The second Wednesday in November (Today!) and the first Wednesday in February every school year are highly anticipated. Why? Those are the National Signing Days for college-bound athletes.

The first signing day – for basketball, baseball, softball, tennis, swimming, wrestling, golf, bowling, gymnastics, hockey and volleyball – is Nov. 9.

The second – for Football, soccer, track and field, cross country and field hockey – is Feb. 8.

If you’re signing with a school (or have verbally committed) we want to know about it.

We are be putting together a comprehensive list of all Ohio athletes headed to college so please tell us where you are going.

We will update the list as we get info.

To submit information, email your name, high school, sport, position and college destination to: efrantz@jjhuddle.com.

Congrats and good luck this year.

*Miami Valley commits in RED

2012 SENIOR COLLEGE COMMITMENTS

FOOTBALL
Bryson Albright, LB, St. Xavier (Miami, OH)
Austin Appleby, QB, North Canton Hoover (Purdue)
Warren Ball Jr., RB, Columbus DeSales (Ohio State)
Steve Bell, OL, Indian Hill (Ball State)
Jacob Bennett, OL, Lebanon (Bowling Green)
Devan Bogard, DB, Glenville (Ohio State)
Joe Bolden, LB, Colerain (Michigan)
Jacoby Boren, OL, Pickerington Central (Ohio State)
Michael Brown, DL, Sandusky (Eastern Michigan)
Pharaoh Brown, TE, Brush (Michigan)
Kirkland Bryant, DB, St.. Edward (Eastern Michigan)
Dalton Chapman, OL, Grove City (Bowling Green)
Brandyn Cook, OL, St. Xavier (Pittsburgh)
Jhalil-Nashid Croley, LB, Princeton (Bowling Green)
Kyle Crum, WR, Minerva (Kent State)
Nick Custer, OL, Elder (Miami, OH)
Demitrious Davis, WR, Fitch (Pittsburgh)
Chris Davis, ATH, Fitch (Pittsburgh)
Terry Davis, DL, Wyoming (North Carolina State)
Taylor Decker, OL, Vandalia Butler (Notre Dame)
Kyle Dodson, OL, Cleveland Heights (Wisconsin)
Josh Dooley, LB, Mason (Miami, OH)
Brionte Dunn, RB, GlenOak (Ohio State)
Miles Eaton, OL, Vandalia-Butler (Ball State)
Michael Ebert, DE, Perkins (Toledo)
Jermaine Edmondson, DB, Canton McKinley (Michigan State)
Patrick Elflein, OL, Pickerington North (Ohio State)
Frank Epitropoulos, ATH, Upper Arlington (Ohio State)
Brice Fackler, DB, Kenton (Kent State)
Dawson Fletcher, ATH, Lakota West (Indiana)
Marcus Foster, ATH, Troy (Cincinnati)
Tad France, OL, Elyria (Kent State)
Allen Gant, DB, Sylvania Southview (Michigan)
Austin Gearing, QB, Fenwick (Miami, OH)
Nathan Gerbus, LB, St. Xavier (Miami, OH)
Sam Grant, TE, St. Edward (Boston College)
Christian Hauber, LB, Kirtland (Air Force)
James Henry, OL, Upper Arlington (Toledo)
Zach Higgins, OL, Marlington (Michigan State)
Myles Hilliard, DE, Bedford (Pittsburgh)
