By Kyle Nagel, Dayton Daily News Staff Writer 1:44 AM Saturday, September 24, 2011

SPRINGBORO — As pumped up as anyone in his Centerville High School football locker room, coach Ron Ullery wore one of the most noticeable reminders about that excitement afterward.

A walking boot.

“I kind of bounded out on the field,” Ullery said after the Elks whipped Springboro 55-17 on Friday night of his Achilles tendon injury that required the boot on his left leg.

“I took a hard step on the field, and it felt like somebody kicked me right in the heel.”

Now Ullery and the Elks hope an improved performance can kick-start the second half of their season. In a matchup of big-school teams desperate for wins, Centerville rushed for 443 yards and recorded seven sacks. They also beat a team from the United States for the first time this season, improving to 2-3.

Centerville entered with losses against Elder, Indianapolis Cathedral (winners of three of the past five Class 4A Indiana state titles) and Cleveland St. Ignatius. The Elks did beat a visiting Canadian team, but they were just happy to be playing here.

After the 27-8 St. Ignatius loss last Saturday in Cleveland, Ullery said his team was “embarrassed,” particularly on the offensive and defensive lines.

The offensive line responded in a big way.

“It all started Tuesday at practice,” said Benny McGowan, the Michigan State-committed Elks lineman. “We were physical, flying all over the field. It was probably our best day of practice of the year.”

It carried over to Friday, extending Springboro’s misery. The Panthers, who had positive vibes entering the season, dropped to 0-5 with losses against teams that were a combined 14-6 entering Friday night.

A member of Division I since 2007, with D-II playoff appearances in 2005 and ’06 before that, Springboro is still adjusting to the big-school division. Coach Ryan Wilhite said earlier this week that trying to make a dent in D-I, Region 4 has matched the challenge the Panthers expected.

They showed progress last season, reaching 13th in the Harbin points rankings with a 7-3 record. But with an injury-depleted and struggling defense, Springboro has allowed an average of 43.6 points per game this season.

Centerville was happy to take advantage on Friday, scoring easily on the first possession before allowing a Springboro field goal. The Panthers then forced a Centerville punt, but they fumbled the return, and the Elks scored to make it 14-3 early in the second quarter.

Springboro then fumbled the ensuing kickoff return, and Centerville scored again. In all, the Elks reached the end zone on eight of their 10 possessions, and the last of those ended with a kneel-down at the Panthers’ 2-yard line.

Afterward, Ullery slowly walked to the locker room, maneuvering with his boot, a reminder of his enthusiastic celebration.

“You can’t keep Coach Ullery down,” McGowan said.

The Elks hope the same for their entire team.