Football Squares Off Against Rival St. Francis de Sales on Friday in Battle for Irish-Knight Trophy

Photo courtesy of Glass City Photography, LLC.

TOLEDO, OH — The Central Catholic football team will open Catholic High School League (CHSL) competition when the Fighting Irish square off against crosstown rival St. Francis de Sales (1-2) on Friday, September 11.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Glass Bowl on the campus of The University of Toledo.

Fans unable to attend Friday’s rivalry matchup can listen 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 game can also be streamed online at 1007TheTicket.com.


GAME DAY INFORMATION

Fans planning to attend Friday’s rivalry matchup should be aware of the following important game day information:

• Tickets: The Glass Bowl does NOT accept cash at the gate. All tickets must be purchased online in advance at bit.ly/3UKbSeD.

• Parking: Complimentary parking will be available in Areas 2, 3, 3W, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 18. Vehicles parked outside the designated areas will be required to pay for parking or may be ticketed.

• Visitor Entrance: Central Catholic fans should enter the Glass Bowl through Gate F.
  

The Fighting Irish (2-1) will look to bounce back following a 38-25 setback against Walsh Jesuit last Friday at Conway Memorial Stadium.

Senior running back and team captain Jeremiah Fuller powered the Scarlet & Gray with three touchdowns against the Warriors, highlighted by an electrifying 97-yard kickoff return.  Fuller also rushed for a team-high 72 yards and two scores.

Sophomore quarterback Kasyn Ditmeyer completed 13-of-18 passes for 229 yards and added a seven-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.  Junior wide receiver David Yharbrough was Ditmeyer’s top target, hauling in six receptions for a game-high 131 yards.

Through three games, Fuller leads the Fighting Irish rushing attack with 290 yards on 47 carries, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt, while finding the end zone six times.  Ditmeyer has completed 18-of-24 passes (75.0 percent) for 277 yards.

Yharbrough leads Central Catholic with eight receptions for 148 yards, followed closely by sophomore wide receiver Robert Douglas III with six catches for 131 yards and senior wide receiver Amari Eliano with six receptions for 107 yards.

Central Catholic now turns its attention to CHSL competition and the latest chapter in its longstanding rivalry with St. Francis de Sales.  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 St. Francis de Sales, 40-0, at Gallagher Stadium.  Fuller accounted for three touchdowns, while defensive back Victor Singleton, Jr. returned an interception for a score and wide receiver Preston Fryzel hauled in a 61-yard touchdown reception.

Central Catholic controlled the matchup from start to finish, finishing with a commanding 393-60 advantage in total offense.  The Fighting Irish rushed for 204 yards while adding 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.

St. Francis de Sales enters Friday’s contest following a 23-0 road loss against Sandusky Perkins.  The Knights are led by head coach Josh Lindke, a former Central Catholic assistant coach.

In the CHSL Central Division preseason coaches’ poll, Detroit Catholic Central was picked to finish first, followed by Central Catholic, St. Mary’s, Brother Rice, Warren De La Salle, St. John’s Jesuit, and St. Francis de Sales.

Following Friday’s rivalry showdown, Central Catholic will return to Gallagher Stadium to host another crosstown rival, St. John’s Jesuit, on Friday, September 18.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.