The Michigan High School Athletic Association has removed Grand Rapids Catholic Central from the 2026 MHSAA 11-player football playoffs after determining the school used an ineligible player during the first seven games of the regular season.
The decision, announced Thursday, Oct. 29, eliminates the Cougars from the Division 5 postseason just one day before their scheduled district semifinal against Comstock Park on Friday, Oct. 30.
Comstock Park Advances
Grand Rapids Catholic Central finished the regular season with a 7-2 record. According to the MHSAA, the school will forfeit its first seven games because the ineligible player participated in those contests.
Comstock Park will advance in the Division 5 bracket and face either Berrien Springs or Lake Odessa Lakewood in a district final scheduled for the first weekend of November. Berrien Springs and Lakewood are scheduled to meet Friday in their district semifinal.
The MHSAA also clarified that the additional victories awarded to opponents through the forfeitures will not change those teams’ playoff-point averages or their playoff matchups this season.
MHSAA Acknowledges School’s Cooperation
MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said Grand Rapids Catholic Central was notified of the violation and its removal from the postseason on Thursday.
“Throughout the investigation, Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s administration has been fully cooperative and highly professional,” Uyl said.
The MHSAA stated it would have no further comment at this time.
The decision is a major development in Michigan’s high school football postseason, changing the Division 5 district semifinal and opening a path for Comstock Park to advance without playing its originally scheduled game.
Detroit Varsity Sports will continue to follow the latest MHSAA playoff developments.
