Division 1 State Final Recap: Detroit Catholic Central (14-0) Defeats Cass Tech (13-1) to Win the Championship
By Donovan Fann
The Division 1 State Championship delivered one of the most anticipated matchups in years: undefeated No. 1 Cass Tech vs. undefeated No. 2 Detroit Catholic Central. With Ford Field packed and electric, the Shamrocks delivered a dominant performance from start to finish, overpowering Cass Tech 42–19 to complete a perfect 14–0 season.
Below is a quarter-by-quarter breakdown based entirely on verified game updates from The D Zone.
1st Quarter — DCC Strikes First
Detroit Catholic Central struck first behind a perfectly placed 46-yard touchdown pass from 2027 QB Duke Banta to 2027 WR/CB Gideon Gash down the sideline. Cass Tech blocked the extra point, but the Shamrocks still led 6–0 after their opening statement drive. Cass responded with a big play from star 2026 WR/CB/S Corey “CJ” Sadler, but ultimately the Technicians stalled and punted. DCC controlled the tempo for the remainder of the first quarter and led 6–0 after one.
2nd Quarter — Shamrocks Take Control
In the second quarter, the Shamrocks opened things up. Cass Tech’s offense struggled with repeated penalties — delay of game flags, false starts, and miscommunications. Meanwhile, DCC capitalized. 2026 QB/OLB Joshua Peters scored on a 5-yard touchdown run after the Cass defense bit on jet motion from Samson Gash. That extended the DCC lead to 13–0 late in the half. Cass went into halftime frustrated, unsettled, and fortunate to still be within two scores.
3rd Quarter — DCC Takes Full Control
Detroit Catholic Central opened the second half with another major defensive stand. Cass Tech’s attempt to push the ball downfield ended abruptly when 2026 S/OLB Beckett Glynn intercepted Donald Tabron II, who was hit as he released the throw. The turnover ended a crucial Cass drive and kept momentum firmly on DCC’s side.
DCC capitalized shortly after, adding points and stretching their lead. Cass Tech responded with a highlight moment — a diving catch by 2029 WR/CB Peyton Robinson down to the 1-yard line, followed by a short TD run from 2028 RB Julian Taylor to make it 20–7. But every time Cass Tech showed life, Catholic Central answered with another big play, maintaining a multi-score lead heading into the fourth.
4th Quarter — DCC Pulls Away
DCC added a key field goal by 2027 K Ty Goddard from 22 yards, then continued leaning on its ground game. Cass Tech’s miscues returned with a costly fumble recovered by DCC at the Cass 5-yard line. The Shamrocks punched in another score shortly afterward, extending the lead to 29–7.
Late in the fourth quarter, Cass Tech finally found some rhythm again. Tabron II connected with North Carolina commit Corey Sadler Jr. for a 15-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 29–13. Sadler battled through the drive despite having his helmet knocked off twice. But the celebration was short-lived. On the next DCC possession, the Shamrocks delivered the knockout blow when Penn State commit Benjamin Eziuka jumped a pass for a pick-six, pushing the DCC lead to 42–13.
Cass added one more late touchdown — a 2026 WR/CB/S Will Sykes Jr. catch from Tabron with 14 seconds remaining — but it was too late to change the outcome. DCC took victory formation moments later, sealing a commanding 42–19 win and completing a perfect championship season under the lights at Ford Field.
The Final Whistle
For Cass Tech, the loss was emotional. Many seniors played their final snaps of high school football on one of the biggest stages in the state, a painful ending for a team that had been dominant all year. But their fight until the final whistle, especially in the fourth quarter, spoke volumes about their pride and competitive spirit.
Detroit Catholic Central, meanwhile, finishes 14–0 and brings home another state championship — a balanced, disciplined, and physically overwhelming team that rose to the moment and left no doubt who the best team in Michigan was this season.
