Football Hosts St. Mary’s Preparatory on Senior Night on Cherry Street

TOLEDO, OH — The Central Catholic football team will welcome two-time reigning MHSAA Division 2 state champion St. Mary’s Preparatory to Gallagher Stadium on Friday, October 16, for its final regular-season home game.  Kickoff against the Eaglets is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Prior to Friday’s Catholic High School League (CHSL) matchup, Central Catholic will recognize 31 seniors representing football, cheer, crew, boys’ and girls’ cross country, boys’ golf, and marching band as part of Senior Night festivities on Cherry Street.

No. 8-ranked Central Catholic (6-2 overall, 3-1 CHSL), according to this week’s Associated Press state poll, enters Friday’s contest in third place in the CHSL Central Division standings, trailing Detroit Catholic Central (7-0, 4-0 CHSL) and St. Mary’s Preparatory (5-2, 4-1 CHSL).

Friday’s matchup features two of the most decorated high school football programs in their respective states.  The Fighting Irish have captured six OHSAA state championships (1962, 2005, 2012, 2014, 2022, 2023), while the Eaglets have claimed 10 MHSAA state titles (1977, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2024, 2025).

Fans planning to attend Friday’s game are encouraged to review the complete Game-Day Visitor’s Guide for important information regarding ticketing, parking, stadium policies, and directions.

The following ticketing and entry policies will be enforced:

·       Tickets may be purchased in advance at CentralCatholic.org/tickets.

·       Online student ticket sales close at noon on Friday.

·       Students MUST present a valid school ID. Student admission is limited to Central Catholic and St. Mary’s Preparatory students.

·       All other guests ages 5–17 MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

·       All ticket sales close at 7:30 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 can listen LIVE on The Ticket | 100.7 FM, featuring the "Voice of the Irish" Bill Clark, Bill Boyle, and Jackson Stricker.  Pregame coverage begins at 6 p.m. The broadcast will also be available online at 1007theticket.com.

Central Catholic returned to the win column Friday night with an impressive 49-27 victory over Brother Rice during Homecoming Weekend at Gallagher Stadium.

Senior running back Jeremiah Fuller delivered a career-best performance, rushing for 282 yards on 27 carries and matching his career high with five touchdowns to power the Scarlet & Gray past the Warriors (5-2, 2-2 CHSL).

A team captain, Fuller scored three touchdowns in the first half before adding two more after intermission. His scoring runs covered 58, five, one, 11, and 37 yards.

The standout performance marked Fuller's second 200-yard rushing effort in the last three games, following a 221-yard outing against Lumen Christi Catholic on September 25.

Sophomore quarterback Lincoln Sellers also turned in an efficient performance, completing 7-of-11 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns.  Sellers connected with junior wide receiver Peyton Barringer and sophomore wide receiver Robert Douglas III for scores through the air.

Through eight games, Fuller has established himself as the centerpiece of the Fighting Irish rushing attack, totaling 1,039 yards on 133 carries, an average of 7.9 yards per attempt, while scoring 24 rushing touchdowns.

Sellers has completed 56-of-99 passes (56.6 percent) for 1,128 yards and 10 touchdowns.  The sophomore signal-caller has also surpassed the 200-yard passing mark in three of his last four contests.

Central Catholic's passing attack features a talented trio of receivers, led by junior David Yharbrough, who has recorded 22 receptions for 401 yards.

Douglas III follows with 18 catches for 383 yards, while senior Amari Eliano has contributed 17 receptions for 352 yards.

St. Mary’s Preparatory enters Friday’s matchup looking to rebound from a 27-20 home loss to Detroit Catholic Central, which snapped the Eaglets’ four-game winning streak.

The Eaglets are guided by fifth-year head coach Jermaine Gonzales and enter the contest with a 5-2 overall record and a 4-1 mark in CHSL play.

Friday’s meeting also provides Central Catholic an opportunity to avenge last season’s 36-21 setback against St. Mary’s Preparatory at Milewski Field.

In that contest, the Fighting Irish built a 14-10 halftime advantage behind one-yard touchdown runs from Fuller and running back Anthony Sylvester.

Central Catholic extended its lead to 21-10 early in the third quarter when quarterback Ali Beydoun connected with wide receiver Preston Fryzel on an eight-yard touchdown pass.

However, St. Mary’s Preparatory responded with 26 unanswered points in the second half to secure the home victory and snap Central Catholic’s four-game winning streak.

Beydoun finished the contest completing 11-of-22 passes for 117 yards, while Sylvester rushed for a season-high 129 yards on 18 carries.

Following Friday’s Senior Night matchup, Central Catholic will conclude its regular-season schedule against De La Salle Collegiate on Friday, October 23.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Blue Devils Stadium, located on the campus of Lawrence Technological University.