Kevin Houchins Jr,, DB, Brush (Louisville)
Jordan Italiano, ATH, Canfield (Kent State)
Andre Jones, FS, Colerain (Cincinnati)
Evan Jones, TE, Ridgewood (Michigan State)
Kyle Kalis, OL, St. Edward (Michigan)
Tanner Kearns, TE, Lexington (Indiana)
Kent Kern, LB, Toledo St. John’s (Miami, OH)
Jake Kincaid, LB, Pickerington Central (Kent State)
TC Klusman, OL, Elder (Louisville)
Greg Kuhar, DL, St. Edward (Northwestern)
Kurt Laseak, LB, Mentor (Ohio)
Ryan Leahy, OL, Cincinnati LaSalle (Cincinnati)
LaTroy Lewis, DE, Akron Hoban (Tennessee)
Roger Lewis, WR, Pickerington Central (Ohio State)
Izaah Lunsford, DL, Cincinnati Shroeder (Bowling Green)
William Mahone, RB, Fitch (Notre Dame)
Ross Martin, K, Walsh Jesuit (Duke)
Daryan Martin, ATH, Princeton (Akron)
Jay Mastin, DB, Centerville (Miami, OH)
Tony Matteo, OL, Akron Manchester (West Virginia)
Maty Mauk, QB, Kenton (Missouri)
Benny McGowan, OL, Centerville (Michigan State)
Greg McMullen, DE, Akron Hoban (Nebraska)
Anthony Melchiori, K, Aurora (Kent State)
Collin Michael, QB, Lexington (Buffalo)
Armani Miller, WR, Wayne (Toledo)
Najee Murray, DB, Steubenville (Ohio State)
Zach Myers, OL, Miamisburg (Kentucky)
Alex Nielsen, OL, Elyria Catholic (Kent State)
Storm Norton, OL, Whitmer (Toledo)
Jason O’Bryan, DB, Madison (Kent State)
Tyler O’Connor, QB, Lima Central Catholic (Michigan State)
Adam Pankey, DL, Hamilton (Pitt)
Joshua Perry, LB, Olentangy (Ohio State)
Sevon Pitman, DE, Canton McKinley (Michigan State)
Kenton Playko, OL, Olentangy (Northwestern)
Tyvis Powell, DB, Bedford (Ohio State)
Cody Quinn, DB, Middletown (Illinois)
Colin Reardon, QB, Poland (Miami, OH)
Marc Remy, RB, North Olmsted (Toledo)
Darryl Render, DL, St. Edward (Pittsburgh)
Kaleb Ringer, LB, Northmont (Michigan)
Luke Roberts, LB, Lancaster (Ohio State)
Jimmy Rousher, LB, Canfield (Miami, OH)
Craig Runyan, TE, Marysville (Toledo)
Mason Schreck, QB, Medina (Buffalo)
Sebastian Smith, DB, Pickerington Central (Indiana)
Joseph Spencer, OL, Mason (Illinois)
Caleb Stacey, OL. Oak Hills (Michigan)
Anthony Stanko, OL, Howland (Penn State)
Tom Strobel, DL, Mentor (Michigan)
Mike Svetina, RB, St. Ignatius (Miami, OH)
Blake Thomas, TE, St. Ignatius (Ohio State)
Alex Todd, OL, Streetsboro (Indiana)
Stewart Turner, DB, Orrville (Ball State)
Nick Wargo, QB, Walsh Jesuit (Youngstown State)
Troy Watson, OL, Aurora (Ohio)
Jamire Westbrook, RB, Kings (Miami, OH)
A.J. Williams, OL, Sycamore (Michigan)
Kyle Williamson, OL, Maderia (Cincinnati)
Cameron Wilson, DB, Dublin Jerome (Iowa)
Jarrod Wilson, DB, Akron Buchtel (Michigan)
Aaron Woosley, DL, Lancaster (Ball State)
Chris Wormley, DL, Whitmer (Michigan)
Carlutorbantu Zamaro, DL, Brush (Ball State)

