Expectations remain the same for Brookville even with new faces in several spots.
Jay Fullenkamp steps in as the new head coach, replacing Mike Hetrick who retired after 25 seasons. A Centerville grad and an assistant on staff for several seasons, he’ll be tasked with helping the Blue Devils achieve its 10th consecutive winning record.
“[Mike] laid the foundation for me to just kind of take over after being part of it all here,” Fullenkamp said. “The boys know what to expect. We’ve had all our other coaches back. … The transition’s been pretty good and I credit everybody around me for making that possible.”
Brookville has also achieved at least one playoff win in each of the past four seasons. Gabe Poynter-Kelly, a senior lineman, said that’s something each class sees on the walls and as they come through they want to help extend the streak.
“We definitely take a lot of pride around it here. We haven’t had a losing season in a long time and we strive to keep that going.”
Carson Collins, looking to step in a leadership role as a junior, said though there are many new faces in different roles, the overall intensity seems to be a stable presence.
“There’s a lot of positivity,” he said. “The energy’s good and to watch it out here every day, love it with these guys.”
Brookville’s schedule is front-loaded with road games and ends with consecutive matchups against the SWBL division champs from last year — Valley View and Franklin.
The Blue Devils hope to be battle tested by that point and keep the overall success running.
“This group’s not afraid to work. They’re not afraid to get their butt chewed a little bit,” Fullenkamp said. “They know it’s part of the process and it’s part of getting better. This group of boys have been great putting their trust in us.”
Brookville Blue Devils
2025 Record: 10-2 (5-1 SWBL Buckeye, 2nd), Division V regional quarterfinalist
Coach: Jay Fullenkamp (1st year, 0-0)
League: SWBL Buckeye
Need to know: Brookville has three seasons of 10-plus wins in the previous four seasons, but last won a SWBL title in 2015.
Players to watch (2025 statistics)
Lucas Chambers, DB, 5-11, 165, jr. (14TKL, 1INT, 1TD, 1PB)
Carson Collins, QB, 6-1, 160, jr. (5/7, 73YDS, 2TD, 3REC, 20YDS)
Ike McSurley, RB, so. (13ATT, 47YDS, 1TD)
Gabe Poynter-Kelly, DL, 6-2, 250, jr. (33TKL, 4TFL)
Brock Price, OL, 6-1, 280, jr.,
Jayden Resor, QB, 5-11, 160, sr. (33/79, 534YDS, 4TD, 6INT)
Blake Sprada, LB, 5-10, 160, jr. (27TKL, 0.5TFL, 1SACK)
Israel Stegner, LB, 5-10, 195, jr. (46TKL, 5.5TFL, 3.5SACKS, 1FR, 2PB)
Schedule
Aug. 21 - at Parkway
Aug. 28 - Shawnee
Sept. 4 - at Northridge
Sept. 11 - at Waynesville
Sept. 18 - Madison
Sept. 25 - at Carlisle
Oct. 2 - Oakwood
Oct. 9 - at Eaton
Oct. 16 - Valley View
Oct. 23 - Franklin