2025 Snapshot: Centerville

Former defensive coordinator John Puckett takes over as the new head coach at Centerville. He inherits 12 starters from a team that won the program’s third regional title and first in 30 years, last fall. The Elks appear to be equipped for another deep run in the playoffs.

“We have excellent senior leadership. On offense, we have a physical run game. Defensively, we have athleticism and are physical versus the run,” Puckett states.

The Centerville skills players are no strangers to  the end zone. The Elks return a nucleus that accounted for 91% of the team’s offensive touchdowns (48 of 53 TDs) in 2024. The rushing attack brings back players who accounted for 99% of the team’s rushing yards. Parker Johnson and Shane Cole were responsible for 86% of those yards on the ground.

On defense Puckett’s squad has to address inexperience issues. “We are young in our secondary and on the defensive line.” The unit will build on the work it did during the Elks nine-game winning streak before falling to Moeller in the state semifinals last season. In that span, Centerville did not allow more than 14 points in any of those victories while giving up just 8.7 points per game.

Having been through the wars and the effort it takes for success should be advantageous for the nucleus that returns for the Elks. They are going to need that veteran presence to get them through a schedule that does them no favors in the first half of 2025. Centerville went 2-3 against those same teams before getting red-hot a year ago. It wouldn’t be surprising if a similar scenario played itself out once again in the school’s quest for back-to-back regional titles.

Division I, Region 2
2024 RECORD: 11-4, 6-1 GWOC
COACH: John Puckett (0-0 at Centerville, first year; 10-21 overall, three years)

HONOR ROLL
Shane Cole, Sr, QB – A tough and competitive, natural leader. Stats don’t always measure a player’s value to his team and Cole is one of those guys. In his first year as a starter he threw for 1,460 yards, ran for 857 yards and accounted for 23 touchdowns (13 pass, 10 rush). Those efforts earned Cole OPSMA Division I Honorable Mention All-Southwest District and TriState Football Dayton Offensive Player of the Year Finalist accolades.

Parker Johnson, Sr, RB – The GWOC’s leader in rushing yards and touchdowns scored returns for an encore. Johnson runs tough, has good vision, a great burst to daylight and a nose for the end zone. He finished 2024 with 1,332 yards and 26 touchdowns (25 rush, one rec) on his way to being named OPSMA Division I Honorable Mention All-Southwest District and First Team All-GWOC.

Centerville RB Parker Johnson (photo by Shelby Frieszell/TriStateFootball.com)

Ziere Alston, Jr, CB – A rising star, Alston is a physical on the line cover guy, with excellent acceleration to the ball. He is a very physical tackler and a great blitzer as well. As a sophomore he was named OPSMA Division I Honorable Mention All-Southwest District and First Team All-GWOC after recording 59 tackles, 2.0 sacks, four pass breakups and three takeaways (two INTs, one FR). 

Luke Mullinger, Sr, LB – tremendous leader who has great instincts. Mullinger plays with a relentless effort to the ball and is a physical tackler and finisher. He earned Second Team All-GWOC honors after tallying 97 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for losses, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as a junior.

Ryan Swanson, Sr, WR – A competitive, tough leader who fights on every rep. Swanson was named Second Team All-GWOC after reeling in 38 catches for 431 yards and three scores last fall.

Brady Seeley, Sr, DL – He’s that guy, the one who is a vocal leader, that has a great motor and comes off the snap with a violent demeanor. Seeley was in on 46 tackles, had 9.0 sacks, fumble recovery and two pass breakups on his way to Special Mention All-GWOC honors as a junior.

Centerville DL Brady Seeley (photo by Shelby Frieszell/TriStateFootball.com)

OTHER RETURNEES
Quincy Capogna, Sr, WR – Posses excellent body control and is a deep threat with great ball skills. Capogna has deceiving speed which makes him very dangerous after the catch. He has 56 receptions, 599 yards receiving and five touchdown catches in his career.

Owen Hansbury, Sr, OL –  The anchor of the offensive line, the 6-foot-2, 260-pound Hansbury missed most of last season due to injury. He is a lineman who has great get off and punch then finishes blocks well.

Centerville OL Owen Hansbury (photo by Shelby Frieszell/TriStateFootball.com)

Jacob Buhler, Sr, DB – A good blitzer and excellent tackler in space who has the speed to cover receivers in the slot. Buhler recorded 60 tackles, had 6.5 tackles for losses, a fumble recovery and five pass breakups as a junior.

NEWCOMER
Julian Hill, So, DB – A bright future is ahead for this sophomore. Hill is an excellent athlete, with good ball skills.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(21 appearances, 18-21) – 2024 (Regional Champion), 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2017, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 1999, 1998, 1993, 1991 (State Runner-up), 1986, 1984 (Regional Champion)

2025 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/22/25 – LAKOTA EAST (8-4 in 2024) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/29/25 – at St. Xavier (10-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/05/25 – at Carmel (IN) (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/12/25 – FAIRMONT (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/19/25 – at Springfield (6-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/26/25 – BEAVERCREEK (3-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/03/25 – MIAMISBURG (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/10/25 – at Northmont (2-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/17/25 – SPRINGBORO (7-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/24/25 – at Wayne (8-4) – 7:00 PM

Related Posts

• 
  2025 Snapshot: Conner
• 
  2025 Snapshot: North Decatur
• 
  2025 Schedule Sneak Peek: Elder

You must be logged in to post a comment Login