2008
Record: 13-1
Head Coach: Ryan Wiggins
Assistant Coaches: Tim Bahen, Brian Cromwell, Matt Bendt, Mike Delfino, Tom Neubert, Rye D'Orazio, Guido Ricevuto, Jason Wiggins, Shawn Papp
2008 Regular Season
Lima Shawnee, W 28-0
@ Toledo St. John’s, W 31-17
New Albany, W 28-7
@ Cin. Anderson, W 38-17
@ Findlay, W 38-7
St. Charles, W 20-10
Bishop Watterson, W 21-17
Erie Prep (PA), W 41-21
Cincinnati LaSalle, W 31-21
@ Cle. Benedictine, W 35-21
2008 CCL Games
The offensive line (pictured from L to R) of Alex Vance (60), Josh Richmond (65), Jake Smith (78), Greg Dolcich (57) and Matt Ray (74) helped pave the way for a big 2nd half by Josh Kusan (photo credit - Barb Dougherty)
DeSales (5-0, 0-0) vs. St. Charles (3-2, 0-0)
Date: September 26, 2008
Result: DeSales 20, St. Charles 10
St. Charles took a 10-7 lead into the 4th quarter, but the Stallions outscored the Cardinals 13-0 in the final frame for the win. Josh Kusan had a huge 2nd half to lead DeSales and finished with 170 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns. Kusan ran for 158 yards in the second half. Senior quarterback Thomas Gentile threw for 91 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 90 yards for the Purple and White.
From "Pouring Purple '08", view the highlights of the 2008 game against Columbus St. Charles
Quarterback Thomas Gentile (14) targets Ike Ariguzo (4) against Watterson (photo credit - Barb Dougherty)
DeSales (6-0, 1-0) vs. Bishop Watterson (4-2, 0-0)
Date: October 3, 2008
Result: DeSales 21, Bishop Watterson 17
DeSales successfully defended their 2007 CCL crown by defeating Watterson in come-from-behind fashion at Columbus Crew Stadium. After trailing 10-0 at halftime, the Stallions were fueled by a 42-yard run by Josh Kusan and the Thomas Gentile - Ike Ariguzo connection. Early in the 3rd quarter, Kusan’s big run help set up the a Gentile 2-yard touchdown pass to Ariguzo. The two seniors would hook up 6 times for 80 yards, most of it coming in the 2nd half. Junior running back Adam Griffin gave the Stallions the lead with a 22-yard run late in the 4th quarter. However, Watterson mounted a drive and took it deep into DeSales territory until two-way player Kusan intercepted a Pat Nester pass to seal it.
Bishop Watterson hosted DeSales at Columbus Crew Stadium on October 3, 2008. The Eagles led 10-0 at the half, but the Stallions outscored Watterson 21-7 in the second half to capture their 2nd straight CCL championship.
The Stallions take the field in Mansfield before the Region 7 Final (photo credit - Dave Liggett)
2008 Regional Final
Division-II Region 7 Final
#1 DeSales (12-0) vs. #2 Louisville (12-0)
Location: Arlin Field, Mansfield
Date: November 14, 2008
Result: DeSales 38, Louisville 21
It was a much anticipated rematch of the 2007 Regional Final between DeSales and Louisville, the state’s top two teams in Division-II. Unlike the ’07 game, when the Stallions fell behind 19-0 in the first half, it was DeSales’ turn to grab the early lead. Josh Kusan scored a pair of 1st quarter rushing touchdowns (4, 33), giving the Purple and White a 14-0 cushion. Up 17-0, after a 22-yard field goal by Kyle Nugent, which was set up by an Adam Griffin interception, Louisville stormed back with two 2nd quarter scores to make it 17-14. The Stallions responded, near the end of the half, with an 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive, after Thomas Gentile connected with Ike Ariguzo from 10 yards out. In the 2nd half, Louisville, the state runner-up in 2007, had no answer for the Stallion ground attack. DeSales finished with 356 yards rushing, led by Josh Kusan’s 211 yards and 3 touchdowns. Adam Griffin and Thomas Gentile contributed with a combined 152 rushing yards. The Stallions defense shut down the Leopards on the ground, holding Louisville to -13 yards rushing. Griffin also intercepted two passes from Neal Seaman, who is one of five quarterbacks in Stark County to throw for over 5,000 yards in a career.
Josh Kusan (2) rushed for a career-high 211 yards to help the Stallions win the 2008 Region 7 Championship (photo credit - Dave Liggett)
Watch the highlights of the 2008 Regional Final vs. Louisville
2008 Quick Facts
It was the first times since the 1994-1995 seasons, that the Stallions had consecutive undefeated regular seasons
The Stallions captured their 19th league title
DeSales finished as the top seed in Region 7, Division-I!
The Stallions were ranked 1st in the final Division-II AP Poll, for the 2nd season in a row (school record)
DeSales won their 9th Regional Championship by avenging a loss to Louisville, a team the Stallions lost in the 2007 Region Final
DeSales defeated Watterson in the Regional Quarterfinals 20-17, giving the Stallions their first postseason win over the Eagles (previously 0-4)
The Stallions earned a berth in the Regional Championship by defeating Marion-Franklin 31-23
DeSales lost to Cincinnati Anderson 14-10 in the State Semfinal
Head Coach Ryan Wiggins moved to 20-0 in regular season play at DeSales
Josh Kusan (LB) and Jake Smith (OL) were named 1st-Team All-Ohio
Defensive Ends Davon Custis and Chris Rock were each named Honorable Mention All-Ohio after combining for 19 sacks
Five starters from the 2008 team, committed to Big Ten schools: Davon Custis (Northwestern), Chi Chi Ariguzo (Northwestern), Travis Jackson (Michigan State), Adam Griffin (Ohio State) and Chris Rock (Michigan)
The Stallions returned six starters off of the 2007 Regional Finalist team