive stops, including a goal-line stand inside the five-yard line. The Leopards capitalized on a mishandled punt snap that gave them possession at the Golden Eagles’ 14-yard line, where quarterback Cody Zahler scored on the next play to give Louisville a 7-0 advantage.Big Walnut responded immediately in the second quarter as Buirley capped a 72-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run to tie the contest. The Golden Eagles continued building momentum before halftime when quarterback Eli Stumpf connected with Buirley for a 62-yard touchdown pass with 1:52 remaining. Owen Pyles added a 43-yard field goal as time expired, sending Big Walnut into the locker room with a 16-7 lead.The Golden Eagles took complete control in the second half, extending their advantage when Stumpf found Brody Shuster for a 24-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Jackson Bowers added a six-yard scoring run early in the fourth before Buirley put the finishing touches on the victory with a 45-yard touchdown run.Buirley was the difference-maker offensively, rushing for 169 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries while adding three receptions for 82 yards and another score. The junior finished with 251 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns, providing the explosive plays that helped Big Walnut pull away.Stumpf delivered an impressive performance of his own, completing 15 of 27 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. The Golden Eagles quarterback also rushed for 50 yards, finishing with 302 yards of total offense as Big Walnut piled up 516 yards against the Louisville defense.Defensively, the Golden Eagles were equally impressive, limiting Louisville to just 139 yards of total offense and seven first downs. Big Walnut held the Leopards to two conversions on 12 third-down attempts while forcing two interceptions, with Drew Harris and Tanner Harkness each recording takeaways.Louisville running back Lucas Neff, who entered the contest following a 146-yard, three-touchdown performance against Hoover, was held to just five yards on 11 carries. Zahler accounted for 130 of the Leopards’ 139 total yards, but Louisville couldn’t generate enough offense to keep pace after its early touchdown.The loss ends Louisville’s season at 9-3 after a successful campaign that included the program’s first playoff victory since 2015. The Leopards advanced to the regional quarterfinals with a 21-7 victory over North Canton Hoover but couldn’t overcome Big Walnut’s explosive offense and defensive pressure.For Big Walnut, the victory continues an impressive undefeated season and keeps the Golden Eagles on track for a third consecutive regional championship. The program has reached the Division II state semifinals in each of the past two seasons, establishing itself as one of the premier postseason contenders in Ohio.Big Walnut advances to host third-seeded Massillon Washington (10-1) in the Division II, Region 7 semifinals on Friday, November 13, at 7 p.m. The Tigers advanced with a dominant 48-0 victory over Columbus St. Francis DeSales, setting up a rematch between two programs with plenty of recent postseason history.Big Walnut has eliminated Massillon in the regional championship game in each of the past two seasons, making next Friday’s showdown another highly anticipated chapter in the rivalry. With both teams playing outstanding football and a regional championship berth on the line, the Golden Eagles will look to continue their undefeated run against one of Ohio’s most tradition-rich programs.</div></body>

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SUNBURY, OH — Big Walnut overcame a sluggish opening quarter before turning on the jets Friday night, scoring 37 unanswered points to defeat Louisville 37-7 in the Division II, Region 7 quarterfinals. Behind a monster performance from junior running back Nolan Buirley and a defense that shut down the Leopards, the second-seeded Golden Eagles improved to 11-0 and advanced to the regional semifinals.

BIG WALNUT CRACKS THE LEOPARDS

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SUNBURY, OH — Big Walnut overcame a sluggish opening quarter before turning on the jets Friday night, scoring 37 unanswered points to defeat Louisville 37-

BIG WALNUT CRACKS THE LEOPARDS

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