After a win over rival Waterson, Desales sets its sights on Elder

Brad Bohus, Press Box Writer

For most of us Friday is a day to end another week and start a two-day trip of rest and relaxation. This is not true for the Stallions of St. Francis DeSales High school. For the Stallions, Friday is a day of preparation and determination for that night holds the pride and glory affectionately known as Friday Night Football.

With only weeks before the start of the playoffs, hard work is the only means of accomplishment; a shaky 2-2 start saw losses to Cardinal Mooney and Cincinnati Anderson.
Since that defeat to Anderson, the Stallions haven’t lost and last Friday saw Desales get back on track with a nail-biting, CCL clinching win over Bishop Watterson when safety Evan Kendrick intercepted a late-game pass to seal the deal.

Running with the momentum of a three-game winning streak, the Stallions will head down to Cincinnati Elder on Friday.

Led by junior quarterback, Nick Gentile, sophomore slot back Warren Ball Jr. and senior slot back Adam Griffin, DeSales will shoot for the biggest upset of its season against a tough Elder squad.

Gentile, looking to avenge the playoff defeat in the state Final Four last year at the hands of Elder when his brother (Thomas Gentile) was the keeper of the pigskin, will be ready to go at full capacity.

Ball, who did not play against Bishop Watterson due to injury, will be the pivotal factor for the Stallions, hopefully returning the tenacity to the Stallion backfield.

Along with Ball, Griffin, and Gentile, strong appearances from defensive players like Travis Jackson, Kendrick and Chi-Chi Ariguzo may spur the Stallions to a much-needed upset over Elder.

After Friday the Stallions have only two non-conference games against LaSalle on Oct. 23 and Cleveland Benedictine on Oct. 30 to close the regular season.

With the noteworthy pocket presence of Gentile, and the explosive nature of the DeSales backfield, the program is growing into an offensive powerhouse.

While the offense is growing and bathing in potential the defense is another story.
With something of a hole in the line the Stallion rush defense is struggling, allowing 3+ yards per carry this season.

That said, help is on the way.

With new “recruits” enrolling in the next couple of years, a little luck and a lot of practice I predict a state title in sight for the Stallions.

In my opinion, DeSales is one of fastest growing football programs in central Ohio and not too far from the ring.