Football Closes Out Non-Conference Play at Perennial Power Saint Ignatius on Friday

The Central Catholic football team will close out its non-conference schedule against perennial power Saint Ignatius (1-4) on Friday, Sept. 27.  The opening kick against the Wildcats is slated for 7 p.m. at George Finnie Stadium on the campus of Baldwin Wallace University.

Tickets for Friday’s non-league finale can be purchased online at bit.ly/3MWrkgq.  For those fans unable to attend the 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.

Friday’s matchup will showcase 2 of the most-storied programs in state history.  The Fighting Irish (1962, 2005, ’12, ’14, ’22, ‘23) have won 6 state championships on the gridiron, while the Wildcats (1988, ‘89, ‘91, ‘92, ‘93, ‘94, ‘95, ‘99, 2001, ‘08, ‘11) have secured 11 titles, 2nd-most in the state record book.

CCHS (4-1, 2-1 CHSL) is coming a dominating 41-6 triumph vs. previously unbeaten De La Salle Collegiate at Tom Adams Field on the campus of Wayne State University.

Central Catholic held the Pilots (3-1, 1-1 CHSL) to less than 300 yards of total offense (135 passing, 161 rushing) and had 5 explosive plays on defense.  The Scarlet & Gray was credited with 2 interceptions, a blocked punt, a blocked extra point, and a fumble recovery to hand DLSC its 1st setback this fall.

Offensively, senior QB Isaiah Fox returned under center after missing last week’s game due to injury, completing 9-of-12 passes for 216 yards and 3 TDs.  Two of Fox’s 3 TD tosses went to junior WR Preston Fryzel, who finished with 5 receptions for a season-high 137 yards.

In addition, senior RB Tyler Morgan tallied 2 scores on the ground to force a running clock for a majority of the 2nd half.  The 2024 team captain has now scored at least 2 TDs in 3 of the 5 games this season.

Overall this fall, Fox has completed 39-of-54 passes (72.2%) for 613 yards and 5 TDs.  On the ground, Morgan has accumulated a squad-best 491 yards rushing on 80 carries (6.1 ypg) and 7 TDs.  Through the air, Fryzel has hauled in a team-high 18 catches for 300 yards and 2 scores, followed closely by senior Levelle Stokes III with 13 receptions for 223 yards.

Saint Ignatius enters Friday’s action on the heels of a 42-14 loss at Akron Archbishop Hoban on the road.

CCHS and SI will square off on the gridiron for the 2nd-straight year.  Last fall, Central Catholic blanked St. Ignatius, 28-0, at home.  2023 1st-team All-Ohio RB Marquan Braswell ran for 182 yards for the Fighting Irish, including an 8-yard TD.  DB Jayden Barnes also tallied a 52-yard interception return for a TD in the 2nd half, while 2023 1st-team All-Ohio WR Jaylen Watson recorded a 3-yard TD pass to Collins on a trick play to close out the scoring.

Central Catholic, which is ranked No. 2 in this week's 3rd Associated Press Poll in Division III, will return to the field against arch-rival St. John’s Jesuit on Friday, October 4. The opening kick against the Titans is slated for 7 p.m. at Gallagher Stadium.

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 21-0 in the 2nd half to secure its 9th-straight triumph in the series. Central Catholic benefitted from a career-tying best 4 TDs by Braswell to snap St. John’s Jesuit’s 3-game winning streak.  Braswell finished with 174 yards on 20 carries on the ground.