This Date in SFD Football History - 10/2/76
1976 Seniors. 1st Row, left to right: Bob Fresco — Co-Capt.; Jeff Fox; Steve Clobo — Co-Capt.; Rudy Tiburzio; Joe McCloskey; Todd Long; Joe Milano.
2nd Row, left to right: Dominic Tiberi; Drew Susi; Joe Conti; Bob Burrell; Gary Cummings; Matt Pomeroy; Joe Craig.
Greg Diehl scored a pair of rushing touchdowns as St. Francis DeSales defeated Westerville North, 13-12.
Diehl found the end zone on runs of two and five yards, while Bob Cua’s extra point ultimately proved to be the difference.
With a little more than two minutes remaining in the game, Westerville North attempted a two-point conversion, but the Stallion defense came up with the stop. DeSales held on for the one-point victory and improved to 4-0 to begin the 1976 season.
Diehl would go on to lead Franklin County in scoring that season with 106 points on 17 touchdowns.
Where Are They Now? - Tom Ryan '65
Week 7
Tom
RYAN
1963-1964
The seventh edition of “Where Are They Now” for the 2026 season, presented by Ben Aucoin, State Farm Agent, is Tom Ryan ‘65!
Ryan was one of three captains of the 1964 Stallions, helping DeSales capture a share of the Central Catholic League championship — the first CCL title in program history. A 5-foot-6, 195-pound tackle, Ryan later graduated from Ohio State and served in the United States Marine Corps.
Here, the former Stallion looks back on DeSales’ early days, winning the program’s first championship trophy, a memorable goal-line play against Brookhaven, and the friendships with his teammates and classmates that have lasted more than 60 years…
A special thanks to State Farm Agent and SFD Assistant Coach Ben Aucoin for sponsoring the series once again!
THE 1964 CENTRAL CATHOLIC LEAGUE CO-CHAMPIONS — THE FIRST CCL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM IN PROGRAM HISTORY.
Bishop Watterson 32, DeSales 0
For the first time since the 2004 through 2006 seasons, DeSales has dropped three straight games to Bishop Watterson, as the Eagles defeated the Stallions, 32-0, Friday night at Ohio Dominican. It was also the first time since the 2013 season that DeSales was held scoreless.
With 3:41 remaining in the fourth quarter, Keaton Jones scored on a one-yard touchdown run to extend the Watterson lead to 32-0.
On the ensuing two-point conversion attempt, Jones took the handoff and headed for the left side, where sophomore linebacker Jonah Jenkins beat Michael Boyle to the point of attack and wrapped up Jones low. Sophomore linebacker Carter Clark crashed down from the edge to finish the tackle, stopping Jones just shy of the goal line.
The stand preserved the 32-0 deficit.
This Date in SFD Football History - 9/25/1981
The Stallions went on the road and shut out Bedford St. Peter Chanel, 14-0, to improve to 4-0 on the 1981 season. It was DeSales’ third consecutive shutout.
Greg Williams scored on a 2-yard run in the first quarter, and Tom White added a 30-yard touchdown reception from Joe Peterson, set up by a DeSales interception. Mark Engert capped the scoring with a safety in the fourth quarter.
The 1981 DeSales defense would finish the season with 29 takeaways while allowing just 6.6 points per game.
Here is a Catholic Times photo of members of the 1981 team, which finished 8-2 and fourth in its region. The playoffs did not expand to four teams per region until 1985, keeping the Stallions out of the postseason despite their strong season.
Where Are They Now? - Bobby Brandenstein '99
Week 6
Bobby
BRANDENSTEIN
1995-1998
The sixth edition of “Where Are They Now” for the 2026 season, presented by Ben Aucoin, State Farm Agent, is Bobby Brandenstein ‘99!
As a senior, Bobby was a First Team All-Central District Linebacker and was recognized as Special Mention All-Ohio on the 1998 Division-III State Championship team that allowed only 8.8 points per game. He went onto play collegiately at Akron and Otterbein.
Here, the former Stallion looks back on his playing days at DeSales, including a perfect 4-0 record against Watterson, two state championships, and the brotherhood that made those teams so special…
A special thanks to State Farm Agent and SFD Assistant Coach Ben Aucoin for sponsoring the series once again!
