Football Travels to Perennial Power Walsh Jesuit on Friday

CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH — The Central Catholic football team will hit the road for the first time this season when the Fighting Irish travel to perennial power Walsh Jesuit on Friday, September 4.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at The All Sports Complex.

Fans unable to attend Friday’s matchup can listen LIVE on 100.7 FM The Ticket. “Voice of the Irish” Bill Clark, Bill Boyle, and Jackson Stricker will take to the air beginning at 6 p.m.  The game can also be streamed online HERE.

The Fighting Irish (2-0) enter Friday’s contest following a hard-fought, 24-14 come-from-behind victory over Portage Central on August 27 in Gallagher Stadium.

Central Catholic trailed the visiting Mustangs, 14-7, entering the final 12 minutes before erupting for 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.

Senior running back Jeremiah Fuller scored twice during the decisive final stanza, while junior placekicker Mason Huntebrinker connected on a 29-yard field goal to help complete the comeback.

Fuller powered the Central Catholic offense, finishing with 100 yards on 18 carries and three touchdowns. The senior captain has now found the end zone four times through the first two games of the season.

Sophomore quarterback Kasyn Ditmyer entered the game for injured sophomore quarterback Lincoln Sellers in the opening quarter and completed 5-of-6 passes for 48 yards.

Ditmyer’s top target was sophomore wide receiver Robert Douglas III, who hauled in three receptions for 35 yards.

Through two games, Fuller leads the Fighting Irish rushing attack with 218 yards on 32 carries, averaging 6.8 yards per attempt, while scoring four touchdowns.  Douglas has emerged as Central Catholic’s leading receiver with nine catches for 114 yards and one touchdown.

Walsh Jesuit enters Friday’s matchup following a 34-0 season-opening victory at Medina Highland.  The Warriors were scheduled to face Springfield this past Friday, but the game resulted in a Springfield forfeit.

Friday’s matchup will provide Central Catholic with an opportunity to avenge last season’s 17-14 setback to the Warriors at Gallagher Stadium.  The loss snapped the Fighting Irish’s 26-game home winning streak.

After Walsh Jesuit opened the scoring in last season’s meeting, quarterback Ali Beydoun connected with wide receiver Preston Fryzel on a 10-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.  The ensuing extra-point attempt was wide left, leaving Central Catholic trailing, 7-6.

The Warriors answered with a 79-yard touchdown and later added a 24-yard field goal to carry a 17-6 advantage into halftime.

Central Catholic pulled within three midway through the fourth quarter when Fuller scored on an eight-yard touchdown run before the Fighting Irish successfully converted the ensuing two-point attempt.

Fuller finished the contest with a team-high 100 rushing yards.

The Fighting Irish had an opportunity to complete the comeback in the closing moments of regulation, but their final drive stalled at the Walsh Jesuit four-yard line.

A season ago, the Warriors finished with an 11-2 overall record and advanced to the OHSAA Division II State Semifinals. Walsh Jesuit is coached by Nicholas Alexander.

Central Catholic will return to action against crosstown rival St. Francis de Sales on Friday, September 11, at 7 p.m. inside the Glass Bowl at the University of Toledo.

The Fighting Irish will look to secure their 25th-consecutive victory in the series and retain the coveted Irish-Knight Trophy.  Central Catholic has not lost to the Knights since 2003.

Last fall, the Fighting Irish blanked SFDS, 40-0, in Gallagher Stadium. Central Catholic received three touchdowns from Fuller, a pick-six from defensive back Victor Singleton Jr., and a 61-yard touchdown reception by Fryzel.

The Scarlet & Gray dominated the matchup, finishing with a 393-60 advantage in total offense while recording 204 rushing yards and 189 yards through the air.

Fuller rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns in the first half alone, scoring on runs of 46 and 30 yards.  He added a 69-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter to complete his three-score performance.