Football Tangles with Detroit Catholic Central in Saturday’s Marquee Matchup

Photo Courtesy of Glass City Photography, LLC

NOVI, MI — The Central Catholic football team will continue its grueling schedule when the Fighting Irish travel to face defending MHSAA Division 1 state champion Detroit Catholic Central on Saturday, October 3.  Kickoff for the Catholic High School League showdown is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Fr. Richard Elmer, C.S.B. Stadium.

In this week’s respective MaxPreps state rankings, the Fighting Irish (5-1, 2-0 CHSL) check in at No. 6 in Ohio, while the unbeaten Shamrocks (5-0, 2-0 CHSL) are ranked No. 1 in Michigan.

The matchup also features the top two teams in the CHSL Central Division preseason coaches’ poll.  Detroit Catholic Central was picked to finish first in the seven-team division, followed by Central Catholic in second.

Tickets for Saturday’s CHSL showdown can be purchased online by clicking HERE.

For fans unable to make the trip, there are several ways to follow the Fighting Irish. The game can be heard LIVE on “Q105.5” | 105.5 FM, with the “Voice of the Irish” Bill Clark, Bill Boyle, and Jackson Stricker on the call beginning at noon. Fans can also stream the radio broadcast online by clicking HERE.

In addition, fans can watch the game LIVE through Hudl by clicking HERE.

Saturday’s game features two of the most decorated high school football programs in their respective states.  The Fighting Irish have captured six state championships (1962, 2005, 2012, 2014, 2022, 2023), while Detroit Catholic Central has won 11 MHSAA state championships (1979, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2025).

Central Catholic enters Saturday’s contest riding a four-game winning streak following an emphatic 49--7 victory over previously unbeaten Lumen Christi Catholic at Crowley Stadium.

Senior running back Jeremiah Fuller powered the Fighting Irish with a season-high 221 rushing yards on 15 carries and a career-best five touchdowns, helping snap the Titans’ 13-game winning streak.  A team captain, Fuller has now scored at least three touchdowns in four of Central Catholic’s first six games this season.

Sophomore quarterback Lincoln Sellers also turned in a strong road performance, completing 8-of-15 passes for a season-high 216 yards and one touchdown.  Senior wide receiver Amari Eliano was Sellers’ favorite target, hauling in four passes for 99 yards.

Sophomore wide receiver Robert Douglas III also found the end zone against the four-time reigning MHSAA Division 6 state champion Titans, connecting with Sellers on a 28-yard touchdown reception.

The Fighting Irish built a 28-7 halftime advantage before pulling away in the second half to secure their fourth consecutive victory and improve to 5-1 on the season.

Through six games, Fuller leads the Central Catholic rushing attack with 685 yards on 88 carries, averaging 8.1 yards per attempt, while finding the end zone 19 times. Sellers has completed 30-of-56 passes (53.6 percent) for 725 yards and six touchdowns and has thrown for at least 200 yards in each of the last two contests.

Central Catholic also features a talented trio of receivers.  Douglas leads the way with 14 receptions for 329 yards, followed closely by David Yharbrough with 13 catches for 291 yards and Eliano with 13 receptions for 263 yards.

Central Catholic will face a Detroit Catholic Central team that is coming off a 36-3 victory over St. John’s Jesuit (3-3, 0-3 CHSL).  The win extended the Shamrocks’ winning streak to 19 consecutive games.  DCC is led by head coach Justin Cessante.

The Shamrocks finished a perfect 14-0 in 2025, capturing the MHSAA Division 1 state championship with a 42-19 victory over Detroit Cass Tech at Ford Field.

Last fall, Central Catholic dropped a 27-14 decision to DCC at Gallagher Stadium.  The Fighting Irish held a 14-6 halftime advantage before the Shamrocks scored 21 unanswered points in the second half.

Running back Anthony Sylvester paced the Fighting Irish with 62 rushing yards on 16 carries and scored both Central Catholic touchdowns.  Quarterback Ali Beydoun completed 18-of-27 passes for 126 yards, while wide receiver Preston Fryzel hauled in a team-high five receptions for 54 yards.

Following Saturday’s matchup, Central Catholic will return to Cherry Street to host Brother Rice on Friday, October 9, as part of Homecoming Weekend.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Gallagher Stadium.

The finalists for 2026 Homecoming Queen are Gia Delgado, Hope Johnson, Sherlyn Ramirez-Guzman, Layla Laytart, and Madison Stricker.  The Homecoming Queen will be announced at halftime of next Friday’s game.