It was the 82nd Boys Bowl as Detroit Catholic Central hosted Toledo Central Catholic in a game that pitted the best in Michigan against one of the best from Ohio. Who would come out on top in the game? Would it be the reigning Division 1 champs from Michigan, or would it be the runners-up in Ohio’s Division III? In the end, it would be the might of Detroit Catholic Central that would come out on top 31-12, but it would come at a cost for them.
Toledo Central Catholic
Fuller’s House
It was a full house for Toledo Central Catholic, and the head of that house was senior Jeremiah Fuller. While he didn’t have his best game, Fuller still ran for 63 yards, including breaking off three big runs for his team.
While Fuller is the senior leader for his team, his quarterback might be one of the best we’ve seen throwing the ball downfield. That quarterback is former Belleville quarterback Lincoln Sellers. Sellers, a sophomore, completed 19 of 32 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns. However, he also threw two interceptions in the game.
Out wide, players like Amari Eliano, Robert Douglas III, and David Yharbrough all had good games and showed out, but it was Yharbrough who had the best night of the three receivers as he had 96 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions. Eliano was their big-play target as he had 88 yards and a touchdown on three receptions. The good news for them is they don’t have to play Detroit Catholic Central anymore, but the bad news is they still have two very tough opponents on the schedule.
Special Teams, Special Issues
Special teams was an issue early in the game for Toledo Central Catholic. On the first two touchdowns for Catholic Central, Toledo jumped offsides on the point-after attempts, even though all season Catholic Central has done the same thing on their point-after tries. That led to one good two-point attempt and one that failed.
Not only did they jump on the extra-point tries, but they also allowed a big-time punt return for a score as Gideon Gash took it back 55 yards.
Detroit Catholic Central
Defensive Stand
The defensive unit for Detroit Catholic Central was a powerhouse for them in the game vs. Toledo Central Catholic. Luke Jadan might have had the biggest game as he had a big interception that he said postgame was like he blacked out on the interception and just kept running. He also had a big fumble recovery in the game. Gideon Gash also had a big pass breakup in the game as Toledo Central Catholic was driving in the second half.
Alien
There is life on other planets, and one of them has found their way to Earth. That alien is Gideon Gash. Gash is an otherworldly athlete, and he showed it in all three phases of the game. On offense, he had 87 yards and two touchdowns on five receptions. He also had a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown. He also played lockdown corner and had a big pass breakup in the second half as Toledo Central Catholic was driving.
Wildcat
Detroit Catholic Central might need to run some wildcat down the stretch with Gideon Gash or Ryan Jaafar. Why might they have to do that with one of the best quarterbacks in the state? It’s because quarterback Duke Banta went down with a shoulder injury at the end of the first half.
After that injury, the offense seemed to stall a bit, especially since Toledo Central Catholic knew the run was coming on the majority of the plays in the second half. If Banta is forced to miss the rest of the season, Detroit Catholic Central will need to find a way to move the ball that isn’t just on the ground.
Bear’s Final Take
Toledo Central Catholic may have lost this game, but they are one of the best around. They have the players to cause fits for opposing teams. While they are led by Jeremiah Fuller, this team is more than just him as they also have an amazing quarterback and three stud receivers who can make big-time plays.
After winning the state title last year, Detroit Catholic Central is now at a crossroads with the injury to quarterback Duke Banta that could possibly keep him out for the rest of the season. However, they are one of the teams that have the depth and players that might be able to withstand the injury, however long that might be. They will just need to lean heavily on the rest of their core group of players, like Gideon Gash and Ryan Jaafar.