by Toledo Central Catholic Fighting Irish advance in their first playoff game against the Lutheran West Longhorns 49-14. The Fighting Irish started very strong, jumping out to a 28-0 led by the end of the first quarter. By halftime it was already 42-0. The Longhorns did finally get points on the board in the third quarter by a passing touchdown from Jace Palmer. In the fourth, the Longhorns outscored Central Catholic but by then it was too late.
TCC quarterback Isaiah Fox started the game and threw for five completions, 141 yards, and three touchdowns. Ali Beydoun came on for him and threw for 55 yards and a touchdown. They had many receivers to choose from as five different players ended the game with 25 or more yards. Jacob Spears led them 55, but Preston Fryzel, Lavelle Stokes III, Sharard Vaughn III, and Tyler Morgan followed not far behind. The run game was also spread out, as multiple players had considerable amount of touches. Tyler Morgan led them with 36, but Isiaiah Fox and Jerome Davis V both had 33 rushing yards. Kevin Arnold III and Dantoni Calloway led the Fighting Irish on the other side of the ball pulling in the tackles on defense.
The Longhorns main source of offense was found in the passing game, a rarity. The rushing game got nothing going as their key player J’Leon Isom only had 11 yards. However, it was the passing game that thrived. Jace Palmer had 124 yards passing and two touchdowns. His main target was Michael Verhun, who finished with a team high 63 yards and a touchdown. Palmer’s other receivers were J’Leon Isom who had six receiving yards with a touchdown, De’Von McDougle with 45 yards, and Maurice Wynn with 11. On the defensive side of the ball it was a team effort- Denver Scott, Jack Kiousis, De’Von McDougle, Maxwell Jenkins, and Winner Divison all had three or more tackles.
Toledo Central Catholic will take on Revere who defeated Copley, as they heard toward their third straight state championship. Lutheran West finishes the season 2–9.