Brandenstein (left) celebrating with teammate Mike Fletcher (11) in the final moments of the 1998 Division-III State Championship Game
DeSales 27, River Rouge 14, final
RJ Day and Kaleb Johnson each rushed for two touchdowns to lead DeSales to a 27-14 win over River Rouge (MI), as the Stallions improved to 4-1 on the season. Evan Draher recorded an interception, part of a three-turnover night for DeSales. Jonah Jenkins had a game-high 15 tackles, including four for a loss. It was DeSales’ first-ever win over a team from Michigan.
This Date in SFD Football History | September 18, 1987
DeSales improved to 3-0 and won its 27th consecutive game with a 10-6 victory over Northland.
Dan Sprout’s 21-yard field goal put the Stallions up 3-0 late in the first quarter, and Tom Walsh’s six-yard touchdown run extended the lead to 10-0 with 6:45 left in the first half.
The Stallion defense held Northland to just 124 yards, but the Vikings made it interesting, cutting the lead to 10-6 with 1:44 remaining.
The Vikings then tried an onside kick, but after a lengthy pileup, DeSales came away with the football and held on for the win.
Where Are They Now? - Mike Mayhew '97
Week 5
Mike
MAYHEW
1993-1996
The fifth edition of “Where Are They Now” for the 2026 season, presented by Ben Aucoin, State Farm Agent, is Mike Mayhew ‘97!
As a senior, Mike put together a remarkable final season for the Stallions. He set what was, at the time, a program record with 10 interceptions, scored seven touchdowns - including two on punt returns - and led the team in both receptions and receiving yards. His performance earned him First Team All-Central District honors on the 1996 State Runner-up Team.
Here, Mike reflects on going from backyard football with his friends to Friday nights at DeSales, and how those friendships have continued to shape his life in athletics and business…
A special thanks to State Farm Agent and SFD Assistant Coach Ben Aucoin for sponsoring the series once again!
Mayhew (14) is pictured at the top of a defense that featured plenty of future college football talent.
Six members of the 1996 team went on to commit to play Division-I football: Matt Stewart (Vanderbilt), Tom Weilbacher (Ohio), John Kelley (Army), Scott Smith (Akron), Mayhew (Miami OH) and Grant Bowman (Michigan).
Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph 20, DeSales 17, final.
DeSales suffered its first loss of the 2026 season, falling 20-17 on the road to Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph. The Stallions rallied from a 13-3 deficit and took their first lead on a 5-yard touchdown pass from RJ Day to Dax Middleton with 38 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Middleton’s second touchdown reception of the game. VASJ answered on its ensuing possession to regain the lead and held on for the three-point victory.
This Date in SFD Football History | September 11, 2009
With the Stallions up 13-6, late in the 4th quarter, with New Albany driving, DeSales defensive end Chris Rock tipped a Joe Morlan pass and intercepted it, clinching the 23rd consecutive regular season win for the Purple and White. Junior quarterback Nick Gentile led the way for the Stallions after rushing for 137 yards on 22 carries. New Albany took a 3-0 lead into the locker room, but Warren Ball’s one-yard touchdown run gave the Stallions the lead for good in the third quarter.
Where Are They Now? - Alonzo Booth '17
Week 4
Alonzo
BOOTH
2015-2016
The fourth edition of “Where Are They Now” for the 2026 season, presented by Ben Aucoin, State Farm Agent, is Alonzo Booth ‘17!
As a senior, Booth rushed for a school-record 2,437 yards while helping lead the Stallions to a Regional Championship and a 13-1 record. He also set a program record with 39 touchdowns, finished as the runner-up for Ohio Mr. Football, earned First Team All-Ohio honors, and was named the Division-III Central District Offensive Player of the Year.
Booth finished his DeSales career with 3,352 rushing yards, second-most in program history, and still holds the school single-game record after rushing for 320 yards against Covington Catholic.
He went onto play collegiately at Eastern Kentucky, where he appeared in 32 games for the Colonels. During his career at EKU, he developed into one of the Ohio Valley Conference’s top running backs, earning Second Team All-OVC honors in 2019 after rushing for 673 yards and an OVC-best 14 touchdowns. He followed with 708 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in nine starts in 2020, leading all FCS players competing that fall in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
Click here to see what Alzono is up to these days and hear about his time with the Stallions…
A special thanks to State Farm Agent and SFD Assistant Coach Ben Aucoin for sponsoring the series once again!
