This Date in SFD Football History (8/30/85)
The 1985 Team
Onto this date in St. Francis DeSales football history. It’s our first of the season, since DeSales had never played on August 23, in their previous 62 seasons of football. This week, we go back to August 30, 1985, the season opener for the Stallions, who were picked to finish 4th in a preseason CCL poll. DeSales began the ’85 campaign with a 10-0 win against Dublin High School, with all ten points coming in the third quarter. Shawn Ream opened the scoring, with a 26-yard field goal, and Jamey Cua added a 53-yard score, as the Stallions out-gained the Shamrocks 208-77 on the ground. The Stallion Defense forced three turnovers, including two fumbles. Paul Haynes led the way with 97 yards rushing for DeSales, while Cua had 86. The 1985 team would go on to set a school record for most points scored in a regular season (288), but the game against the Shamrocks was their lowest total of the year. The Stallions were without the services of returning letter-winning quarterback, Mike Asbeck, due to a knee injury.
The official DeSales scorebook from the 1985 Dublin game
Where Are They Now? - Nick Gentile '11
Week 2
Nick
GENTILE
2007-2011
The second edition of "Where Are They Now" for the 2024 season, presented by Ben Aucoin, State Farm Agent, is Nick Gentile ‘11.
Nick was a two-year starting quarterback for the Stallions and helped lead DeSales to a 2009 Regional Championship. As a junior, he finished with over 2,000 all-purpose yards, including 1,301 rushing yards on the State Runner-up Team.
These days, Nick resides in Austin, Texas with his wife and former SFD Cheerleading Captain, Alana (Balzano) ‘11, and their son Giovanni ‘41.
Click here to hear more about Nick’s playing days….
A special thanks to State Farm Agent and SFD Assistant Coach Ben Aucoin for sponsoring this series once again!
2009 Regional Champions
Where Are They Now? - Frank DeMatteis '64
Week 1
Frank
DEMATTEIS
1962-1963
The first edition of "Where Are They Now" for the 2024 season, presented by Ben Aucoin, State Farm Agent, is Frank DeMatteis ‘64.
On September 8, 1962, Frank became the first DeSales Varsity Football player to score a touchdown in a varsity game. DeMatteis crossed the goal line in a 28-12 loss at Portsmouth Notre Dame.
Click here for more…
A special thanks to State Farm Agent and SFD Assistant Coach Ben Aucoin for sponsoring this series once again!
The 1962 Varsity Football Team
The program cover for the first Varsity Football Game for DeSales
SFD Alumnus Cole Potts '20 named Preseason All-Sun Belt Team for James Madison
Photo Credit: James Madison Athletics
Former Stallion lineman Cole Potts ‘20 was named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Team, the league announced Monday (7/23). Potts was one of two JMU players to be named to the First Team. Potts is a four-year starter at right guard, having started 53 of his 54 career games.
Last season, the Dukes lost to Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl 31-21 and finished 11-2. Potts started all 13 games at right guard and was a part of an offensive line that helped JMU rank top 30 in the FBS in six offensive categories, which included tied for sixth in passing touchdowns (36), 13th in pass efficiency rating (162.6), completion percentage (67.3%), 17th in yards per pass attempt (8.6), 20th in passing yards (284.8) and 23rd in scoring offense (34.1).
DeSales set to join the Ohio Catholic Athletic Conference in 2026
DeSales will begin competition in Varsity Football in the newly formed Ohio Catholic Athletic Conference in the Fall of 2026. The participating schools in the first year will be: Akron St. Vincent St. Mary, Cleveland Villa Angela Saint Joseph, Bishop Hartley, Bishop Watterson, Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit, Youngstown Cardinal Mooney, and Youngstown Ursuline.
The Ohio Catholic Athletic Conference will begin as a football only conference in 2026 with future plans for competing together in all Ohio High School Athletic Association sanctioned sports.
All-time against the schools in the new Ohio Catholic Athletic Conference, DeSales is 59-60-3, including 3-3 against Akron St. Vincent St. Mary, 2-2 versus Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit, and a 2-3 series record against Youngstown Cardinal Mooney. DeSales has never faced Cleveland Villa Angela Saint Joseph or Youngstown Ursuline. Joining SFD from the Central Catholic League are Bishop Hartley (22-14-2) and Bishop Watterson (30-38-1).
