Football Closes Out Regular Season at De La Salle Collegiate on Friday

SOUTHFIELD, MI – The Central Catholic football team will conclude its regular-season schedule on the road against De La Salle Collegiate on Friday, October 23. Kickoff against the Pilots (5-3, 2-3 CHSL) is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Blue Devils Stadium, located on the campus of Lawrence Technological University.

Regardless of Friday's outcome, Central Catholic will make its 23rd consecutive appearance in the OHSAA playoffs under Head Coach Greg Dempsey and 28th overall in school history.

The top 12 teams in each region qualify for the postseason, with the top four earning first-round byes.  The Fighting Irish are currently the top-rated team in Division II, Region 6, and have secured a first-round bye and home regional quarterfinal matchup.

Friday's Catholic High School League showdown features two of the most successful high school football programs in their respective states.  The Fighting Irish have captured six Ohio state championships (1962, 2005, 2012, 2014, 2022, 2023), while the Pilots have claimed five MHSAA Division 2 state titles (2014, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022).

Tickets for Friday's regular-season finale can be purchased online at bit.ly/4eHs8UG.

Fans unable to make the trip to Southfield can follow all the action LIVE on 100.7 FM The Ticket.  "Voice of the Irish" Bill Clark, along with Bill Boyle and Jackson Stricker, will take to the air beginning at 6 p.m. The broadcast will also be available online at 1007theticket.com.

Central Catholic (7-2, 4-1 CHSL), ranked No. 5 in this week's Associated Press Division II state poll, enters Friday's matchup riding the momentum of a thrilling 28-21 victory over two-time reigning MHSAA Division 2 state champion St. Mary's Preparatory (5-3, 4-2 CHSL) on Senior Night at Gallagher Stadium.

Senior running back Jeremiah Fuller delivered another outstanding performance, rushing for 134 yards and four touchdowns to power the Fighting Irish past the Eaglets.

Fuller carried the ball 29 times, scoring on runs of 16 and seven yards in the first quarter to help Central Catholic build a 14-7 halftime advantage.  With the outcome hanging in the balance, Fuller delivered two more touchdowns in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter, scoring from four yards out before finding the end zone on a three-yard run with just 1:10 remaining in regulation to secure the victory for the Scarlet & Gray.

Sophomore quarterback Lincoln Sellers complemented Fuller's impressive performance on the ground, completing 11-of-14 passes for 194 yards. Sophomore wide receiver Robert Douglas III emerged as Sellers' favorite target, hauling in six receptions for 87 yards.

Through nine games, Fuller has been the driving force behind the Fighting Irish rushing attack, amassing 1,173 yards on 162 carries, an impressive average of 7.2 yards per attempt, while finding the end zone 28 times on the ground.

Sellers has also put together an impressive sophomore campaign, completing 67-of-113 passes (59.3 percent) for 1,322 yards and 10 touchdowns.  The Fighting Irish signal-caller has surpassed the 200-yard passing mark in three of his last five outings.

Central Catholic's aerial attack features a talented trio of receivers who have combined for more than 1,300 yards through nine games.

Douglas leads the team with 470 receiving yards on 24 receptions, while junior David Yarbrough has added 24 catches for 459 yards.  Senior Amari Eliano has also emerged as a dependable target, contributing 19 receptions for 396 yards.

De La Salle enters Friday's regular-season finale following a 38-24 victory over Divine Child Catholic, marking the Pilots' third win in their last four contests.

The Pilots are guided by seventh-year head coach Dan Rohn.

Last fall, Central Catholic rolled past De La Salle, 35-6, during Homecoming Weekend at Gallagher Stadium.  The Fighting Irish outgained the Pilots, 322-175, and held a commanding 17-8 advantage in first downs.

Central Catholic scored four of its five touchdowns on the ground, highlighted by a pair of rushing scores from running back Anthony Sylvester.

Quarterback Ali Beydoun completed 6-of-10 passes for 156 yards, including an electrifying 80-yard touchdown strike to Fuller on Central Catholic's opening play from scrimmage.  Beydoun also paced the Fighting Irish ground attack with 65 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.