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
SFD Alumnus Nathaniel Wallace-Dilling Named to Preseason Watchlist for 2026 FCS Punter of the Year Award
(Photo credit - @SouthlandSports)
Former Stallion Punter Nathaniel Wallace-Dilling ‘22 was named to the Preseason Watchlist for the 2026 FCS Punter of the year Award, which honors the nation’s top collegiate punter in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
Last season, Wallace-Dilling earned All-Southland Conference Second Team honors for UT Rio Grande Valley after ranking 15th nationally and second in the Southland with a 43.7-yard punting average. The senior appeared in all 12 games, placing 17 punts inside the 20-yard line, including several inside the 5, while recording 14 punts of 50-plus yards.
He was also named to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football All-Texas Non-FBS Second Team and earned All-Southland and Phil Steele All-Conference Second Team honors.
DeSales Hosts Hilliard Bradley in Final Scrimmage
The Stallions concluded their final tuneup before the season opener by hosting Hilliard Bradley tonight. DeSales took their opening possession 70 yards, highlighted by senior quarterback R.J. Day, who went 5-for-5 for 66 yards. His 12-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Karhoff made it 7–0 DeSales. After an SFD interception, the Stallion defense returned the favor when junior defensive back Evan Draher picked off a Jaguar pass in the end zone and returned it 102 yards for a score. The Stallions added to their lead after Karhoff’s second receiving touchdown, a 15-yard catch set up by Kaleb Johnson’s 58-yard screen-play reception. DeSales led 21–7 at halftime before working in some reserves to conclude the second half. Day finished the first half 10-for-12 passing for 153 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
The Purple and White open the 2026 season next Friday night (8/21) at home against Youngstown Ursuline.
Former Stallion Jonathan Thompson '22 named to Butkus Award Preseason Watchlist
SFD alumnus and University of Cincinnati linebacker Jonathan Thompson '22 has been named the the 2026 Butkus Award preseason watchlist!
Last season, the former Stallion started nine games for the Bearcats and finished second on the team with 74 tackles. Click here for his complete UC bio.
DeSales competes at Pickerington North 7-on-7 Tournament
The Stallions continued action in 7-on-7 tournaments today (5/25) at Pickerington North High School. DeSales suffered a last-second loss to the host school in the semifinalss after tourney wins over Anderson B, Findlay, and Kenton.
2026 Varsity Schedule Set
The road to the 2026 season is set! The Stallions will face a schedule that blends CCL rivals, renewed traditions, and exciting new challenges. This fall, DeSales will meet Youngstown Ursuline, River Rouge (MI), and Bloom-Carroll for the first time in program history, while also renewing two series that have been dormant for nearly six decades. The Stallions will face Walnut Ridge for the first time since 1964 and Cleveland St. Joseph (now Villa-Angela St. Joseph) for the first time since 1968.
Pouring Purple will once again be your home of best St. Francis DeSales Football coverage, including, live-by-play action all games, for the 20th season!
If your business is interested in a Pouring Purple Sponsorship, please contact Michele Moriarty at moriarty@desales.co or call 614-267-7808, ext 403.
DeSales finishes as Runner-up at Ohio State's 7-on-7 Tournament
The Stallions finished as runner-up today at the Ohio State University 7-on-7 Tournament, falling in the championship game to Team 24K, led by one of the nation’s top quarterbacks in the Class of 2028.
After opening the day with a 2-1 record in pool play, DeSales earned wins over Villa Angela-St. Joseph, Winton Woods, Upper Arlington, and Pickerington North on the way to the title game.
Defensively, senior Kaleb Johnson paced the Stallions with three interceptions as the DeSales defense totaled 12 takeaways on the day.
Jordan Karhoff verbally commits to Virginia Tech
Two-way player Jordan Karhoff made his verbal commitment to Virginia Tech tonight (5/26). The nation's seventh ranked tight end in the Class of 2027, according to Rivals, had 37 Division-I offers and chose the Hokies over Miami (Fla) and Texas A&M.
Last season, the 6-foot-5, 227 junior became the 14 player in program history to record 500 yards receiving in a single season, while also collecting 17 tackles for loss on defense.
Junior Quarterback RJ Day Verbally Commits to Northwestern
Junior quarterback RJ Day announced his commitment to Northwestern University today (5/10/26). The all-time leading passer in program history, with 5,714 career yards and 54 touchdowns had 18 Division-I offers.
Last year, Day threw for a school-record 2,571 yards and 24 touchdowns and was named Second Team All-Ohio.
The last Stallion football player to compete for Northwestern was Chi Chi Ariguzo ’10. Ariguzo played in 48 games for the Wildcats, made 39 starts, from 2011-14.
Chris Stoll '17 headed to Super Bowl 60 as Seahawks long snapper
St. Francis DeSales High School graduate and former Stallion standout Chris Stoll ‘17 is set to take the field in Super Bowl LX as the long snapper for the Seattle Seahawks on February 8, 2026.
👉 Read more: DeSales graduate Chris Stoll is getting ready for the Super Bowl. He's the long snapper for the Seattle Seahawks.
Frankie McAllister Named First Team All-Ohio
McAllister becomes the third defensive lineman in the past four seasons to earn First Team All-Ohio honors