This Date in SFD Football History - 10/3/08
Ariguzo comes down with one of his game-high six receptions
DeSales successfully defended its 2007 CCL title with a dramatic comeback 21-17 win over Watterson at Columbus Crew Stadium. Trailing 10-0 at halftime, the Stallions were sparked by a 42-yard run from Josh Kusan and the steady Thomas Gentile–Ike Ariguzo connection. Early in the third quarter, Kusan’s long run set up a Gentile 2-yard touchdown pass to Ariguzo, who went on to catch six passes for 80 yards—most of them after the break. Junior running back Adam Griffin then put DeSales in front with a 22-yard touchdown run late in the fourth. Watterson threatened with a deep drive in the closing minutes, but Kusan, playing both ways, sealed the victory with an interception of Pat Nester.
Where Are They Now? - AJ Principe '07
Week 7
AJ
Principe
2003-2006
The seventh edition of “Where Are They Now” for the 2025 season, presented by Ben Aucoin, State Farm Agent, from the Class of 2007, it’s AJ Principe.
AJ is DeSales’ all-time leading kicker, scoring 181 career points from 2004 through 2006. As a senior in 2006, he tallied 71 points — tied for the fifth-most in a single season in Stallion history — while helping DeSales reach the regional final.
After DeSales, AJ joined the University at Buffalo as a walk-on and quickly earned both a scholarship and the starting job. He went on to have what was called the finest freshman season by a kicker in Buffalo history, setting the school’s single-season scoring record and earning Sporting News Freshman All-America Honorable Mention. Over his four years, AJ delivered multiple game-winning kicks, was a two-time MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week, and helped lead Buffalo to the International Bowl.
He graduated as Buffalo’s all-time leading scorer with 265 career points, holding school records for career field goals and extra points as well.
Click here to read about AJ’s days at DeSales…
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 - 9/26/75
Official Game Day Program
50 Years Ago Today
DeSales improved to 4-0 with a hard-fought 13-7 win over Westerville North. Pete LaPointe carried the Stallions with 125 yards on 27 attempts, capping his night with the game-winning two-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Jeff Fox added a five-yard scoring strike to Ed Diehl for the other DeSales touchdown.
Westerville North opened the scoring and led 7-0 after the first quarter, but Diehl’s touchdown grab evened things up at halftime. The Stallions finished with 224 total yards on the way to victory and kept their perfect record intact.
Where Are They Now? - Cole Potts '20
Week 6
Cole
Potts
2016-2019
The sixth edition of “Where Are They Now” for the 2025 season, presented by Ben Aucoin, State Farm Agent, is Cole Potts ‘20!
As a senior, Cole was a Division II First Team All-Ohio honoree, and he anchored an offensive line that cleared the way for Quintell Quinn’s 1,808-yard season — the second-highest rushing total ever by a Stallion. A two-sport athlete, Cole finished his wrestling career 119-20 and as a two-time State Qualifier, including his junior season when he placed 4th at heavyweight. As a senior, Cole was 38-3 heading into the State Tournament before the event was canceled due to Covid-19.
After DeSales, Cole went on to play football at James Madison, where he became the program’s all-time leader in career starts, earned First Team All-Sun Belt honors, and helped the Dukes to record-breaking offensive success.
Click here to read about why he still calls being a part of the Stallion brotherhood “the greatest honor of his life.”
A special thanks to State Farm Agent and SFD Assistant Coach Ben Aucoin for sponsoring this series once again!
DeSales 35, George Rogers Clark (KY) 21
RJ Day finished with 272 passing yards and three touchdowns as the Stallions improve to 4-1 overall. Dax Middleton (2 TD) with his 7 catches, tied Kevin Hazel for most receptions in a career (67) in program history. Blake Donnelly added 8 receptions for 96 yards and a score. John Hockaday’s three-yard rushing touchdown gave the Stallions the lead for good at 27-21 in the fourth quarter.
This Date in SFD Football History - 9/19/25
The Stallions improved to 3-1 with a 38-27 win over Hartley, powered by a balanced attack and timely defensive stops. DeSales jumped out to a 17-0 lead behind a 26-yard field goal from Dominic DiMaccio, a 9-yard touchdown run by Austin Andrews, and a 2-yard score from Jake Gilmore.
Both Andrews and Gilmore left the game with injuries, but sophomore Brian Asamoah stepped up in the backfield and helped keep the Stallion offense moving.
