Central Catholic Shines at National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award Ceremony

Central Catholic was well represented at the 60th-annual National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award Ceremony last Wednesday, March 9, at the SeaGate Centre. Seniors Dylan Fisher, Sam Lee and Josh Lee were each named NFF Scholar-Athletes, while Head Coach Greg Dempsey was honored for guiding the Fighting Irish to their fourth-consecutive Three Rivers Athletic Conference championship in the fall.

The NFF award is for student-athletes who have excelled in the classroom, on the gridiron and in the community.

CCHS finished with an 11-3 overall record in 2021, including a perfect 7-0 ledger in the TRAC. The Scarlet & Gray advanced to the Region 6 Finals of the OHSAA Division II State Playoffs and has now won 25-consecutive games against league opponents.

A defensive end for the Fighting Irish, Fisher was second-team All-Ohio, first-team All-District and first-team All-TRAC in 2021. He finished with 64 stops, including 18 tackles-for-loss and four sacks. A 2021 Academic All-TRAC selection with a 3.3 GPA, Fisher helped CCHS allow fewer than seven points on six occasions, including four shutouts. Off the field, Fisher is heavily involved on campus as a student mentor and is a Pep Rally Leader.

A wide receiver for CCHS, Sam Lee was first-team All-Ohio, first-team All-District and first-team All-TRAC in the fall. Lee was credited with a team-high 53 receptions for 1,178 yards and 17 TDs. A 2021 Academic All-TRAC selection with a perfect 4.0 GPA, Lee played a pivotal role in Central Catholic scoring at least 40 points on seven occasions. Lee also excels on the basketball court and the track for the Fighting Irish. Off the field, he is a retreat leader, student mentor and tutor, as well as a server at Mass.   

A tight end for Central Catholic, Josh Lee was second-team All-District and first-team All-TRAC in 2021. Lee totaled 24 catches for 549 yards and six TDs. A 2021 Academic All-TRAC selection with a perfect 4.0 GPA, he helped CCHS average 363.3 yards per game. Lee also shines on the hardwood and the track for Central Catholic. Off the field, he is a study group leader and student tutor, as well as a server at Mass.     

Coach Dempsey was one of 13 coaches recognized at Wednesday’s ceremony. Dempsey completed his 22nd year at the helm of the Fighting Irish program in the fall, helping them secure their eighth TRAC title in the last 10 years.

In addition, the “Voice of the Fighting Irish” Bill Clark received the Media Award. Clark has called CCHS football games since 2000, as well as boys’ and girls’ basketball contests since 2019.