Booth set a program record with 252 rushing yards against Watterson in 2015 (pictured) before breaking his own mark with 320 yards against Covington Catholic the following season.
DeSales 35, Columbus East 14, final
The Stallions improved to 3-0 and earned the 500th win in program history, becoming the 110th team in Ohio to reach the milestone. DeSales is one of only nine of those 110 programs that began playing football in 1950 or later.
Unofficially, RJ Day threw for four touchdowns and 276 yards. Sophomore linebackers Jonah Jenkins and Alex Velazquez each forced and recovered fumbles.
Jordan Karhoff passed Heath Killilea for third place all-time in SFD history for most career recieving touchdowns after hauling in two scores passes. He also recorded his first interception of the season.
Dax Middleton (22 reception), Kaleb Johnson (6 rush), and CJ Wells (37 reception) each had touchdowns for the Stallions.
This Date in SFD Football History (9/4/92)
Today, we go back to September 4, 1992, when senior quarterback Brian Emmerling scored on a 9-yard run with just seven seconds remaining to lift DeSales to a dramatic 17-14 victory over Brookhaven in the season opener.
On the game-winning drive, DeSales faced third-and-goal from the Brookhaven 14-yard line when a pass interference penalty gave the Stallions a first down at the 9. After spiking the ball to stop the clock, Emmerling took it in himself, scoring the go-ahead touchdown with seven seconds to play.
The Stallions had trailed 14-3 at halftime, but the defense shut down the Bearcats after the break. Brookhaven was held scoreless in the second half and did not cross midfield in the fourth quarter.
DeSales began its comeback with a 2-yard touchdown run by Adam Conley before Emmerling finished the rally in the closing seconds.
Where Are They Now? - Ike Ariguzo '09
Week 3
Ike
ARIGUZO
2005-2006; 2008
The third edition of “Where Are They Now” for the 2026 season, presented by Ben Aucoin, State Farm Agent, is Ike Ariguzo ‘09!
A two-sport standout at DeSales, Ike was a member of two Regional Championship teams during his senior year. On the gridiron, Ariguzo tied a school record with nine receiving touchdowns in 2008 and earned Special Mention All-District honors.
After beginning his college career at the Air Force Academy, Ike played his final two seasons at Eastern Kentucky University, where he recorded 38 receptions for 573 yards and six touchdowns in 22 games. In 2014, he spent time on the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad.
Ike was also a two-year letter-winner for DeSales Basketball, including as a senior in 2009 when the Stallions won a Regional Championship and made the program’s fourth State Final Four appearance.
Here, Ike reflects on his time with the Stallion Football team…
A special thanks to State Farm Agent and SFD Assistant Coach Ben Aucoin for sponsoring the series once again!
The Stallions captured a 2009 Division-II Regional Championship and finished 22-4
DeSales 41, Walnut Ridge 6, Final
RJ Day threw for 254 yards and accounted for four touchdowns, including three through the air. Dax Middleton totaled 82 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Jordan Karhoff hauled in six passes for 70 yards and a score. Karhoff also blocked a field goal and partially deflected a punt.
Kaleb Johnson contributed two rushing touchdowns, including an 80-yarder on the game’s first play, and also recorded an interception. Day also surpassed 6,000 career passing yards.
CJ Wells led the Stallions with 92 receiving yards. All of those numbers came in the first half, as the Stallion reserves played the entire second half.
This Date in SFD Football History (8/28/20)
In a season unlike any other, when the COVID-19 pandemic left teams unsure whether they would have a season at all, DeSales and Watterson opened their seasons against each other at Watterson. Quintell Quinn had three rushing touchdowns, including a four-yard run in overtime to help lead the Stallions to a 28-22 overtime victory, their seventh win over the Eagles in eight games. After DeSales stopped Watterson on its first overtime possession, Quinn ran for 3 yards and 13 yards before scoring the game-winning touchdown. Earlier in the game, after an interception return for an Eagle touchdown, Quinn also blocked an extra point to keep the game within one score at 22-14. The game was delayed due to thunder for 30 minutes and when play resumed, Quinn scored on the very first play to make it 22-20. Nathan Barber tied the game at 22 with a reception on a two-point conversion. Jordan Johnson had an 85-yard touchdown reception from Whit Hobgood in the first half, but DeSales trailed 16-7 at the break. The win helped Coach Wiggins improve to 13-4 against Watterson.
