MHSAA Withdraws Grand Rapids Catholic Central from 11-Player Football Playoffs

LANSING, MI - The Michigan High School Athletic Association has withdrawn Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School from the 11-Player Division 5 Football Playoffs as a result of its using an ineligible player during the first seven games of the regular season.

Grand Rapids Catholic Central was set to host Comstock Park on Friday (Oct. 30) in a District Semifinal. Instead, Comstock Park will advance to face either Berrien Springs or Lake Odessa Lakewood in a District Final during the first weekend of November. Berrien Springs and Lakewood play their District Semifinal on Friday.

Catholic Central finished the regular season 7-2, including 6-1 with the ineligible player participating. Catholic Central will forfeit those first six games, although the additional victories for its opponents will not affect those teams’ playoff-point averages nor their matchups this week or during the rest of this year’s playoffs.

Catholic Central was notified of the violation and its removal from the postseason today (Oct. 29). “Throughout the investigation, Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s administration has been fully cooperative and highly professional,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said.