A whole new landscape opens up for Toledo's Catholic high school football programs in the upcoming 2023 season as the trio of teams begins play in the Michigan-based Catholic High School League.
It remains to be seen what the short-term and long-term impacts will be when Central Catholic, St. Francis de Sales, and St. John's Jesuit blend with four of the Detroit area's (and Michigan's) most historically successful football programs.
One thing is nearly certain, however: If iron truly does sharpen iron amid high-level competition, the majority of teams in the CHSL's Central Division will benefit come playoff time.
Although Central's Fighting Irish, St. Francis's Knights, and St. John's Titans might have been left behind to fend for themselves with the demise of the highly competitive Three Rivers Athletic Conference and the concurrent expansion of the Northern Lakes League, finding this particular home up north should prove to be a quality football alternative.
“Moving up to the Catholic High School League in Detroit is a different animal than any conference around,” Central Catholic coach Greg Dempsey said. “All four of the Michigan schools have won multiple state championships and have some of the strongest traditions in the Midwest. This is a great challenge and opportunity for us.
“We will get a chance to compete with some of the most tradition-rich programs in the Detroit area. It is the type of conference where anyone can win on any given week.”
The three Toledo programs will match up against four Detroit-area Catholic-school teams, which have combined for 32 state playoff championships and 20 state runner-up finishes since Michigan began postseason play in 1975.
Currently, the most dominant of the four is Warren De La Salle, which has won back-to-back Division 2 state titles after finishing as D-2 state runner-up in 2020.
The Pilots' five total state crowns (the others came in 2014, 2017, and 2018) are the fewest among the four teams.
Perennial D-1 state power Novi Detroit Catholic Central has won 10 titles (most recently in 2009), and the Shamrocks have finished second seven times.
Birmingham Brother Rice, now a D-3 team, has captured nine state championships (the last three coming in D-2 from 2011 to 2013), and the Warriors have been runners-up four times.
Orchard Lakes St. Mary's, last year a D-4 team, has claimed eight state crowns, the last three in D-3 from 2014 to 2016. The Eaglets have placed second six times.
This is the type of high-level parity that the three Toledo teams will join forces with. And, if the nonleague portion of their respective schedules are successful, it is likely that six of the seven Central Division teams could qualify for postseason play in the two states.
When the coaches from the seven CHSL Central Division teams came together in Detroit for a July 27 meeting, they voted in a preseason poll.
Central Catholic, coming off its 2022 Division II state championship, was voted No. 1, followed in order by De La Salle, Detroit Catholic Central, St. John's, Brother Rice, St. Mary's, and St. Francis.
If that polling proves accurate, the date to be circled on the calendar is Sept. 15, (Week 5 in Ohio, Week 4 in Michigan) when the Pilots come to Central's Gallagher Stadium in a battle of defending state champions.
In the CHSL's annual Prep Bowl — this year a three-game event at Detroit's Ford Field on Oct. 21 — the Central Division champion will face the champion of the Detroit Public School League's upper division.
Here is a look at the three Toledo members of the CHSL's Central Division entering the 2023 season.
CENTRAL CATHOLIC
■ Coach: Greg Dempsey, 24th season
■ Last season: 15-1 overall, 7-0 TRAC
■ Top players: Seniors Marc Nave, 6-4, 315, OL; Jaylen Watson, 6-0, 170, WR-CB; Michael Cannings, 6-2, 280, DL; Kendric Bankston, 5-11, 265, OL; Tyrell Green, 6-5, 330, OL; Elijah Williams, 6-2, 280, OL; Marvon Greenlee, 5-8, 145, CB; Marquan Braswell, 6-0, 220, RB; Davontae' Wright-Ward, 5-10, 235, OL; Ronald Collins, 5-10, 285, DL; Jayden Barnes, 5-11, 160, CB.
■ Outlook: The good news for the Irish is that they have their entire offensive-line quintet (all seniors) back, a group that averages 6-2 and 285 pounds per man. The OL is paced by Nave, who has committed to Ohio State. They also return first team Division II All-Ohio defensive lineman Cannings, and add a top-level transfer in the University of Iowa-bound Watson via River Rouge (Mich.). The bad news is, there are many question marks with the offensive skill positions with the graduation of the dynamic duo of QB Ty'Waun Clark and RB Chris Edmonds. Braswell (150 carries, 508 yards, 6 TD) should fill the void at RB, but there is a competition for the quarterback spot. The Irish also graduated top talents on defense and special teams. That said, Dempsey presumably has plenty of potentially talented players who have simply not yet had their opportunity to excel at the varsity level.
Based on OHSAA enrollment numbers, adjusted for competitive balance, Central Catholic will compete in the Division III playoffs, provided they qualify for the postseason.
“We return our offensive line intact from our championship season,” Dempsey said. “Replacing all of our starters at the skill positions, that [the offensive line is back] is a great starting point. They will be able to provide a good foundation for a great running game and pass protection for a new starting QB.”
ST. JOHN'S
■ Coach: Larry McDaniel, seventh season
■ Last season: 5-6, 5-2 TRAC
■ Top players: Seniors Henry Robie, 6-1, 195, LB-HB; Jackson Turner, 5-10, 170, WR-CB; Carson Coleman, 6-5, 275, OL-DL; Owen Madden, 6-3, 240, , DL-OL; Gage Yackee, 6-2, 195, DL-OL; Eric Brooks, 6-4, 170, WR-QB; Joe Taylor, 6-3, 170, CB-WR; Travis Friddell, 6-3, 215, TE-DE. Juniors Caleb Bowman, 6-3, 240, OL-DL; Aaron Lovett, 6-0, 240, TB; Kayden Grzymkowski, 6-1, 286, OL.
■ Outlook: The Titans enter the CHSL with a 70-player roster that includes 28 seniors and 33 total returning letterwinners, Six offensive and three defensive starters return. Robie and Yackee earned second team All-TRAC honors, Lovett rushed for 598 yards and 6 TDs, and Turner had 28 receptions for 233 yards and two TDs. The biggest graduation losses were that of first team all-district receiver Tommy Gallagher and second team all-district DB Justyn Toler. McDaniel sees the offense as a strength with four starting offensive linemen and Lovett back and knows his young defense must develop quickly for St. John's to have success.
“We have 28 seniors, and I like our class,” McDaniel said. “These guys have provided incredible leadership going into the season. If the young guys embrace their leadership and work ethic, I think we will have the opportunity to be a competitive team in the CHSL.”
ST. FRANCIS
■ Coach: Charles Woolridge, first season
■ Last season: 2-8, 1-6 TRAC
■ Top players: Seniors Traven Horton, 5-10, 190, RB; James Sprott, 5-8, 180, WR-DB. Juniors Corey Swartz, 6-2, 185, QB; RaHeem Brown, 5-9, 170, RB-DB; Drew Tucker, 5-7, 165, WR; Austin Urban, 6-1, 175, WR.
■ Outlook: The Knights are in the most precarious position of the three Toledo teams entering the CHSL, with their fourth head coach in four years, just 10 returning letterwinners, and only two starters returning to the offense and one to the defense. Likely to take some lumps in a meat-grinder of a schedule, St. Francis will have to lay the groundwork for a better future helped by a strong defensive effort. But, with a young and inexperienced group, the growth may come slowly.
“With a new staff and young players, St. Francis football is looking to build a strong, competitive program,” Woolridge said. “We are excited to play in the Detroit Catholic League.”
First Published August 12, 2023, 3:30 p.m.