TOLEDO, Ohio — 2023 Record: 16-0 (Division III State Champions)
Head Coach: Greg Dempsey (25th year)
Top Returning Players:
Victor Singleton, Junior DB (All CHSL; 4-star recruit)
Kevin Arnold, Senior WR/DB (All CHSL)
Curtis Strode, Senior OL/DL (All CHSL)
2024 Schedule:
WEEK 1 8/23 vs. Findlay
WEEK 2 8/30 vs. Whitmer
WEEK 3 9/6 @ Catholic Central (MI)*
WEEK 4 9/13 vs. Brother Rice (MI)*
WEEK 5 9/20 @ De La Salle (MI)*
WEEK 6 9/27 @ St. Ignatius
WEEK 7 10/4 vs. St. John's*
WEEK 8 10/11 vs. St. Mary (MI)*
WEEK 9 10/18 @ St. Francis*
WEEK 10 10/25 @ Mona Shores (MI)
*Denotes Catholic High School League game
For a program rich in history, Central Catholic High School football still has a chance to score history. The Fighting Irish head into the 2024 season seeking a third consecutive state championship for the first time.
Last year, CCHS entered the Catholic High School League and blew past the competition. A perfect 5-0 record against schools in Michigan, which included a 48-23 win over Cass Tech at Ford Field in the Prep Bowl, culminated in an undefeated mark.
An OHSAA Division III title puts Central Catholic at 31 victories in a row.
"We set a standard, we've got to stay up to that standard like we do everywhere else," said senior defensive lineman Curtis Strode. "We dominated Ohio, we dominated Michigan, we got to keep dominating everywhere else."
While the streak portrays success, it also highlights the culture of dedication and attention to detail head coach Greg Dempsey has instilled in players (252-33 overall record). Three years ago, the team changed its strength and conditioning program and hasn't looked back.
"It's winning the day. We don't worry about making playoffs or state titles, we want to get better every single day," said defensive coordinator Ryan Brown. "It's that process, which can be tedious at times, but we've got to keep pushing and working through it to get better. This is all they know, hard work and busting their butts every single day."
Senior running back Tyler Morgan is one of nine returning players for the Irish who played a role last season.
"Hopefully we get the three-peat because that's a goal, but the main goal is to win and play together as a team," Morgan said. "We expected our players to graduate. I feel like the team that we have this year can do that since we're developed and mentally strong."
Among the top talents of the group to keep an eye on, Victor Singleton sits atop the list.
"Just pushing our young guys," Singleton, a junior defensive back, said. "Keep telling them that it isn't going to be easy and keep them motivated."
Rated as a four-star athlete by ESPN and 247Sports, Singleton has received 16 Division I offers including Ohio State, Tennessee and Cincinnati. In June, he won a long jump title in track and field.
"Just keep working with the team, don't let it get to my head," Singleton said. "Just keep working for real."
CCHS is having to replace the loss of 11 All-State players to graduation. Yet, the program has proven time and time again that they are eager to embrace the challenge of revamping and reloading.
"When you got your best players working hard during practice, then the other guys have no choice but to meet up to that expectation and standard," Brown said.
Central Catholic is predicted to repeat as CHSL champions according to league's preseason poll.