Fourth-Quarter Surge Lifts Football Past Portage Central, 24-14

TOLEDO, OH — The Central Catholic football team erupted for 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to rally past Portage Central, 24-14, on Thursday under the lights at Gallagher Stadium. With the victory, the Fighting Irish improve to 2-0 on the season.

Central Catholic trailed the visiting Mustangs (0-1), 14-7, entering the final 12 minutes before taking control of the game.

Senior running back Jeremiah Fuller scored twice in the fourth quarter, while junior placekicker Mason Huntebrinker added a field goal as the Fighting Irish completed the come-from-behind victory.

Fuller found the end zone on runs of 11 and 18 yards during the decisive final stanza, while Huntebrinker connected on a 29-yard field goal to close out the scoring.

Fuller powered the Central Catholic offense, finishing with 86 yards on 18 carries and three touchdowns. The senior captain has now scored four touchdowns through the first two games of the season.

Sophomore quarterback Kasyn Ditmyer entered the game for injured sophomore quarterback Lincoln Sellers in the opening quarter and completed 4-of-6 passes for 55 yards.

Ditmyer’s top target was sophomore wide receiver Robert Douglas III, who hauled in three receptions for 40 yards.

Central Catholic returns to action on Friday, September 4, when the Fighting Irish travel to face Walsh Jesuit at 7 p.m. at The All Sports Complex.

The matchup will give Central Catholic an opportunity to avenge last season’s 17-14 setback to the Warriors at Gallagher Stadium, a loss that snapped the Fighting Irish’s 26-game home winning streak.

After Walsh Jesuit scored first in last season’s meeting, 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, leaving the Irish trailing, 7-6.

The Warriors responded with a 79-yard touchdown and added a 24-yard field goal to take a 17-6 advantage into halftime.

Central Catholic’s only points after intermission came midway through the fourth quarter when Fuller scored on an eight-yard touchdown run before the Fighting Irish converted the ensuing two-point attempt. Fuller finished the contest with a team-high 100 rushing yards.

The Fighting Irish had an opportunity to complete the comeback in the closing moments of regulation, but their final drive ended on downs at the Walsh Jesuit four-yard line.

Central Catholic will look to reverse that result when the two programs meet again next Friday night.