MIDDLETOWN — Their backs against the playoff wall, Centerville High School’s football team went into full-bore overdrive the last six weeks.

The result was a stunning display of an offense that couldn’t be stopped backed by a mostly shutdown defense.

“We had the mind-set where we pretty much had to win out to be where we were at,” running back Dan McCoy said. “We set our eyes on the prize and went after it and got it. We had full expectations of seeing how far that we could get in these (playoff) rounds.”

The Elks’ playoff trail abruptly ended Saturday night with a crushing 28-10 setback to host Middletown at Barnitz Stadium.

Centerville (7-4) was the only area Division I team to crack the Region 4 field. Combined with Troy’s 21-20 overtime loss at Upper Arlington in Region 3, the area is out of D-I teams after the first week of the postseason.

The eighth-seeded Elks had scored 49 or more points five times in their six-game winning streak. But all those offensive fireworks were extinguished by a determined Middies defense. The Elks’ ground game that had consistently
averaged more than 400 yards produced just 86 on 51 carries.

“They just kept stopping us,” junior QB Jimmy Brooks said. “They were really skilled.”

None more so than junior QB Jalin Marshall. A national recruit, Marshall speared Zach Edwards with touchdown strikes of 27 and 12 yards. Marshall also dashed 72 yards through and around the Elks’ defense. That accounted for a good chunk of his game-high 135 yards rushing.

“You’re playing with fire with him,” said Centerville coach Ron Ullery. “He’s explosive. It’s tough to contain him 10 out of 10 plays.”

Centerville led 3-0 on a 26-yard field goal by Jason Kaczala. The Elks were in good position to pile on early after recovering Middies’ fumbles on their next two possessions. But Centerville couldn’t take advantage and top-seeded Middletown (10-1) scored 28 unanswered points.

“I’ve been in that situation in terms where you’re playing for your playoff life from Week 4 on,” said first-year Middletown coach Troy Everhart, who previously led Winton Woods to a state title. “When you get there it’s like, wow, you’re there. And then everything goes against you.”

The regular season is over and so is another season of the MVP Fab 5 Football Rankings. Here’s a look at the previous winners and this year’s top teams…

Fab 5 Poll Champions:

Division I
2009: Wayne
2010: Wayne
2011: Centerville

Division II
2009: Trotwood-Madison
2010: Trotwood-Madison
2011: Trotwood-Madison

Division III
2009: Graham
2010: Eaton
2011: Alter

Division IV
2009: Alter
2010: Clinton-Massie
2011: Waynesville

Division V
2009: Coldwater
2010: Lima Central Catholic
2011: Lima Central Catholic

Division VI
2009: Delphos St. John’s
2010: Delphos St. John’s
2011: Delphos St. John’s

FINAL 2009 FAB 5 RANKINGS

FINAL 2010 FAB 5 RANKINGS

FINAL 2011 FAB 5 RANKINGS (below)

Division I

1. Centerville (7-3)
Since starting 1-3, the Elks have won six straight in decisive fashion. In wins over Springboro, Fairmont, Northmont, Wayne, Springfield and Beavercreek, Centerville is averaging 53 points and 473 rushing yards per game. The Elks won the Greater Western Ohio Conference Central Division title and are a No. 8 seed in the playoffs. They’ll play at Middletown in the regional quarterfinals.
Previous: 1

2. Troy (8-2)
The Trojans ended the regular season with a 53-6 win over Sidney and now turn their attention to the region 3 playoffs and a meeting with host Upper Arlington (8-2).
Previous: 2

3. Wayne (6-4)
The Warriors closed the regular season with a 52-42 win over Fairmont. Wayne, which racked up 561 total yards, was led by junior QB Javon Harrison 923 carries, 197 yards, four TDs) and senior RB Jalen Mack (19 carries, 229 yards, two TDs). Looking for next year’s preseason No. 1? Wayne will be it.
Previous: 4

4. Lebanon (7-3)
The Warriors wrapped the season with a four-game win streak and a share of the GWOC South title. Lebanon racked up 577 yards of offense and beat archrival Springboro 46-31 in the season finale. Senior RB Aaron Abbott closed his career with 351 yards and five TDs on 46 carries against the Panthers.

Previous: 5

5. Beavercreek (6-4)
Even though Creek closed the regular season with a 63-7 loss to Centerville, the season was a memorable one. Creek notched just its second winning season in 22 years and finished with a winning record in the GWOC Central (3-2) for the first time ever.
Previous: 3

DROPPED OUT: None

BEST OF THE REST: Fairborn (6-4)

HUBER HEIGHTS — In a statement win over the Wayne Warriors on Friday night, the Centerville Elks made one thing clear: The Greater Western Ohio Conference Central Division title runs through Centerville.

And then some.

The Elks racked up 619 yards rushing — many on blasts up the middle — to deliver a 63-35 win at Wayne’s Good Samaritan Field at Heidkamp Stadium.

The Warriors’ defense entered the game allowing just 204.6 rushing yards per game.

Elks senior Chris Barr nearly had that himself, rushing 12 times for 199 yards with touchdown runs of 54, 64, 48 and 3 yards.

Kyle Wenning added 174 yards and four TDs and quarterback Jimmy Brooks had 126 yards rushing as the teams combined for 1,123 yards.

