Today, I continue my preview of Michigan's Top 10 teams for the upcoming 2017 season. Today's post looks at my No. 2-ranked squad -- Detroit Catholic Central.
2. Detroit Catholic Central- Last season's record (13-1, Division 1 state runner-up, lost to Detroit Cass Tech 49-20 in D-1 championship game).
Top players- Isaac Darkangelo-6-1, 230-Sr.-LB-RB, Nick Carey-6-7, 295-Sr.-OT, Matt Young-6-1, 225-Sr.-LB-FB, Cam Ryan-6-0, 220-Sr.-RB-LB, Andrew Paxton-6-4, 285-Sr.-OT-DT, Carson Kovath-6-1, 215-Sr.-LB, Jake Hinshaw-6-1, 180-Sr.-QB, Mike Harding-6-5, 225-Jr.-TE, Marco Genrich-5-10, 180-Jr.-QB, Parker Bohland-5-8, 160-Jr.-RB, Keegan Koehler-5-11, 170-Jr.-RB.
Season opener- vs. Sterling Heights Stevenson (1-9 last season) at Catholic Central, Aug. 25. Last year, the Shamrocks defeated the Titans 42-0.
Interesting program tidbit- The schedule. Catholic Central's schedule just might be the most difficult in the state this year. Besides a full slate of always hard, physical and highly competitive Catholic League opponents in perennial powers Birmingham Brother Rice, Orchard Lake St. Mary's, U-D Jesuit and Warren DeLaSalle, the Shamrocks will square off against top Ohio programs Cleveland St. Ignatius, Toledo Whitmer and Dayton Dunbar this year. Dunbar (7-3 last season) is led by senior WR Joseph Scates (6-4, 180, Alabama, Oklahoma, Michigan State, LSU offers). Whitmer (8-3 last year) has slowly built quite a rivalry with Catholic Central. The Panthers and Shamrocks have played each other every season since 2012, with Whitmer holding a 3-2 lead in the series. Last year, Catholic Central defeated the Panthers 29-7. St. Ignatius (13-2 last season) finished as Ohio's "Big School" state runner-up losing to Cincinnati St. Xavier 27-20 (OT) a year ago. The Wildcats' only other loss last season was to Catholic Central 28-21 (OT). It's interesting both states' "Big School" state runners-up played each other last year, with the Shamrocks coming out on top. Look for this season's game to be hotly contested. St. Ignatius will host Catholic Central in Week 4 this year, with the Shamrocks taking on rival and fellow traditional national power, Birmingham Brother Rice the following week. The Shamrocks, though I'm sure they won't, cannot look past the Wildcats (5-4 in 2015, 7-5 in 2014), one of Ohio's legendary programs, in anticipation of their annual rivalry grudge match with the Warriors.
Overview- It'll be a new era for Catholic Central football in 2017, as longtime head coach Tom Mach hung up his whistle after an incredible 41 years with the Shamrocks. Replacing Mach will be former Shamrock assistant coach/defensive coordinator Dan Anderson. Anderson spent the past 18 years coaching alongside Mach. Mach closed out his Hall-of-Fame career third all-time in wins (370) in Michigan high school football history, with 10 state championships and seven state runner-up finishes. Under Anderson, I get the feeling Catholic Central will continue to be a state and national juggernaut, focusing on power football, execution, sure tackling and a winning mentality on and off the field. Leading this season's squad will be a quartet of powerful, intense and strong running backs-linebackers in seniors Isaac Darkangelo (6-1, 230), Cam Ryan (6-0, 220), Matt Young (6-1, 225) and Carson Kovath (6-1, 215, 4.6 40). While the aforementioned quartet bring the thunder, the lightning will come from junior TBs Parker Bohland (5-8, 155) and Keegan Koehler (5-11, 170). Upfront, long a Shamrock strength, seniors OT Nick Carey (6-7, 295, Virginia, Iowa State offers), OT-DT Andrew Paxton (6-4, 285) and OG-DT Joe Natoci (6-1, 250) will open the running lanes. At quarterback, senior Jake Hinshaw (6-1, 180) and junior Marco Genrich (5-10, 180) will compete for the top job under center this season for Catholic Central. Tight end Mike Harding (6-5, 225) will provide a nice, big and athletic target for either QB this year for the Shamrocks. Defensively, Darkangelo, Kovath, Ryan and Young will make plays all over the field for Catholic Central at linebacker, while Harding should be a stalwart at defensive end for the Shamrocks.
Up next- No. 1-ranked Detroit King.
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