Football Picked to Repeat as Central Division Champion in CHSL Preseason Coaches’ Poll

The Central Catholic football team has been picked to successfully defend its Central Division championship in the Catholic High School League (CHSL) in a vote by the conference’s head coaches.  The preseason poll was released at the league’s annual Media Day on Wednesday in Detroit.

The Scarlet & Gray was tabbed to finish 1st in the 6-team division for a 2nd-consecutive year.  The Fighting Irish are coming off a historic 2023 campaign that saw them capture their 6th OHSAA state championship in program history (1962, 2005, ‘12, ‘14, ’22, ‘23).  CCHS, which is currently riding a school-record 31-consecutive wins, posted a perfect 16-0 overall ledger and a 6-0 mark in its 1st year in the CHSL. They outscored their 6-league opponents by a whopping 31.8 points per contest (41.5-9.7).

Novi Detroit Catholic Central was projected to finish 2nd in the Central Division, followed by Warren De La Salle Collegiate, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Preparatory, St. John’s Jesuit, and Birmingham Brother Rice.

The CHSL Prep Bowl will take place on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Ford Field in Detroit.

The CHSL, which was founded in 1926, is the largest Catholic high school league in the United States with 32 private-school members from around southeastern Michigan and Toledo’s 5 Catholic high schools.

Individually, Central Catholic returns 2 All-CHSL selections from last fall, senior DL Curtis Strode, Jr. (All-League) and junior DB Victor Singleton, Jr. (All-League).

CCHS opens its 2024 campaign vs. Findlay on Friday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. in Gallagher Stadium.  Their league opener will take place on Friday, Sept. 6 vs. DCC at 7 p.m. in Fr. Richard Elmer, C.S.B. Stadium.

Central Catholic’s complete schedule can be found by clicking HERE.

2024 CHSL PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL (CENTRAL DIVISION)
1. CENTRAL CATHOLIC (16-0, 6-0 CHSL)
2. Novi Detroit Catholic Central (8-3, 4-2)
3. Warren De La Salle Collegiate (11-3, 5-1)
4. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Preparatory (3-6, 3-3)
5. St. John’s Jesuit (4-7, 2-4)
6. Birmingham Brother Rice (0-9, 0-6)