Football Takes Down Defiance in 2nd Round of OHSAA Division III State Playoffs, 41-26

The Central Catholic football team defeated Defiance, 41-26, on Friday in the 2nd round of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Division III State Playoffs in Gallagher Stadium. With the post-season win, CCHS stretches its winning streak to 27-consecutive games and improves to 12-0 overall.

Tonight’s triumph will now set up a Region 10 semifinal matchup for the No. 1 seed Fighting Irish vs. No. 4 seed Mansfield Senior (10-2) on Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. at a neutral site.

Junior RB Tyler Morgan led the Scarlet & Gray with a season-tying best 4 TDs, including an electric 97-yard kickoff return in the opening quarter. Morgan finished with 14 carries for a season-high 139 yards on the ground, topping the century mark for the 2nd-time this fall. His previous-best effort was 113 yards at Findlay in the season opener.

The reigning D-ll state champions also received TDs from junior RB Jacob Spears on a 65-yard kickoff return and junior WR Levelle Stokes to help them remain unbeaten on the season.

Through the air, senior QB Terry Collins, Jr. completed an efficient 14-of-17 passes for 147 yards. Collins’ favorite target was senior WR Jaylen Watson, who hauled in 5 receptions for a season-high 124 yards.

CCHS is making its 20th-straight playoff appearance under Head Coach Greg Dempsey and 25th overall in school history. Central Catholic has a 48-17 post-season record under Coach Dempsey with 4 state championships (2005, ‘12, ’14, ‘22) and a state runner-up finish (2015).

A member of the Western Buckeye League, the No. 9 seed Bulldogs wrap up their season with an 8-4 overall record.