TOLEDO, Ohio — Central Catholic is heading to the Division III State Championship Friday in Canton, a repeat trip from last year and the program’s sixth time under head coach Greg Dempsey.
“There’s a tradition these kids want to carry, they don’t want to be the class that drops the ball, so to speak," Dempsey said. "So they’re always looking to be the class that makes sure we don’t take a step backward and make sure we keep moving forward."
The Irish currently hold a perfect 15-0 record. They will face Columbus' Bishop Watterson, which has only dropped one game this season.
“They’re intense they’re gonna come out, they’re not gonna lay down, it’s the state championship game," said junior running back Tyler Morgan. "It’s the best two teams left, now we've got to show who the No. 1 team really is."
The players attribute their consistent success to their strong brotherhood and the hard work mentality that the coaches have instilled in them since day one.
“Nobody’s bigger than the team, no matter if you’re five-star or got no stars," said senior wide receiver Jaylen Watson. "Whenever your number is called we expect you to make that play. And if you don’t, we're going to help you up as a brother to keep going I feel like us staying as one, next year's team is one big thing, stay together no matter if you lose or keep winning."
“Part of it is respect," Morgan added. "We respect the time coaches are putting into us and we’re grateful that they’re giving us a chance to show and prove that we’re capable of doing things that are undone."
A win this Friday would be the first time Central Catholic football secures back-to-back titles in program history. The players said they hope to do it not only for their school but for the city of Toledo, too.
"Us playing right now is a blessing and being able to be with these guys for this long in the season and trying to do this thing for the second time around, not too many people can say that," said senior offensive lineman Marc Nave. "Just staying true to the process our coaches have been instilling in us since day one and it’s been paying off."
Dempsey added that he hopes the players will take the experience and values from the program with them when they eventually move on from their time with Central Catholic football.
“What they’ve done the last two years, seniors in particular as a group, they’re breathing rare air," he said. "It’s not something people get to do a lot, I hope they look back upon it and be grateful for the guys they played with, the school they went to and the opportunities they had."