This will be the third league DeSales will compete in with varsity football. The school joined the Ohio Catholic league from 1988 to 1990 when the CCL combined with Kettering Alter, Dayton Chaminade-Julienne and Hamilton Badin.
SFD Senior Lineman Ty Neubert Commits to Ohio University
Ty Neubert, a rising senior lineman, verbally committed to play football at Ohio University. Neubert has started 36 straight games on the defensive line and was named First Team All-Central District last season. As junior he finished with 42 tackles, 12 of them for a loss, with three sacks and on offense, he also started all 11 games at left tackle.
Neubert, a two-time First Team All-Central Catholic League player, chose Ohio over Kent State and Eastern Michigan.
Bob Jacoby Inducted into the OHSFCA Hall of Fame
Last evening (June 14), former SFD Head Football coach, and current Assistant Coach, Bob Jacoby was inducted into the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame
Coach Jacoby led the Stallions for 19 seasons from 1988-2006, compiling a 169-68 overall record. DeSales won two state championships in 1997 and 1998, and were state runners-up four times in 1990, 1996, 2001 and 2005. The Stallions made the OHSAA playoffs 15 times under Jacoby (out of 19), including 13 straight from 1994-2006
He returned to DeSales in 2021, where he serves as an Assistant Coach and a Physical Education Teacher.
SFD Alumnus Nathaniel Wallace-Dilling '22 Commits to UCONN
SFD alumnus and former Stallion punter Nathaniel Wallace-Dilling ‘22 committed to play football at UCONN on April 26.
Wallace-Dilling played last season at Riverside City College in California. For the Tigers, he had 41 punts, averaging 40.1 per with 15 inside the 20 yard line as was named First Team All-Southern California Football Association.
While at DeSales, Wallace-Dilling was a two-year starter and as a senior he was named Second Team All-Ohio. He averaged 38 yards per punt on 44 attempts and pinned opponents inside the 20 yard line 15 times
SFD Alumni Bowl Report
Seven former SFD Football alums are participating in College Football Bowl Games, starting this Saturday (12/16) with Quintell Quinn ‘21 and Ohio University in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. Five other Stallions and their teams also took part in postseason play in Division-II, Division-III, and in the junior college ranks.
See below for the complete list of former Stallions.
Ty Van Fossen ‘18 (Photo credit: GoBearcats.com)
Myrtle Beach Bowl, December 16, 11 AM
Ohio vs. Georgia Southern
SFD Alumni: Ohio University - Quintell Quinn ‘21
Quinn’s Ohio University Bio
Season notes: The 6-1, 217 pound redshirt sophomore running back has appeared in six games for the Bobcats. Quinn has 22 yards on five carries. For his career, he’s played in 16 games at Ohio.
Photo credit: OhioBobcats.com
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, December 23, 3:30 PM
James Madison vs. Air Force
SFD Alumni: James Madison University - Cole Potts ‘20
Potts’ James Madison Bio
Season notes: The former Stallion has started all 12 games at right guard for JMU. The 6-foot-3 306 pound junior has played in 43 career games and has started 36 games for the Dukes.
Photo credit: JMU Sports
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, December 29, 8PM
Ohio State vs. Missouri
SFD Alumnus: Ohio State University - Joey Lyberger ‘12, Quality Control - Defense
Lyberger’s Ohio State Bio
Season notes: Coach Lyberger enters his third season as a member of the Buckeye’s coaching staff. He is a program assistant on the defensive side of the ball, working with linebackers.
Photo Credit: OhioStateBuckeyes.com
(Photo by Brad Fedie/247 Sports)
ReliaQuest Bowl, January 1, 11:00 AM
Wisconsin vs. LSU
SFD Alumni: University of Wisconsin - Rodas Johnson ‘19, Defensive Lineman; Paul Haynes ‘87, Cornerbacks Coach; Luke Fickell ‘92, Head Coach
Johnson’s Wisconsin Bio
Season notes: The redshirt senior defensive lineman recorded 19 tackles with 3 for a loss and started every game for the Badgers. For his career, Rodas has started 20 times and registered 50 tackles with 10 for a loss.
Photo credit: UWBadgers.com
Photo credit: UWBadgers.com
Haynes’ Wisconsin Bio
Season notes: Coach Haynes is in his first season with the Badgers and his 31st overall in coaching. Wisconsin is ranked 26th in the nation in passing defense, allowing 193.4 yards per game.