The win put Centerville (5-3) in sole possession of first in the Central Division at 3-0.

“It’s on the linemen opening up holes,” Barr said of his success Friday night. “… All we can do right now is win out and see where the cards might fall for the playoffs.”

The Elks entered the game No. 14 in the Division I, Region 4 computer points. They gave their playoff hopes a boost, while all but dimming their rivals’ chances. Wayne (4-4, 2-1 Central) entered at No. 10, just two spots out of a playoff berth.

“I wish we were a little better off record-wise, but I still feel good abour chances,” Centerville coach Ron Ullery said. “How we started, 1-3, yeah I think our guys persevered and there still is a lot to accomplish.”

Centerville led 28-7 with 10:29 left in the second quarter and took a 42-14 lead into halftime behind 374 yards rushing, mostly on untouched runs up the middle.

“I don’t even think we missed tackles,” Wayne coach Jay Minton said of the huge holes.

“Shoot, as old as I am I probably could have run through there. We’ll have to look at film to see what happened. … I don’t have an answer to give you right now.”

Behind quarterback Javon Harrison, the Warriors got as close as 49-28 in the second half.

Harrison hit Armani Miller for touchdown passes of 77 and 76 yards in a two-minute span late in the third quarter.

But the Elks tacked on a couple more scores of their own, on the ground of course.

Centerville offensive line coach George Reinke Jr. said Wayne’s defense was using one middle linebacker to patrol from tackle to tackle, so the Elks ran a blocker at the linebacker to clear space.

It worked.

“If we got one guy in his face we were able to get by him,” Reinke said.

Clayton – Centerville powered its way to 34-7 victory Friday, Oct. 7 to improve to 4-3 overall and 2-0 in the Central Division of the Greater Western Ohio Conference.

The defeat was Northmont’s second consecutive Central Division loss and all but squashed the Thunderbolts hopes of contending for the division title. Northmont fell to 2-5 overall and 0-2 in Central Division play.

The Elks running game powered through Northmont’s defense to amass 360 rushing yards and enabled Centerville to hold the ball for 30 minutes and 14 seconds. Senior quarterback Janson Matthews ran for 133 yards on 24 carries with three touchdowns. Fullbacks Kyle Wenning powered his way to 79 yards on 11 carries and Chris Barr picked up 67 yards on 12 carries and one touchdown.

“Our offensive line is playing well now and they have to in order for us to be successful,” said Centerville Coach Ron Ullery. “With our halfback Dan McCoy out of commission, our fullbacks ran well tonight.”

Junior Jimmy Brooks started at quarterback and completed one pass for 8 yards, but Matthews stepped in and took over.

“Brooks got dinged up a little bit and Matthews did a nice job carrying the load most of the night,” Ullery commented.

Most of the damage inflicted upon Northmont came as a result of Matthews running, but Wenning and Barr also picked up big chunks of yardage when needed.

“Wenning hasn’t gotten a lot of carries this year, but when he does you can tell he’s hungry. He has quick feet,” Ullery added.

The Elks scored just 2:18 into the game on a 23-yard run by Chris Barr. Jason Kaczala added the extra point to give the Elks an early 7-0 lead. That score came as the result of Northmont attempting to catch Centerville off guard with an attempted onside kick on the opening kickoff. The ball traveled too far with Adam Ozio fielding the ball at the Centerville 46 to give the Elks excellent first possession field position.

On Northmont’s first play from scrimmage running back Emery Miliner ripped off a 19 yard gain for a first down at the Thunderbolts’ 45. Cameron Belton passed to Jamal Trammell for eight yards and Miliner picked up a first down at the Elks’ 45. On third and eight Belton got pressure on an attempted pass play and scrambled for another first down at the Elks’ 28. Belton hit tight end Troy Mangen for a six yard gain but on fourth and one the Centerville defense stuffed Miliner for no gain and the Elks took over on downs at their own 19.

Centerville couldn’t sustain a drive and was forced to punt. The ball went out at the Northmont 34 yard line and on first down Belton threw deep down the middle to Trammell. Two Centerville defenders were right in stride with Trammell, but the ball was thrown perfectly and dropped between both defenders and into Trammell’s hands for a first down at the Centerville 21. Miliner got 10 yards for another first down at the 11, but the drive stalled. Northmont attempted a 25 yard field goal, but the kick sailed wide right.