After Hartley pulled within three before halftime and briefly took the lead in the third quarter, the Stallions answered with a 13-play, 80-yard drive capped by Gilmore’s second touchdown of the night. DeSales regained the lead for good when Dylan Todd connected with Joe Arnold for a 63-yard touchdown strike, followed by a 25-yard scoring pass to Ryan Corkrean that sealed the victory.
Andrews finished with 82 yards and a touchdown, while Todd went 3-for-3 through the air in the second half for 105 yards and two scores.
Jake Gilmore (4) celebrates a Stallion touchdown
Where Are They Now? - Andrew Vitullo '01
Week 5
Andrew
VITULLO
1999-2001
The fifth edition of “Where Are They Now” for the 2025 season, presented by Ben Aucoin, State Farm Agent, is Andrew Vitullo ‘01!
As a senior, Andrew earned First Team All-Ohio honors as an offensive lineman while helping the Stallions to a CCL Championship and a Regional Final appearance. He anchored an offensive line that powered an attack totaling nearly 4,000 yards that season.
Click here to read more about how Andrew once lived the dream of every offensive lineman — sprinting down the field with the ball in his hands — and why a two-point conversion against Westerville South is still one of his most unforgettable memories.
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 - 9/12/14
Josh DeLozier (2) running the option against New Albany
Photo credit: Barb Dougherty
Senior quarterback Josh DeLozier rushed for 151 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-9 win over New Albany. Ryan Corkren (4 yards) and Austin Andrews (86 yards) each had fumble recovery returns for scores as the Stallions snapped a 4-game skid to New Albany. After winning 5 of the first 6 in the series, New Albany won the next four.
Austin Andrew (17) fumble recovery return for a score
Ryan Corkrean (40) fumble recovery for a touchdown
Where Are They Now? - Drew McLuckie '17
Week 4
Drew
MCLUCKIE
2013-2016
The fourth edition of “Where Are They Now” for the 2025 season, presented by Ben Aucoin, State Farm Agent, is Drew McLuckie ‘17!
Drew was a two-way force for the Stallions, starting 35 games at right tackle on offense and 22 games at defensive end. As a senior in 2016, he was named Second Team All-Ohio as an offensive lineman and anchored a line that paved the way for nearly 4,000 rushing yards. On defense, he was second on the team with 22.5 tackles for loss, helping lead the Stallions to a Regional Championship. Drew was also a key part of back-to-back CCL Silver Division Championship teams and two District Championship Baseball teams.
After graduating from DeSales, Drew went on to play collegiately at the University of Findlay, where he appeared in 27 games across his career.
Click here to read about Drew’s playing days as a Stallion…
A special thanks to State Farm Agent and SFD Assistant Coach Ben Aucoin for sponsoring this series once again!
2017 District Champions
DeSales 35, Africentric 18
Junior quarterback RJ Day finished with career highs in yards (278) and touchdowns (5) on 16-of-19 passing in a 35-18 win for the Stallions. Junior receiver Dax Middleton recorded a career-high seven receptions for 143 yards and three touchdowns. It was the most receiving yards for a DeSales player since Jordan Johnson (142) in the 2020 State Final. Senior two-way player Blake Donnelly had an interception in the end zone and finished 109 yards receiving with a score. Like Donnelly, sophomore Josh Elgin also recorded his first career touchdown on the varsity level.
This Date in SFD Football History - 9/5/25
Travis Marter scored two rushing touchdowns for DeSales, quarterback Matt Bajorek added another as the Stallions picked up a 24-3 road win against Westerville South. With the game tied at 3 in the third quarter, Aaron O’Reilly’s punt return gave the Stallions excellent field position, which led to Bajorek’s 6-yard touchdown. DeSales capitalized on a second Wildcat turnover in the third quarter with a 7-play scoring drive, capped-off by a 1-yard touchdown run by Marter. Marter would later add his second touchdown to put the game out of reach in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
Where Are They Now? - Davon Custis '09
Week 3
Davon
CUSTIS
2005-2008
The third edition of “Where Are They Now” for the 2025 season, presented by Ben Aucoin, State Farm Agent, is Davon Custis ‘09!
Davon was a starting defensive end on back-to-back undefeated regular season teams, including 2008, when the Stallions beat Lousiville to win a Regional Championship. In his junior and senior seasons, he totaled 146 tackles, 22 sacks, and 29 tackles for a loss.