Photo credit: UWBadgers.com
Photo credit: UWBadgers.com
Fickell’s Wisconsin Bio
Season notes: In his first season at Wisconsin, Fickell led the Badgers to a 7-5 season. Fickell was named the University of Wisconsin football's 31st head coach on Nov. 27, 2022 after spending six years at the University of Cincinnati, where a compiled a 57-18 record. In 2021, he guided the Bearcats to an appearance in the College Football Playoff Semifinals at the Cotton Bowl and the first-ever 13-0 regular-season record in Bearcat history.
Photo credit: UWBadgers.com
Photo Credit: MGoBlue.Com
CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential, January 1, 5:10 PM
Michigan vs. Alabama
SFD Alumnus: University of Michigan - Joey Velazquez ‘19, Linebacker
Photo Credit: MGoBlue.com
Velazquez’s Michigan Bio
Season notes: Velazquez is a three-time letterman for the Wolverine Football team and has earned four letters for UM Baseball. For his career, he has played in 19 football games and 100 baseball games with 68 starts.
NCAA PLAYOFFS - COMPLETED SEASONS
DIVISION-II PLAYOFFS
Grand Valley State University
SFD Alumnus: Jordan Johnson ‘21, Wide Receiver
Johnson’s Grand Valley Bio
Postseason Results: GVSU 21, Ferris State 14 (First Round); GVSU 24, Pittsburg State 21; Harding 7, GVSU 6, (Quarterfinal)
Season Notes: Johnson, a sophomore receiver, made 16 receptions for 286 yards with 2 touchdowns for the second ranked Lakers, who finished 11-2. For his career, the 6-foot, 185 former Stallion has appeared in 22 games.
Photo credit: GVSULakers.com
Tiffin University
SFD Alumni: JJ Baughman ‘21, Special Teams; Ben Famosa ‘23, Tight End
Baughman’s Tiffin Bio
Postseason Result: Slippery Rock 45, Tiffin 35 (Second Round)
Season Notes: Baughman, a junior, appeared in 10 games for the Dragons and served as the primary kickoff specialist. The former Stallion also punted 3 times and made 1 extra point for Tiffin, who finished 11-1.
Photo Credit: gotiffindragons.com
Famosa’s Tiffin Bio
Results: Slippery Rock 45, Tiffin 35 (Second Round)
Season Notes: The 6-foot-2, 225 pound freshman did not appear in any games for Tiffin this season.
Photo Credit: gotiffindragons.com
DIVISION-III PLAYOFFS
University of Mount Union
SFD Alumnus: Randy Tawiah ‘20, Kicker
Tawiah’s Mount Union Bio
Postseason Result: Alma 24, Mount Union 20 (Second Round)
Season Notes: Tawiah, a senior, made his first career extra point against Muskingum on 9/23. For his career, he appeared in four games for the Purple Raiders, who finished the season at 11-1.
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS
Riverside Community College
SFD Alumnus: Nathaniel Wallace-Dilling '22, punter
Wallace-Dilling’s Riverside Bio
Postseason Results: RCC 51, Mt. San Antonio 48 (Southern California Regional Playoffs); RCC 45, Ventura 26 (SCFA Championship); RCC 24, San Mateo 21 (3C2A State Championship)
Season Notes: Wallace-Dilling, a freshman, earned First Team All-National Division, Southern League honors after averaging 39.9 yards per punt with 14 inside the 20 for the 12-1 Tigers.
SFD Senior Linebacker Max Shulaw named First Team All-Ohio
DeSales senior linebacker Max Shulaw was named First Team All-Ohio by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association earlier today (12/6) This season, Max led the Co-CCL champions with 102 tackles and was tied for 16 tackles for a loss. For his career, Max registered 349 tackles, 53.5 for a loss and made 37 starts. Unofficially, Shulaw’s 349 stops were second all-time in a career behind John Callaghan’s 400 tackles from 1988-1990.
Shulaw, a state championship wrestler, is the first SFD athlete to earn First Team All-Ohio honors in two sports since Joey Velaquez (football, baseball) in 2018-2019!
Max Shulaw and Ty Neubert earn First Team All-District honors
A pair of Stallion defenders Max Shulaw and Ty Neubert picked up First Team All-Central District honors in Division-II today (11/6/23).
