Football Battles Arch-Rival St. John’s Jesuit on Friday at Home
The Central Catholic football team will host St. John’s Jesuit (0-6, 0-3 CHSL) on Friday, October 4 in a Catholic High School League matchup at the friendly confines of Gallagher Stadium. The opening kick against the arch-rival Titans is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Please click HERE for a complete list of Game Day Information, including directions, tickets, and parking. For those fans unable to attend Friday’s CHSL game, it can be heard LIVE on The Ticket l 100.7 FM with the “Voice of the Irish” Bill Clark & Jim Oswald, starting at 6:30 p.m. or streamed online HERE.
CCHS, which is currently in 2nd place in the Central Division in the CHSL, 1 game behind frontrunner Detroit Catholic Central (5-0, 3-0 CHSL), is currently riding a 22-game home winning streak, dating back to the start of the 2021 campaign.
Central Catholic (5-1, 2-1 CHSL) is coming off a narrow 27-26 victory against Saint Ignatius at soggy George Finnie Stadium on the campus of Baldwin Wallace University. The Wildcats (1-5) missed a potential game-tying extra point with 1:17 left in regulation to help the 2-time reigning state champions secure their 3rd straight triumph.
Senior RB Tyler Morgan registered a career-high 246 yards rushing on 35 carries and 2 TDs vs. the Wildcats. A team captain, Morgan has now found the end zone on multiple occasions 3 times this fall.
Senior QB Isaiah Fox was also efficient throwing the pigskin in Central Catholic’s non-conference finale, completing 12-of-16 (75.0%) passes for 176 yards and 2 scores.
The Fighting Irish trailed Saint Ignatius 20-7 in the 2nd quarter before ripping off 20-consecutive points to help them secure the road victory. The Scarlet & Gray capped the comeback with a 14-yard TD reception by junior WR Preston Fryzel for the eventual game-winning points.
Junior RB Jerome Davis V paced CCHS with 4 catches for 60 yards vs. the 11-time state champion Wildcats, followed closely by junior Sharard Vaughn III and Fryzel with 3 receptions each.
Overall this fall, Morgan has accumulated a squad-best 737 yards rushing on 115 carries (6.4 ypg) and 9 TDs. Through the air, Fox has completed 51-of-70 passes (72.9%) for 789 yards and 7 TDs. Fryzel has been Fox’s favorite target, hauling in 21 receptions for 356 yards and 4 scores, followed by the trio of senior Levelle Stokes III, Davis and Vaughn with 14, 14, and 13 catches, respectively.
SJJ (0-6, 0-3) CHSL) enters Friday’s action on the heels of a 22-21 loss vs. Brother Rice on the road.
Last fall, the Fighting Irish secured a 35-7 victory vs. the Titans at Lyden Field. CCHS held a slim 13-7 lead at intermission before outscoring SJJ 22-0 in the 2nd half to secure its 9th-straight triumph in the series. Central Catholic benefitted from a career-tying best 4 TDs by 2023 1st-team All-Ohio RB Marquan Braswell to snap SJJ’s 3-game winning streak. Braswell finished with 174 yards on 20 carries on the ground.
CCHS, which is ranked No. 3 in this week’s Associated Press Division III state poll, will return to the field against St. Mary’s Preparatory School on Friday, October 11. The opening kick against the Eaglets is slated for 7 p.m. at Gallagher Stadium. Prior to kickoff, Central Catholic will honor 38 seniors from the fall sports of football, marching band, cheerleading, boys’ cross country, boys’ golf, and girls’ tennis.
A season ago, Central Catholic posted a decisive 42-0 victory against SMPS at Milewski Field. CCHS scored 5 touchdowns in the 1st half to set the tone on the Red turf, including a team-high 3 scores from Braswell. They also benefited from an interception return for a score from junior CB Victor Singleton, a TD reception from Fryzel, and a TD run by Morgan to force a running clock in the 2nd half. As good as CCHS was offensively versus the Eaglets, its defense was even more stout. The Fighting Irish held St. Mary’s Prep to just 33 yards of offense.
