Central Catholic Renews Rivalry with Bishop Watterson on Friday in OHSAA Division III State Championship Game
The Central Catholic football team will renew one of the state’s premier postseason rivalries on Friday when the Fighting Irish face unbeaten Bishop Watterson (13–0) in the Division III State Championship Game — marking the third straight year the programs have met in the playoffs. CCHS topped the Eagles 27–7 in the 2023 state final, while Bishop Watterson edged the Fighting Irish 19–14 in last year’s title game, setting the stage for another high-stakes showdown.
The two teams will meet on Friday, December 5 at 3 p.m. at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium (1835 Harrison Ave. NW, Canton, 44708). The championship will air LIVE on BCSN TV on Buckeye Broadband cable channel 608 and Stream TV channel 25. The telecast is also available on Spectrum News 1, as well as SpectrumNews1.com, SpectrumNewsApp.com, and OHSAA.tv. In addition, the game can be heard on The Ticket l 100.7 FM with the “Voice of the Irish” Bill Clark and Jim Oswald, starting at 2 p.m.
Tickets for Friday’s 54th-annual championship contest must be purchased online at OHSAA.org/tickets (Division III). All seats are General Admission: $16 for adults and $10 for students.
The Fighting Irish (11–4), who are seeking their 6th state title under Head Coach Greg Dempsey (2005, ’12, ’14, ’22, ’23) and 7th overall in program history (1962), reached their fourth straight state final after postseason wins over Ontario (35–0), Lexington (49–18), Wapakoneta (41–7), Rocky River (57–28), and most recently Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (21–20).
According to the OHSAA, only championships won since 1972 are recognized in their record books and the Fighting Irish’s 5 titles are currently tied for 14th most in Ohio history. In addition, their string of 4-consecutive championship game appearances is tied for 6th best in state history.
Central Catholic trailed CVCA 20–7 midway through the third quarter before mounting a dramatic comeback. Junior QB Ali Beydoun fired touchdown passes to senior WR Jerome Davis V and junior RB Jeremiah Fuller, giving the Irish a 21–20 lead with 1:55 remaining. The Royals had a final chance, driving to the CCHS 12-yard line, but a potential game-winning 29-yard field goal missed wide left as time expired, sending the Fighting Irish to Canton once again.
Beydoun completed 11 of 20 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown, adding to his season totals: 129-of-216 passing (59.7%) for 2,092 yards and 18 TDs. His top targets include senior WR Preston Fryzel (33 receptions, 876 yards, 8 TDs), Davis (32 catches, 278 yards, 2 TDs), and junior WR Amari Eliano (23 receptions, 358 yards, 2 TDs). In the postseason alone, Beydoun has thrown for 793 yards and 9 TDs.
Fuller leads the ground attack with 1,504 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns this fall.
Bishop Watterson, the No. 1 seed in Region 11 and a member of the Central Catholic Conference, enters amid a 29-game unbeaten streak following playoff wins against Granville (56–0), Tri-Valley (48–6), Steubenville (43–0), and Tippecanoe (41–9). Under Head Coach Brian Kennedy, the Eagles are making their 8th state championship appearance (1972, ’99, 2001, ’02, ’10, ’23, ’24, ’25) and are seeking their 4th state title.
Friday’s game marks the final contest for Central Catholic’s 20-member senior class: Tyler Britsch, Robert Campbell, Jerome Davis V, Ryan Dempsey, Gavin Eckhart, Dominick Frausto, Preston Fryzel, Raymond Goodlow, Kevon Harrison, Aidan Lamb, Zenaje Liggons, Jaylen Linzy-Stubblefield, Logan Miller, Blake Moody, Grady Rough, Victor Singleton Jr., Anthony Sylvester, Sharard Vaughn III, Braylon Whitney, and Armon Wiggins.
Consecutive State Championship Game Appearances
Kirtland - 9 (2017-25)
Marian Local - 9 (2011-19)
Coldwater - 8 (2009-16)
Newark Catholic - 8 (1980-87)
Saint Ignatius - 6 (1991-96)
CENTRAL CATHOLIC - 4 (2022-25)
Marian Local - 4 (2021-24)
Archbishop Hoban - 4 (2020-23)
Archbishop Hoban - 4 (2015-18)
Trotwood-Madison - 4 (2010-13)
Youngstown Ursuline - 4 (2007-10)
Youngstown Cardinal Mooney - 4 (2004-07)
Versailles - 4 (1993-96)
Cincinnati Moeller - 4 (1979-81)
