Detroit Catholic Central brings its 15-game winning streak home to Novi on Friday, Sept. 4. The defending Division 1 state champions host Davison at 7 p.m. at The Elm/Tom Mach Field.
It will be the Shamrocks' first home game of the 2026 season. The program announced game week on its social media account Monday, Aug. 31.
Catholic Central opened the year with a 55-0 rout of Clinton Township Chippewa Valley on Aug. 27 in the Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State University. The Detroit Free Press reported that the No. 2-ranked Shamrocks built a 41-0 halftime lead and coasted through the second half with reserves.
Senior Gideon Gash, a 6-foot-4 cornerback committed to Texas Tech, scored twice in the opener on a 50-yard interception return and a 45-yard punt return. He added a 27-yard reception. Senior quarterback Duke Banta went 6-for-8 for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Linebacker Jalen Montlouis, committed to Grand Valley State, scored a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown while recording seven tackles on defense.
The opener was lopsided. Still, head coach Justin Cessante found plenty to evaluate.
"We focused on our process and working really hard. … These guys really want their own identity," Cessante told The Detroit News after the Aug. 27 win. "We wanted to set the tone for the season and they sure did."
The Shamrocks returned only two defensive starters from the 2025 squad that went 14-0 and beat Detroit Cass Tech in the state title game at Ford Field. Cessante told The Oakland Press in late July that the team had moved past last season's championship, saying a mantra around the facility is "success has enemies."
The field itself carries history. It is named for Tom Mach, who coached Catholic Central for 41 seasons and compiled a 370-94 record with 10 state championships before retiring in 2017, according to WXYZ. Mach's 370 wins ranked third in MHSAA history at the time.
Cessante is in his fourth year leading the program, per The Oakland Press' Catholic League preview.
Davison enters ranked No. 25 in The Detroit News' preseason top 25, with three returning starters on offense and four on defense.
After Friday's home opener, Catholic Central hosts Windsor Holy Names on Sept. 11 and Warren De La Salle on Sept. 18, both at 7 p.m., according to the Oakland Press schedule.