Neither team could get much going on offense until late in the second quarter. Ifeadi Odenigbo and Colton Hale sacked Belton to force a Northmont punt. The 27 yard punt gave the Elks the ball at their own 49 and Centerville took full advantage of the short kick. The Elks drove 51-yards in nine plays with Matthews scoring on a 3-yard run with 1:30 remaining in the first half. Kaczala’s kick was good to boost Centerville’s lead to 14-0.

With less than 30 seconds remaining in the first half the Elks got the ball back on a punt at their 37 yard line. On first down Matthews threw a deep pass and connected with Nick Bozzo for a 44-yard completion to the Thunderbolts’ 19 yard line. Matthews hit Bozzo again for a first and goal at the nine. From there Kaczala kicked a 25-yard field goal to give the Elks a 17-0 halftime lead.

Kaczala added a 33-yard field goal with 5:55 remaining in the third quarter and Matthews scored on a 5-yard run for a 27-0 advantage.

Northmont’s lone score was setup when Mike Hale fumbled a punt and the Thunderbolts recovered the ball at midfield. Two plays later Belton threw another perfect deep pass over the middle to Trammell for a 47-yard touchdown. Joel Anderson’s kick was good to make it 27-7 at the end of the third quarter.

Centerville added another touchdown by driving 62-yards in 13 plays capped by a 5-yard run by Matthews. Kaczala added the point after to make the final score 34-7.

Northmont Coach Lance Schneider attributed his team’s sagging fortunes to a number of factors.

“It’s a lot of things wrong. We have a lot of issues. We are beat up and decimated,” Schneider said. “We have a lot of guys who aren’t normally starters playing because we have so many players that are hurt. Hopefully, the younger guys will learn that the weight room is paramount to our success. They didn’t believe it and now it’s being shown to us on the field. I’ve preached for 12 years that you win games in the weight room. Over the years we’ve beaten teams bigger than us because we were physically stronger. Hopefully we will get back to that. If we don’t, we’re in trouble.”

CEN 7 10 10 7 – 34

NMT 0 0 7 0 – 7

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Qtr: Centerville – Chris Barr 23-yard run. Jason Kaczala kick. 7-0.

2nd Qtr: Centerville – Janson Matthews 3-yard run. Kaczala kick. 14-0

2nd Qtr: Centerville – Kaczala 25-yard field goal. 17-0

3rd Qtr: Centerville – Kaczala 33-yard field goal. 20-0.

3rd Qtr: Centerville – Matthews 5-yard run. Kaczala kick. 27-0.

3rd Qtr: Northmont – Cameron Belton 47-yard pass to Jamal Trammell. Joel Anderson kick. 27-7.

4th Qtr: Centerville – Matthews 5-yard run. Kaczala kick. 34-7.

First Downs: Centerville 24, Northmont 9.

Rushes/yards: Centerville 65-360, Northmont 27-61.

Passing yards: Centerville 63, Northmont 144.

Pass attempts/completions/int: Centerville 7-3-0, Northmont 19-9-0.

Total plays/yards: Centerville 72/423, Northmont 46/205.

Punts/Avg: Centerville 3/27.3, Northmont 6/37.2

Fumbles/Lost: Centerville 1/1, Northmont 0/0.

Penalties/Yards: Centerville 4/30, Northmont 6/60.

Time of Possession: Centerville 30:14, Northmont 17:46.

CENTERVILLE — Jimmy Brooks, Centerville’s starting quarterback, didn’t attempt a pass all game.

Janson Matthews, who alternated each series at QB, didn’t need his arm, either — except to tuck the ball and run.

“We didn’t come into the game thinking we were not going to throw a pass,” Centerville coach Ron Ullery said, “but when you’re getting 10 yards per carry, you tell me who’s dumb enough to stop running.”

The Elks rushed for 502 yards on 51 attempts — nearly a double-digit clip — in rolling to a 49-21 win over visiting Fairmont in the Dayton Daily News Game of the Week on Friday.

