Turpin High School sophomore breaking barriers as offensive lineman in football

Turpin High School sophomore breaking barriers as offensive lineman in football Advertisement Updated: 8:50 PM EST Nov 12, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Charlie Clifford Sports Director Turpin High School sophomore breaking barriers as offensive lineman in football Updated: 8:50 PM EST Nov 12, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Charlie Clifford Sports Director CINCINNATI — Charlie Denen, a sophomore at Turpin High School, is excelling as an offensive lineman on the junior varsity football team, challenging norms in a male-dominated sport. "I was always a big Sam Hubbard fan. I love Sam Hubbard," Denen said. "I don't think I've known anything except summers and falls where I just play football." Advertisement Denen, who began playing football in kindergarten, now competes on Turpin's junior varsity team—not as a kicker or punter, but as part of the Spartans' offensive line. Henry Wolfer reflected on their shared football journey. "Fourth grade, when we went to the Super Bowl, I am out there just trying to get a spot on the team. They have me at wide receiver, they have her at O-line just getting the work in," he said. Mason Renchen, another teammate, praised Denen's consistency and skill. "She has always been my left guard. Fourth grade, fifth grade, middle school, even high school last year. She has always been great to work with. Always has been a great left guard," Renchen said. Despite her success, Denen acknowledged moments of fear. "I'm often honestly pretty scared a lot of time," she said. "It's more of just... I know if I can hold my ground, then I have done my job." The youngest of three siblings raised in a sports-focused family, Denen has earned respect for her determination and focus. Turpin assistant coach Adam Kieft, now in his sixth year coaching Denen, highlighted her resilience. "She shows up. Obviously, you see some of the guys out here. We've got some guys that are way bigger than she is, and she is probably going to be playing against someone who is bigger than she is. She doesn't care," Kieft said. Denen is looking forward to the possibility of playing in varsity games in the future. "I think it would be crazy to have Friday night varsity minutes," Denen said. "If I can play, I will be happy at the end of the day. It's 100 percent possible. There was never a point in time where the people around me told me I couldn't do something." Make WLWT a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Share Infinite Scroll Enabled Top Picks Anthony Clark, a comedian and actor who starred on 'Yes, Dear,' dies WATCH: Baby bear captured on Ring camera 'ding-dong ditching' home at 2 a.m. Teen who has autism found alive after missing for nearly a week in the Australian woodlands Microsoft confirms Outlook outage affecting users worldwide