First Test?: Detroit Catholic Central Prepares for De La Salle

NOVI, Mich. — Detroit Catholic Central has wasted little time establishing itself as one of Michigan’s teams to watch in 2026.

Now, the Shamrocks turn their attention to a familiar Catholic League opponent.

Detroit Catholic Central will host Warren De La Salle on Friday night in a matchup that gives the Shamrocks another opportunity to continue their dominant start to the season.

Catholic Central enters the matchup 3–0, and the numbers through three games have been staggering.

The Shamrocks opened the season with a 55–0 shutout of Chippewa Valley, followed that performance with a 56–14 victory over Davison, and then defeated Windsor Holy Names 56–14 last Friday. 

That’s 167 points scored and just 28 allowed through three games.

For De La Salle, Friday represents an opportunity to respond after suffering its first loss of the season.

The Pilots fell 31–28 to Brother Rice in a game Detroit Varsity Sports covered last week. The result dropped De La Salle to 1–1 after opening its season with a victory. 

That close loss also gives DVS a recent look at the challenge Catholic Central will face.

De La Salle showed against Brother Rice that it can stay within striking distance in a competitive game. Catholic Central, meanwhile, hasn’t played a game decided by fewer than 42 points this season.

Something will have to give Friday night.

Catholic Central quarterback Duke Banta remains one of the names to watch as the Shamrocks continue through their schedule. The Class of 2027 quarterback is part of a Catholic Central program that entered Week 4 receiving significant statewide attention. 

But Friday also marks a shift in the schedule.

After three convincing victories to begin the year, Catholic Central now enters Catholic League play against a De La Salle program looking to bounce back.

For DVS, it also provides another early measuring point in Metro Detroit. We’ve already seen Brother Rice defeat De La Salle. Now we’ll get to see how Catholic Central handles the same opponent one week later.

Kickoff between Detroit Catholic Central and Warren De La Salle is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at Catholic Central in Novi. 

Detroit Varsity Sports will continue following the matchup and the Metro Detroit high school football landscape throughout the 2026 season.