After playing collegiately at Northwestern, Davon has returned home, where he is a plan advisor for medical and dental insurance. Not only that, he's also an award winning author! He publishes his books using the pen name Joseph Minart and his The Tale of the Young Witch" made Amazon's Top 100 Free List twice and won several awards in 2023.
Click here for more on Davon's playing days: https://pouringpurple.com/week-3-davon-custis
A special thanks to State Farm Agent and SFD Assistant Coach Ben Aucoin for sponsoring this series once again!
DeSales 34, Northland 0, final.
RJ Day finished 181 yds passing and a score and added a rushing TD. Running back Jonathan Brown had 154 all-purpose yards. Frankie McAllister recorded his first career TD reception and teamed-up with Jordan Karhoff (6 TFL) for double digit tackles for loss for a Stallion defense that scored twice. Jake Williams had a scoop and score from five yards out and Kaleb Johnson had a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown. Ryan Bangert converted two field goals (30, 40) as the Stallions moved to 2-0.
Where Are They Now? - Sam Borghese '11
Week 2
Sam
BORGHESE
2007-2010
The second edition of “Where Are They Now” for the 2025 season, presented by Ben Aucoin, State Farm Agent, is Sam Borghese ‘11!
As a senior in 2010, Borghese earned Third Team All-Ohio honors as a tight end after leading the Stallions in receiving with 353 yards on 17 catches in the regular season. He was also a starting linebacker for a Stallion Team that qualified for the playoffs for the 16th consecutive season.
The member of the 2009 State Runner-up Team resides in Sacramento with his wife and their 15-month old Casen.
Click here to hear Sam share about his Stallion playing days, growing up idolizing the team and attending nearly every home game since he was 7, and how it was truly an honor to wear the purple and white…
A special thanks to State Farm Agent and SFD Assistant Coach Ben Aucoin for sponsoring this series once again!
DeSales 14, Olentangy Berlin 13
DeSales edged Olentangy Berlin 14-13, thanks to a one-yard rushing touchdown by Jonathan Brown on 4th and goal from the one yard line with 4:45 remaining in the game. Brown, who finished with a game-high 81 all-purpose yards, capped-off 11 play, 66 yard go-ahead scoring drive.
The Stallion Defense held Berlin to 110 total yards, including 68 yards rushing on 29 attempts (2.3 per) and improved to 1-0 on the season.
This Date in SFD Football History (8/22/03)
Today we go back to August 22, 2003!
The Stallion Defense stood tall in the 2003 open in a 19-0 win against Worthington Kilbourne as the Purple and White held the Wolves to 67 total yards. Austin Addington led the way defensively with 12 tackles and Kevin Randolph had three sacks. Ronnie Smith, Chris Brown, and quarterback Danny Brandenstien each had rushing touchdowns and were part of a rushing attack that ammassed 250 yards rushing. Smith led the way with 70 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
Where Are They Now? - Mekka Don '99
Week 11
Mekka
DON
1998
The first edition of “Where Are They Now” for the 2025 season, presented by Ben Aucoin, State Farm Agent, is Emeka Onyejekwe ’99, aka Mekka Don!
Mekka’s first love was soccer, and he was a member of the 1997 Boys Soccer team at DeSales. After a growth spurt and some encouragement from Coach Bob Jacoby, he decided to join the Stallion Football team and became part of the 1998 State Championship squad. Following his time at DeSales, Mekka joined The Ohio State University’s football program as a preferred walk-on. He graduated from Ohio State Cum Laude in just three years, and later earned his law degree from New York University School of Law.
These days, Mekka Don wears a lot of hats. He’s an entrepreneur, lawyer, hip-hop artist, and brand consultant. Over the years, he’s landed major deals with HBO, ESPN, The Ohio State University, Champs Sports, The Cleveland Browns, The Big Ten Network, and more.
Recently, he performed his hit song “Buckle Up” nationally on Fox Big Noon Kickoff. Building on that momentum, he released a documentary, “Buckle Up: The Soundtrack of Champions,” along with a book, “Buckle Up: The Playbook: 5 Winning Plays for Go-Getters,” written to inspire leaders.
Today, Mekka Don serves as the Executive Vice President of CB Tech, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, where he lives with his wife and their two children.
Click here to hear about Mekka’s playing days as a Stallion…
A special thanks to State Farm Agent and SFD Assistant Coach Ben Aucoin for sponsoring this series once again!
