Football Entertains Portage Central on Thursday
Photo Courtesy of Glass City Photography.
The Central Catholic football team returns to action on Thursday, August 27, when it hosts Portage Central at Gallagher Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.
Please click HERE for complete game-day information, including ticketing, parking, and directions.
Fans are reminded of the following ticket and entry policies:
Online student ticket sales close at noon on Thursday.
All ticket sales close at 6:30 p.m.
Re-entry into Gallagher Stadium is not permitted.
No entry will be permitted after the start of the second half.
Fans unable to attend Thursday’s matchup can listen LIVE on 100.7 FM The Ticket. “Voice of the Irish” Bill Clark, Jim Oswald, and Jackson Stricker will take to the air beginning at 5 p.m. The game can also be streamed online HERE.
Head Coach Greg Dempsey and the Fighting Irish (1-0) opened the 2026 season with an impressive 27-9 victory over Trotwood-Madison (0-1) on Friday at home.
Sophomore quarterback Lincoln Sellers completed 5-of-12 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns off the bench, connecting with senior wide receiver Amari Eliano and sophomore wide receiver Robert Douglas III for scores.
Senior running back Jeremiah Fuller led the Fighting Irish ground attack with a game-high 118 rushing yards, highlighted by an 88-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
Junior placekicker Mason Huntebrinker also contributed to the season-opening victory, connecting on field goals from 31 and 35 yards to round out the scoring for the Scarlet & Gray.
Defensively, Central Catholic held Trotwood-Madison to just nine points and forced a pair of key turnovers. Senior defensive back Jason Lawson Jr. and junior defensive back Caliel Autman each recorded an interception for the Fighting Irish.
Thursday’s game will serve as Portage Central’s season opener. The Mustangs are coached by Mick Enders and finished the 2025 season with a 12-1 record. Portage Central advanced to the MHSAA Division 2 state semifinals before falling, 42-7, to eventual state champion and Catholic High School League member St. Mary’s Preparatory.
Thursday will mark the first meeting on the gridiron between Central Catholic and Portage Central.
The Fighting Irish will return to action on Friday, September 4, when they face Walsh Jesuit at 7 p.m. at The All Sports Complex.
Walsh Jesuit defeated Central Catholic, 17-14, in last season’s opener at Gallagher Stadium, snapping the Fighting Irish’s 26-game home winning streak
After surrendering an early score, senior quarterback Ali Beydoun connected with wide receiver Preston Fryzel on a 10-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. The extra-point attempt was wide left, making the score 7-6.
Walsh Jesuit quickly responded with a 79-yard touchdown and added a 24-yard field goal to take a 17-6 lead into halftime.
The only points after intermission came on an eight-yard touchdown run by Fuller and a successful two-point conversion midway through the fourth quarter. Fuller finished with a team-high 100 rushing yards.
The Fighting Irish had an opportunity to win in the closing moments of regulation but turned the ball over on downs at the Walsh Jesuit four-yard line.
