Central Catholic Announces Challenging 2026 Football Schedule
Central Catholic has announced its 2026 football schedule, Athletic Director/Head Coach Greg Dempsey '90 recently revealed. The Fighting Irish will compete in Division II of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) for the first time since 2022 while entering their fourth consecutive season in the Catholic High School League (CHSL).
Once again, Central Catholic will face one of the area's most demanding schedules. Five of the Fighting Irish's 10 regular-season opponents won at least 11 games during the 2025 campaign, including two Michigan state champions.
Highlighting the schedule are matchups against reigning Michigan state champions Detroit Catholic Central (Oct. 3), which finished 14-0 last season, and St. Mary's Preparatory (Oct. 16), which posted an 11-2 record while capturing a state championship.
The Fighting Irish will open the season at Gallagher Stadium on Aug. 21 against Trotwood-Madison before hosting Portage Central (Aug. 27), St. John's Jesuit (Sept. 18), Brother Rice (Oct. 9), and St. Mary's Preparatory. The Brother Rice contest will serve as Central Catholic's Homecoming game, while the St. Mary's Preparatory matchup will be Senior Night on Cherry Street.
Central Catholic's road slate includes trips to Walsh Jesuit (Sept. 4), St. Francis de Sales (Sept. 11), Lumen Christi Catholic (Sept. 25), Detroit Catholic Central, and De La Salle Collegiate (Oct. 23).
The annual rivalry game against St. Francis de Sales will once again be played at the Glass Bowl on the campus of The University of Toledo. The regular-season finale against De La Salle Collegiate will be contested at Blue Devils Stadium on the campus of Lawrence Technological University.
The Fighting Irish enter this year's rivalry game having won 24 consecutive meetings against St. Francis de Sales and have not suffered a loss to the Knights since 2003.
Last season, Central Catholic advanced to the OHSAA state championship game for the fourth consecutive year. The Fighting Irish finished 11-5 overall, posted a 3-2 mark in CHSL play, and extended the program's streak of consecutive OHSAA playoff appearances to 22 seasons.
Individually, Central Catholic earned eight All-Ohio honors following the 2025 season. Defensive back Victor Singleton Jr. was named the Division III Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season while also earning First-Team All-Ohio recognition. He was joined on the First Team by wide receiver/tight end Preston Fryzel and running back Jeremiah Fuller.
Defensive lineman Zenaje Liggons collected Second-Team All-Ohio honors for the second straight season, while offensive linemen Tyler Britsch and Kevon Harrison were selected Third-Team All-Ohio. Defensive lineman Chris Sanders Jr. and defensive back Keyon Robinson rounded out the honorees by earning Honorable Mention All-Ohio recognition.
Leading the way for the Fighting Irish in 2026 will be Fuller, along with Sanders and Robinson. The trio gives Central Catholic three All-Ohio performers back in the lineup as the Fighting Irish look to make another deep postseason run.
2026 SCHEDULE
Friday, August 21 - TROTWOOD-MADISON - 7 p.m.
Thursday, August 27 - PORTAGE CENTRAL - 6 p.m.
Friday, September 4 - at Walsh Jesuit - 7 p.m.
Friday, September 11 - vs. St. Francis de Sales^ - 7 p.m.
Friday, September 18 - ST. JOHN’S JESUIT - 7 p.m.
Friday, September 25 - at Lumen Christi Catholic - 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 3 - at Detroit Catholic Central - 1 p.m.
Friday, October 9 - BROTHER RICE (Homecoming) - 7 p.m.
Friday, October 16 - ST. MARY’S PREPARATORY (Senior Night) - 7 p.m.
Friday, October 23 - vs. De La Salle Collegiate# - 7 p.m.
Home Games in ALL Caps
^ - Game Played at Glass Bowl Stadium (University of Toledo)
# - Game Played at Blue Devils Stadium (Lawrence Technological University)
