Prediction: Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.) wins state title

The 2025 high school football season will be getting underway in less than six weeks, which means it’s officially preview season. Rivals is breaking down the nation’s top teams from coast-to-coast, and today we head over to the Motor City as Detroit Catholic Central enters the fall as one of the top programs in MHSAA’s Division I classification. The Shamrocks have big-time talent returning on both sides of the ball and are a championship favorite. With some new pieces to the puzzle, can they win their first state title since 2009?

Player Spotlight: WR/CB Samson Gash

Samson Gash heads into his senior season with hopes of leading Detroit Catholic Central to the promised land. Whether he’s lining up at wide receiver, running back or defensive back, the Michigan State commit is always a big-play threat. Last season, Gash earned all-state accolades after totaling more than 1,600 yards of offense to go along with 21 scores. Gash has a chance to top the 2,000-yard mark this fall and cap off his high school career with a state championship.

Others to watch: QB Duke Banta, OL Benjamin Eziuka, DB Gideon Gash, TE Jack Janda

Season Prediction: 8-1

Armed with one of the best high school football players in the state in Samson Gash, its easy to see this Detroit Catholic Central group making a deep postseason run. Even though the Shamrocks will be working in a new starting quarterback, we still see them beating Cass Tech for the state championship this fall.

Game-By-Game Predictions

Aug. 29 – Chippewa Valley (Mich.) Big Reds – W
The Shamrocks open the season with a blowout victory over the Big Reds.

Sept. 5 – at Central Catholic (Ohio) Irish – L
Catholic Central lose a 28-21 heartbreaker to one of Ohio’s top football programs.

Sept. 12 – Clarkson North (Ontario, Can.) Chargers – W
Coming off a loss, the Shamrocks bounce back with a resounding victory over the Chargers.

Sept. 19 – at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Prep (Mich.) Eaglets – W
Detroit Catholic Central makes it two in a row when they defeat the Eaglets on the road.

Sept. 26 – De La Salle Collegiate (Mich.) Pilots – W
The Shamrocks hit the midpoint of the season with a narrow 28-22 victory over the Pilots.

Oct. 5 – Brother Rice (Mich.) Warriors – W 
In the team’s best offensive performance to date, Detroit Catholic Central rolls up 41 points in a blowout win.

Oct. 10 – at St. John’s Jesuit (Ohio) Titans – W
The Shamrocks roll to another huge win.

Oct. 17 – at Grand Ledge (Mich.) Comets – W
Catholic Central improves to 7-1 with a decisive victory over the Comets.

Oct. 24 – at Martin Luther King Jr. (Mich.) Crusaders – W
The Shamrocks close out the season in style as they soundly defeat the Crusaders, 41-14.