Detroit Catholic Central opens its title defense Thursday as the No. 1 preseason football team in Oakland County, bringing back several key players from last year’s 14-0 Division 1 state championship squad.
The Oakland Press published its preseason top 10 Monday, Aug. 24, with the Shamrocks at No. 1. Catholic League coaches also voted CC first in the Central Division preseason poll.
Fourth-year head coach Justin Cessante’s team went undefeated last season, finishing with a 42-19 victory over Detroit Cass Tech at Ford Field for the program’s first Division 1 state championship since 2009.
The Shamrocks begin the 2026 season against Chippewa Valley at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, at Tom Adams Field at Wayne State University as part of the Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic. CC beat Chippewa Valley 41-7 in last season’s opener.
Offense returns its backbone
Quarterback Banta, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound senior, returns for his second year as the starter. He remains uncommitted, and Cessante told the Oakland Press on Aug. 18 that he expects Banta to land at a Power Four program.
“There’s a perception he’s not mobile, which is ridiculous (since) he runs a 4.7 (40 time) … You saw him even take off against Cass in the state title game,” Cessante said.
The offensive line also returns nearly intact. Senior tackle Eric Anderson, a Pittsburgh commit listed at 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds, was voted a team captain. He is joined by tackle James Peters, center Austin Woodlock, a Northern Michigan commit, and guard Ryan Richardson.
Benny Eziuka, now at Virginia Tech, is the only player from last season’s starting offensive line who graduated.
Senior Ryan Jaafar and sophomore JJ Chevalier are expected to lead the backfield. Chevalier already holds offers from Auburn, Missouri and Texas Tech.
Two veterans anchor rebuilt defense
The defense lost most of its starters but returns two key contributors.
Senior defensive back Gideon Gash, a Texas Tech commit, has run a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at a Polynesian Bowl Combine and earned combine MVP honors. He is also expected to play a significant role on offense this season.
Senior linebacker Jalen Montlouis, committed to Grand Valley State, recorded 73 tackles in 2025. Gash and Montlouis are the only returning starters from a defense that allowed an average of 10.4 points per game during CC’s five-game playoff run.
Defensive coordinator Joe Mach returns to lead the rebuilt unit. Sophomore Dylan Miller-Ramsey and freshman A’mari Dorsey are among the younger players expected to take on larger roles.
What’s ahead
The Catholic League is celebrating its 100th anniversary during the 2026-27 school year.
After Thursday’s opener against Chippewa Valley, Catholic Central’s schedule includes a Prep Bowl matchup against Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Ford Field.
