‘He checks every box’: Ben Uhlenhake sets Watterson football’s defense apart from rest
Thursday, October 1, 2026
By Michael Rich
mrichnotwealthy@gmail.com
Bishop Watterson’s Ben Uhlenhake (10) prepares to make a tackle against Cleveland Glenville earlier in the season. Photo: John Hulkenberg
On a defense that has a star player at almost every position, the straw that stirs the drink is senior linebacker Ben Uhlenhake.
The Watterson football team, currently riding a 36-game winning streak, has no shortage of talent. For example, senior defensive lineman Michael Boyle spends most of his time harassing quarterbacks in the backfield.
Still, Uhlenhake’s value can’t be understated.
“Michael is the leader of our program,” 10th-year coach Brian Kennedy said. “Ben is the leader of our defense.”
It’s quite a statement from a coach who has his team’s sights set on a third consecutive state championship.
Uhlenhake, however, is quick to distribute the credit to others.
“He might call me the leader of the defense because I’m the middle linebacker and the middle linebacker is (typically) the leader,” said Uhlenhake, an Ohio University commit. “I’m the one making the calls. We have six captains, but every guy that starts or every guy that plays could be a captain if they wanted.
“But we can’t have 20 captains. It’s easy to lead guys that love the game and are so bought in.”
Boyle, who missed Watterson’s season-opener while he was winning a gold medal for the United States in the U20 World Wrestling Championships Aug. 23 in Bratislava, Slovakia, is putting together an incredible football season since his return.
In the five games since coming back, he leads the Eagles with 18 tackles-for-loss and nine sacks and is third on the team with 56 total tackles.
Carter Bellisari, a Miami (Ohio) recruit, scores a touchdown for Watterson in the Eagles’ win against Cleveland Glenville earlier this season. Photo: John Hulkenberg
So, why would Kennedy make such a statement about his senior linebacker Uhlenhake?
“He makes all our calls,” Kennedy said. “He’s a coach on the field. (He has) a really high football I.Q. Obviously, there’s the physical tools. I mean, his freshman year, he was our starting running back in the (Division III) state championship game. (He’s got) an unbelievable work ethic. It’s all of those things. He checks every box.”
It’s extremely high praise for a defense that’s full of talent. Boyle is committed to wrestle at Ohio State, senior offensive/defensive lineman Jack Shuler (30 tackles, 13 tackles-for-loss, 7 sacks) is committed to Michigan State and senior defensive back/wide receiver Carter Bellisari (14 pass deflections) is committed to Miami (Ohio) and senior wide receiver/defensive back Joe Hayes (13 pass deflections, 2 interceptions) is an Ohio State men’s lacrosse commit.
There’s also senior linebackers Kaden Jones (64 tackles, 4 tackles-for-loss) and Rocco Purcell (42 tackles, 4 tackles-for-loss, 4 pass deflections, 2 blocked punts), who have offers from Division II programs.
That doesn’t include senior offensive lineman Davis Seaman, who is committed to Ohio State.
“They’re all coming from catholic grade schools,” Kennedy said. “They’ve played together or played against each other on travel basketball teams or whatever. Growing up in this group is unique because of how competitive they are.”
It’s a special group that’s held opponents to just 29 points over a 6-0 start. The Eagles have shut out three opponents, including rival DeSales, which they beat 32-0 on Sept. 25 to open Central Catholic League play.
After a bye week, Watterson continues league play at Hartley on Oct. 9.
Watterson’s Jack Schuler. (87), a Michigan State commit, puts pressure on DeSales quarterback RJ Day during the Eagles’ rivalry win at Ohio Dominican this season. Photo: Kevin Lam
Uhlenhake credits his teammates and coaches for the player he’s become. Greg Bellisari, who played linebacker at Ohio State and in the NFL for three seasons, is Uhlenhake’s position coach at Watterson.
“He’s got a lot of immeasurables,” Bellisari said. “It sounds old and cliché, but he’s just got that thing that other kids don’t have.”
When asked to describe those indescribable traits, Bellisari followed up with, “He’s obviously got the physical traits – he can run, he can tackle – he can do all of those things. I think the space between his ears is what really sets him apart from other players.
“I’ve been around football a long time and have seen a lot of great players,” Bellisari said. “What separates him is just the innate ability to understand what’s going on in the field. There’s not a play that happens that he doesn’t know or anticipate.
“And there’s not a call we make that he can’t fix and get us into a better situation for our front seven or even our back end. That’s what really makes him special. He’s elevated the level of our defense.”
While Uhlenhake appreciates his coaches’ high praise, he’s quick to point out that it’s a team effort.
The Eagles are 62-4 over the last five seasons, including their winning streak. Maria Stein Marion Local holds the state’s longest winning streak at 76 games from 2021 to 2025 where it won four consecutive state titles.
Watterson, which won Division III titles in each of the last two years, moved up to Division II this season.
The Eagles are first in Division II, Region 7 ahead of other top state teams Massillon Washington and Big Walnut.
“It’s probably the most fun I’ve had in my four years,” Uhlenhake said. “I just think it goes beyond football. (All of the seniors are) so close. We’re so bound up. We all work so hard together.”
Watterson also depends on Uhlenhake, an Ohio University commit, to run the ball for their powerful offense. Photo: Kevin Lam