There was a ton of mojo in Centerville heading into last fall. The Elks had won the schools first regional championship in 33 years (third in school history) in 2024. By mid-season 2025 all of that magic had dissipated as the team fell to 0-5 and would go on to miss the playoffs and suffer their first losing campaign since 2019.
Big plays and untimely turnovers in opponents were difficult to overcome last season. Centerville gave up five touchdown runs of 40 yards or more and six touchdown receptions of 30-plus yards. The Elks were also -6 in turnover ratio (only 11 takeaways). Doing all the little things and paying attention to detail will correct those deficiencies.
A physically gifted Centerville defense has a chance to be very special. Up front, Chidubem Chukwu, Levi Anderson and the hard-nosed anchor of the d-line Jay Holbert will put relentless pressure on opposing backfields. Chukwu, an edge rusher has exceptional length and gets off the line with an eruptive fervor. Linebacker AJ Taylor is good in space and always finds himself around the ball. In the secondary, Ziere Alston is a playmaker with elite athleticism while classmate Soren Vitas brings high energy to the unit.
On offense, there are a myriad of unproven players at the skill positions. They are going to get their chance to prove that they are ready for Friday nights but that doesn’t bother head coach John Puckett. “We have the personnel to spread defenses out with athletes. New quarterback Bronson Weng has a big time arm and can release a pass from any angle. He will be targeting a group of “green” receivers that includes Antonio Sanders who has game-breaking speed, the explosive Isaiah Thompson and the 6-foot-5 Sam Keely, a matchup nightmare for foes with his great frame. Puckett does worry about the Elks lack of size along the o-line. He will look to dependable seniors Connor Berner and Wyatt Richards to lead by example in the trenches.
How this Centerville team responds to its past adversity will be one of the great story lines to follow in the Gem City come August. The Elks seniors were sophomores on Centerville’s regional title squad and have lived the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in their careers. They have been the hunters and the hunted. How their legacy plays out will depend on their hunger and determination if they are to sit atop the mountain once again.
Division I, Region 2
2025 RECORD: 3-7, 3-4 GWOC
COACH: John Puckett (3-7 at Centerville, one years; 13-28 overall, four years)
HONOR ROLL
Ziere Alston, Sr, CB, 5-11/185
Offers from: Wisconsin, Eastern Michigan, Kent State & Austin Peay
2025 Honors: First Team All-GWOC (for a second straight season)
2025 Stats: 203 KRYs, 17 Tkls, 2.0 sacks, 3.0 TFLs, 1 FF, 1 FR & 3 PDs
Career Stats: 4 RuYds, 1 RuTD, 2 rec., 36 ReYds, 315 KRYs, 1 KRTD, 368 APYds, 76 Tkls, 4.0 sacks, 5.5 TFLs, 2 FFa, 2 FRs, 7 PDs, 2 Ints & 13 IRYs
Connor Berner, Sr, OL, 6-3/ 235
2025 Honors: First Team All-GWOC
AJ Taylor, Sr, LB, 6-0/200
2025 Honors: Second Team All-GWOC
2025 Stats: 69 Tkls, 5.5 sacks, 15.5 TFLs, 1 FF & 1 FR
OTHER RETURNEES
Soren Vitas, Sr, DB, 6-0/201
2025 Stats: 6G, 21 Tkls, 1.0 sacks, 2.0 TFLs & 1 PD
Career Stats: 18 rec., 169 ReYds, 1 ReTD, 120 KRYs, 25 Tkls, 1.0 sacks, 2.0 TFLs & 1 PD
Jay Holbert, Sr, DL, 5-11/260
2025 Stats: 25 Tkls, 1.5 sacks, 8.0 TFLs & 1 FF
Career Stats: 37 Tkls, 1.5 sacks, 11.0 TFLs & 1 FFs
Wyatt Richards, Sr, OL, 6-3, 265
Levi Anderson, Jr, DL, 6-4, 230
2025 Stats: 32 Tkls, 2.0 sacks & 4.0 TFLs
Chidubem Chukwu, Jr, DE, 6-5/210
2025 Stats: 5G, 9 Tkls & 2.5 TFLs
Antonio Sanders, Jr, WR, 5-9/160
2025 Stats: 4 rec., 33 ReYds, 24 KRYs & 5 Tkls
NEWCOMERS
Isaiah Thompson, Jr, WR, 5-9/160
Sam Keeley, Sr, TE, 6-5/ 205
Bronson Weng, Jr, QB, 6-1/ 180
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)
2026 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/21/26 – at Lakota East (8-4 in 2025) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/28/26 – ST. XAVIER (11-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/04/26 – CARMEL (IN)(9-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/11/26 – at Fairmont (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/18/26 – SPRINGFIELD (8-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/25/26 – at Beavercreek (4-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/02/26 – at Miamisburg (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/09/26 – NORTHMONT (0-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/16/26 – at Springboro (7-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/23/26 – WAYNE (9-5)– 7:00 PM