For Shulaw, who led the team with 102 tackles, it’s the third time the senior has been recognized as a first team selection. Neubert, a junior, has started 36 straight games on the defensive line and finished with 42 tackles, 12 of them for a loss, with three sacks.
Picking up second team honors were senior offensive lineman Nick Vance, senior Cameron Gwinn and senior punter Brendan Ballard.
Junior defensive back Elazar Hood and freshman quarterback RJ Day were named Special Mention All-District. Senior receiver Michael Walker and senior defensive lineman Raesan Betton were Honorable Mention.
This Date in SFD Football History - 10/27/17
Cole Silvestri
DeSales 41, Watterson 7
Senior quarterback Cole Silvestri accounted for five touchdowns, including three in a 28-0 second quarter for the Stallions as they won their fifth straight over Watterson.. Silvestri threw for 161 yards with three scores and rushed for 51 yards and two touchdowns in his final game. The Stallion defense held the Eagles to -9 yards rushing for the game and were led by Ty Van Fossen's nine tackles and 37-yard fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. Van Fossen also caught a 51-yard touchdown pass as did Carter Hilleary (34 yards). Brian Asamoah led the Stallions with 99 yards rushing. It's the second time that Head Coach Ryan Wiggins won five in a row against Watterson.
Ty Van Fossen
Where Are They Now? - Andy Habing '95
Week 11
Andy
HABING
1991-1994
The tenth and final edition of "Where Are They Now" for the 2023 season, presented by Ben Aucoin, State Farm Agent, is Andy Habing ‘95.
As senior, Habing was a First Team All-Ohio defensive lineman on a Stallion team that finished the regular season undefeated for the fifth time in school history. Habing was also named the Central District and Dispatch-Agonis Defensive Player of the Year.
Click here to hear about Andy’s playing days and the impact Coach Jacoby had on him…
A special thanks to State Farm Agent and SFD Assistant Coach Ben Aucoin for sponsoring this series once again!
The Stallion defense finished the season, allowing just 11.5 points per game
Where Are They Now? - Chris Rock '11
Week 10
Chris
ROCK
2008-2010
The ninth edition of "Where Are They Now" for the 2023 season, presented by Ben Aucoin, State Farm Agent, is Chris Rock ‘11.
Rock was a three-year starter for the Stallions and was a part of two Regional Championship teams in 2008 and 2009. As a junior, he was second team All-Ohio after recording 64 tackles and 15 sacks on the Division-III State Runner-up Team. Chris started his career after DeSales at the University of Michigan, but transferred to Ohio State and was a member of the 2014 National Championship Team.
Click here to hear about his playing days as a Stallion…
A special thanks to State Farm Agent and SFD Assistant Coach Ben Aucoin for sponsoring this series once again!
Rock being recognized on Senior Day (photo courtesy of The Columbus Dispatch)
This Date in SFD Football History - 10/20/89
Todd Vrancken ran for one touchdown and threw for the winning score as DeSales defeated Kettering Alter 14-7 in an Ohio Catholic League victory. The Knights took the opening kick 80 yards for a score, but Vrancken tied the game at 7 after a four-yard run. Vrancken finished with 63 yards rushing and had the go-ahead touchdown pass to Chris Rezentes for 65 yards in the fourth quarter. The Stallions stopped the Knights and their attempt to tie the game with a goal line stand late in the fourth quarter.
Where Are They Now? - John Susi '76
Week 9
John
SUSI
1972-1975
The eighth edition of "Where Are They Now" for the 2023 season, presented by Ben Aucoin, State Farm Agent, is John Susi ‘76.
John was a co-captain linebacker for the Stallions in 1975 and had the unique opportunity to play under coaches, Tom Weilbacher, Guido Ricevuto, and Forest “Treeze” Sharrock.
Here John talks about his playing days as a Stallion…
A special thanks to State Farm Agent and SFD Assistant Coach Ben Aucoin for sponsoring this series once again!
This Date in SFD Football History - 10/13/67
Today we go back to October 13, 1967 - 56 years ago today - Mike Roach’s 40-yard touchdown pass to Jim Stafford in the fourth quarter was the difference as the Stallions rallied to beat Whetstone 14-8 for their first win in 1967. The Braves scored first and led 8-0, but Rick Mangini’s two-yard run and a two-point conversion by Skip DeAscentis tied the game at 8-8 in the third quarter.
Game program from the 1967 game against Whetstone