Brooks notched touchdown runs of 15 and 29 yards and finished with 92 yards on eight carries. Running back Dan McCoy gained 132 yards on 10 runs, while Chris Barr and Michael Hale each rushed to a pair of scores.

Although they had a goose egg in the pass attempt column (Brooks did drop back once to throw but ended up scrambling for yardage), the Elks’ triple-option wreaked devastation. Centerville scored on all five of its first-half possessions while thundering to a 35-7 lead, registering drives of 65, 49, 80, 63 and 57 yards.

“They do what they do and do it very well, pure and simple. That’s why they’ve had so much success the last 20 years,” second-year Fairmont coach Andy Aracri said. “They’ve created a culture here and that’s what we’re in the process of doing at Fairmont — creating a culture of champions. This is a good measuring stick for us.”

Defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo had two sacks for the Elks (3-3, 1-0 GWOC), and linebacker Jake Replogle had three pass deflections to lead the defense. For Fairmont (2-4, 0-1) quarterback Tom West had TD passes to Bryan Prouty, Deven Gannon and Aaron Abbott. Damon Bahns provided another highlight with a 62-yard run.

Brooks said he didn’t mind not needing to air it out and liked his view from the backfield.

“Our line was pretty much taking care of them,” he said.

Asked if foes should still worry about his arm, he smiled and said, “They should definitely be worried.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

CENTERVILLE — Ron Ullery, a teacher, coach and athletic administrator at Centerville High School for 35 years, will retire as athletic director of the area’s largest high school at the end of the calendar year. He hopes to remain as football coach.

Ullery, a Brookville native who has been part of the Elks coaching staff since 1977 and head coach since 2000, said the timing felt right for the decision. He has served as both football coach and athletic director since 2002.

“I tried to never slight one of the jobs at the expense of the other,” Ullery, 56, said of serving as math teacher then athletic director as well as coach. “I treated them as two separate full-time jobs.”

Superintendent Tom Henderson called Ullery a work horse who has dedicated his career, both in the classroom and on the field, to Centerville High School.

“He’s in the office at 4 (a.m.) or 4:30 in the morning,” Henderson said. “He’s very organized and gets a great deal accomplished.

“I don’t know if there is anyone else around who contributes as much time and energy to the success of the athletic program at Centerville High School as Ron Ullery.”

Ullery’s retirement will be effective Dec. 30. He intends to continue as football coach, but by protocol the position must be posted in the spring for applications, Ullery said.

The Centerville Board of Education approved Ullery’s retirement at its Monday meeting.

Henderson said he and the board should know by the end of this week how they will fill the role of athletic director.

“One option would be to post the position now and move forward and see who all is interested internally and externally,” Henderson said. “Another way would be to offer an interim position (to complete the school year), and then post the job in the spring.”

Henderson said if the district were to post the position now, it would look primarily within the district.

“Most people outside are already under contract and deeply ingrained in their districts,” he said. “If we post it in the spring, we will probably consider both in inside and outside (candidates).”

Henderson said this year Ullery is making around $111,000 as athletic director, due to his professional growth steps and 35 years in the district. The base salary for AD is around $73,000.

As a football coach with more than 10 years of experience, he makes $7,643.

Henderson could not say whether Ullery will return as head football coach.

“The position will be posted, so it’s hard to say right now what direction we’ll go,” he said.

According to updated Ohio High School Athletic Association enrollment figures, which determine divisions by counting students in grades 9-11, Centerville has the state’s fourth-largest count behind No. 1 Mason, No. 2 Fairfield and No. 3 Lakota West. The Elks have 27 varsity programs and about 1,300 sports participants per year.

Ullery, who holds degrees from Bowling Green and the University of Dayton, said he applied for several teaching positions out of Bowling Green in 1977. He joined Centerville during a growth period for the school and served as offensive line coach and offensive coordinator for longtime Elks coach Bob Gregg, who compiled a 219-61 record from 1973-99.

Ullery has a 88-39 record, including 2-3 this season, as head football coach entering Friday night’s home matchup with Fairmont. The Elks have made six playoff appearances in Ullery’s first 11 years as coach, including the past four seasons.

“It’s been 35 years, and I never (felt like) I had a job,” Ullery said. “I always intended to retire when I still loved coming to work, and I do.”

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.