Karder Agner (right) tackles the now graduated Nathan Ditto of Delphos St. John’s football during a 2022 game at Stadium Park. Agner is one of eight returning letter winners for Jefferson.
Don Speck | The Lima News
DELPHOS – It would be safe to say that Delphos Jefferson has been a large part of Damon Ulm’s life.
Ulm was a standout football player during his high school days at Delphos Jefferson, where he graduated in 1988.
Ulm was Delphos Jefferson’s head football coach from 2003-2008. Then, he was an assistant coach for several seasons. Ulm has been a teacher at Delphos Jefferson for most of his career.
However, Ulm did not see himself being a head coach again. His sights were set on possibly retiring from teaching in the next few years.
However, when former head coach Ben Rahrig stepped down this past spring, Ulm’s future was suddenly altered.
Before this past spring, Ulm had no intentions of coming back to take over the Delphos Jefferson football program.
“(Head) coach (Ben) Rahrig resigned here in the spring,” Ulm said. “We went through the interview committee. We had a couple prospects. Those two candidates decided not to take the job. So, we were right back to the starting point. I have been on the hiring committee, previously.
“I don’t know — it has been God’s calling. I had so many years invested into the program, as a player and coach. And to see that our numbers were really low — I didn’t want to see it die. … There’s a lot of pride. God was working on me hard to come back and do it again.”
Delphos Jefferson has eight returning letter winners from last year’s team that went 7-5 overall, and 5-2 in the Northwest Conference. The Wildcats played in two playoff games in 2022.
Ulm and his staff have been working hard this summer to fill the voids left after graduation.
“Last year, they had a really nice team. They were very senior dominated,” Ulm said. “We have two returning starters on both sides of the ball. … There’s not many lettermen back. Our numbers have not allowed us to play a JV (junior varsity) schedule the last couple years, which is very detrimental to a football program. … But you got to do, what you got to do.
“But we’re blessed here with a good group of seniors; and most of them are linemen. We’re hanging our hats on our linemen.”
Ulm said there are three returners that will lead this year’s team.
“Matt Weitzel (6-1, 310, Sr., OL/DL) a three-year letter winner, is a returning starter. He’s been a fantastic leader. He’s like another coach on the field for us,” Ulm said. “Jadrick Buffin (6-3, 250, Sr., OL/DL) is another senior lineman. He’s been supplying great leadership for us. Karder Agner (6-4, 200, Jr., TE/LB) is going to be a junior. … He (Agner) is a good athlete and has good size. He (Agner) is a three-sport athlete.”
Delphos Jefferson will run a spread offense this fall. Leading the offensive unit for the Wildcats will be first-year quarterback, sophomore Luke Rode (5-10, 140, QB/DB).
“Luke Rode got some playing time last year as a freshman,” Ulm said. “He will be our quarterback. He played a little bit at safety last year but did not play quarterback at the varsity level.”
Ulm feels confident about the players he has on the roster this season. He believes they should develop into solid varsity-level performers.
“We had a new kid come in this year, Boston Reynolds (6-0, 170, Sr., RB/DB), who is going to be our running back, and play in the secondary. He’s going to help us out a lot,” Ulm said. “Even though we have a good handful of seniors, we have very little experience. They’ve been getting better, just because they’re getting reps. They haven’t had any varsity experience, but they’re getting better and better.”
In 2022, Delphos Jefferson scored 30.7 points per game. The Wildcats held their opponents to 26.5 points per contest in the 10 regular-season games.
Last season, Delphos Jefferson ended the year first in the Northwest Conference in rushing (223 yards per game).
In the passing department, the Wildcats were near the bottom in the NWC (89 yards per contest).
Defensively, Delphos Jefferson will employ a 4-3 look.
Ulm realizes that this season could be a work in progress. However, he still has high expectations for his team.
“The kids and coaches have been working very hard in the off-season to get better; and we will be competitive,” Ulm said. “We’re optimistic. I think if we can stay healthy, keep a good attitude and work hard, we’ll be OK.”
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TEAM PROFILE
Coach: Damon Ulm (First season after serving as Jefferson’s head coach from 2003-08)
Division: VII
Last year’s record: 7-5 (5-2 NWC)
Ticket information: delphoscityschools.org/athletics/ticket-information
Returning 2022 varsity letter winners include: Luke Rode (Soph., QB/DB), Tyler Wilkins (Sr., WR/DB), Karder Agner (Jr., TE/LB), Vincent Murray (Sr., OL/LB), Matt Weitzel (Sr., OL/DL), Jim Hasting (Sr., OL/DL), Sam Hasting (Jr., OL/DL), Xach Houx (Sr., TE/DE)
2023 schedule
(Kickoffs scheduled for 7 p.m.; subject to change)
Aug. 17 — at Delphos St. John’s
Aug. 25 — Ayersville
Sept. 2 — Paulding
Sept. 8 — at Bluffton
Sept. 15 — Columbus Grove
Sept. 22 — at Crestview
Sept. 29 — Ada
Oct. 7 — Allen East
Oct. 13 — at Leipsic
Oct. 20 — at Spencerville
