That would be defensive coordinator John Puckett, former head coach at Vandalia Butler. Ullery asked the question because Puckett’s crew is off to a dominant start this season. The defense held Dublin Coffman to 182 total yards and returned an interception for a touchdown Friday to lead the unbeaten Elks to a 48-14 victory.
“Our defense is awesome,” Ullery said. “They play the way they play because they practice the way they practice. They practice with intentionality and speed and violence. And then a game is just another day for them because they practice so well.”
Linebackers Joseph Jean-Louis and Matt Karpinsky and lineman Cameron Gay led the charge up front against Coffman (1-1) to combine for half of the team’s 10 tackles for loss. And defensive backs Emmanuel Deng, Reggie Powers and Nic Bruder led the effort in the secondary. Last week the defense held Lakota East to 151 yards in a 9-6 victory.
“We don’t ever stop,” Jean-Louis said. “We don’t take plays off. That doesn’t happen for us. Every rep you’ve got to come with your best.”
The most exciting play came in the second quarter when Coffman quarterback Quinn Hart had a pass slip out of his hand into the hands of a surprised Gay, who ran 80 yards for a touchdown on the play all defensive linemen dream about but seldom make.
“We play strong together, and I just happened to be there,” said Gay, a 250-pound senior. “I almost fell down but my teammate (Powers) was there holding me up. I’ve never run that fast.”
Centerville’s offense came to play, too, against a defense that features Will Smith Jr., an Ohio State commitment and the son of former Buckeye great Will Smith. A week after stumbling around a bit the Elks built a 27-0 halftime lead.
After Coffman cut the lead to 27-14 in the third quarter, the Elks broke it open again in the fourth on touchdown runs of 58 and 30 yards by senior Emable Wakilongo. He finished with 173 yards on 23 carries and three touchdowns.
Junior quarterback Drake Wells, starting his second game, completed 17 of 23 passes for 160 yards and a 21-yard touchdown to Sean Cole to close the first half.
“What we’re trying to do right now is figure out our identity,” Ullery said. “What kind of passer he is, what kind of runner he is. But he does a great job, he’s super coachable, has a great attitude, gives great effort. He did a good job making that jump from week one to week two.”
Special teams got into the big-play act, too. Bruder, who caught three passes, put the Elks in good field position with a combined 157 yards in kickoff and punt returns. And he capped the night with a 42-yard punt return for a touchdown.
The Elks are 2-0 and host Gahanna Lincoln (2-0) next week. One more chance to get the defense ready for GWOC play and sharpen the offensive identity.
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