Where Are They Now? - Mike DeAscentis '66
Week 2
Mike
DEACENTIS
1962-1965
The second edition of “Where Are They Now” for the 2026 season, presented by Ben Aucoin, State Farm Agent, is Mike DeAscentis ‘66!
A two-sport standout at DeSales, DeAscentis was a two-time All-Central Catholic League selection in football. As a junior, he was a member of the 1964 team that captured the first CCL championship in program history, before taking over at quarterback as a senior and leading the Stallions to a 7-1 record.
His success extended to the wrestling mat, where he helped the Stallions win three straight CCL team titles. As a junior, DeAscentis, Steve Arnold and Dave Kauder also made history as the first DeSales athletes to compete in statewide competition in any sport and helped lead the program to their first District Championship. In his final season, DeAscentis finished third at 165 pounds at the 1966 State Wrestling Meet.
Here, Mike recalls his playing days for DeSales…
A special thanks to State Farm Agent and SFD Assistant Coach Ben Aucoin for sponsoring the series once again!
The 1965 District Championship Wrestling Team (Pictured First row: Steve Conway, Steve Arnold, Rick Claprod, Mike De Asentis, Wayne Hiles, Mike Mahoney, Mark Ferrick.; Second row: Pat Fickel, Bob Feeney, Rick Dardinger, Peary Evans, Dave Kauder, Coach Jim Herold.; Third row: Tim Gallagher, Ron Dardinger, Jan Rozanski, Ted Mosure, Coach Don Herold)
DeSales 31, Ursuline 7, Final
St. Francis DeSales opened the 2026 season with a victory over Youngstown Ursuline Friday night at Alumni Stadium in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
Senior quarterback RJ Day completed 24-of-29 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns, spreading the ball around to several different receivers.
Jordan Karhoff led the Stallions with seven receptions, including a two-yard touchdown catch. CJ Wells finished with 64 receiving yards, highlighted by a 39-yard touchdown reception, while Dax Middleton added five catches for 64 yards.
Karhoff's touchdown was the ninth receiving score of his career, moving him into a tie for fourth place on DeSales' all-time list. He joins Chris Roy (1985-87), Ike Ariguzo (2008), Kenny Stafford (2005-07), Jordan Johnson (2019-20) and Justin Thompson (2006-07) with nine career touchdown receptions.
The Stallion defense also made its presence felt, intercepting Ursuline three times. Sophomores Alex Velazquez and Jonah Jenkins each recorded the first interception of their varsity careers, while Dax Middleton provided the biggest defensive play of the night, returning an interception 68 yards for a touchdown.
Senior Kaleb Johnson added a touchdown on the ground, scoring from seven yards out, while Ryan Bangert connected on a 33-yard field goal late in the second quarter to send DeSales into halftime with a 17-7 lead.
The Stallions were able to come away with the season-opening victory despite a penalty-filled night that saw DeSales flagged more than 15 times.
Where Are They Now? - Jaylen Ball '20
Week 1
Jaylen
BALL
2016-2020
The first edition of “Where Are They Now” for the 2026 season, presented by Ben Aucoin, State Farm Agent, is Jaylen Ball ‘20!
Jaylen was a three-year letter-winner in both football and track for the Stallions. On the track, he was a member of the 4x100-meter relay team that placed eighth at the Division II State Meet, earning First Team All-Ohio honors.
After DeSales, Jaylen continued his football career at the University of Akron before injuries ultimately brought his playing days to an early end.
Jaylen is currently in his second year of physical therapy school at Cleveland State University.
Click here to read about Jaylen’s playing days as a Stallion!
A special thanks to State Farm Agent and SFD Assistant Coach Ben Aucoin for sponsoring the series once again!
Ball played both ways as a senior on a Regional Semifinalist team