Toledo Central Catholic ran the table in 2023 with a perfect 16-0 overall record. They beat Bishop Watterson in the Ohio Division 3 State Championship game 27-7. The Fighting Irish have won back-to-back championships and six total in school history.
Greg Dempsey completed his 24th season as head coach and has built his program into one of the best in the Midwest. He was the Division 3 Northwest Ohio District Coach of the Year. His team will enter the 2024 season riding a 31-game win streak and have a 109-14 record since 2015. Their last loss was to St. Edward in Week 1 of the 2022 season.
Outside the state finals, the Fighting Irish beat some impressive teams on their way to a championship last season. They had wins against Findlay, Detroit Catholic Central (MI), Warren DeLaSalle (MI), Cass Tech (MI), Defiance, and Chardon.
Dempsey and his staff do a terrific job developing his underclassmen and giving them plenty of game reps during the season. The experience they gain helps them reload each year. A new class, a new crop of talent, a team that is always a state title contender, and never misses a beat from season to season.
Offense
Central Catholic’s offense averaged 39.6 points per game in 2023. They graduated several highly-touted blue-chip prospects. Marc Nave (Kentucky), Jaylen Watson (Iowa), Elijah Williams (Kent State), and 1,700-yard rusher Marquan Braswell (Northwood).
As we look at the Irish’s returning offensive talent, we must start with Preston Fryzel and Tyler Morgan. Fryzel is a 6’4”, 210-pound receiver who projects to be a tight end in the 2026 recruiting class. He was a big threat in the passing game with his size, speed, route running, and ball skills. Preston has over a dozen early offers, including Kentucky, Louisville, Pittsburgh, and Minnesota. Morgan rushed for 1,010 yards and 25 touchdowns as a junior. He is fast, shifty, and a dangerous weapon with the ball in his hands.
In addition to Fryzel and Morgan, the Irish have Sharad Vaughn (6’0”, 200), Desmond Flowers (6’0”, 175), Kayden Zoeller (5’11”, 175), and Dantoni Callaway, all returning at wide receiver. Vaughn’s role will increase, being the number two option in the passing game. He is one of the top 2026 receivers in Northwest Ohio and has an early offer from UMass. Flowers is a 2-way player who showed flashes of greatness last season. We expect him to flourish in his senior year. Zoeller is a nice route runner who caught 19 passes for 260 yards as a junior. Callaway has all the tools to give the Irish another promising receiver who can make plays.
Isaiah Fox is projected to be the new starting quarterback for the Irish. He got some quality time last year as a junior. At 6’3” 200-pound, Fox throws a nice ball and will be able to shine in his senior season. He has a lot of weapons to throw to in 2024.
Leading the way in the trenches will be senior offensive guard Jamarion Rushing. Rushing is a 6’6”, 320-pound beast on the interior who can open some big holes and dominate the line of scrimmage. Tyler Britsch (6’3”, 270) and Kevon Harrison (6’3”, 270) are 2026 offensive linemen who were moved up to varsity as sophomores mid-way through last season. Britsch is a strong run blocker who loves to finish. Harrison is physical at the point of attack and a fierce competitor.
To compliment Morgan in the backfield, 2026 running back Anthony Sylvester (5’11”, 195) will be another talented player who will get a lot of touches in the Irish offense.
Defense
The defense was dominant in 2023, allowing only 10.4 points per game. The Irish graduated five 1st Team All-District defensive performers.
On the defensive line, the Irish have some depth up front returning. Antiwon Brown (6’0”, 235) and Ke’Mar Walker (6’3”, 290) are both seniors Zenaje Liggons (6’3”, 255) and Derick Mills (5’11”, 280) are juniors. Christopher Sanders (6’0”, 290), Tyson Werner (6’2”, 270), and Jason Molden (6’4”, 235) are sophomores in the 2027 class.
At the second level, Central has two Division 1 prospects coming back. Michael Besteda and Dom Spinazze. Besteda is an inside backer with great instincts and the range to track down opposing ball carriers. Spinazze is a 6’4”, 235-pound linebacker with excellent size, athleticism, and a nose for the ball. He will get moved around often, and you may see him off the edge. Jermarihane Morgan (5’11”, 195) is projected to start at linebacker after a nice junior season.
In the secondary, the Fighting Irish have their best blue-chip prospect returning. Victor Singleton (6’0”, 160) was spectacular last season and emerged as a 5-star recruit during the offseason. He has picked up scholarship offers from almost every major Power 4 college in the country. He is a lockdown corner who led the team in interceptions. Kevin Arnold, Desmond Flowers, and Jacob Spears (5’8”, 160) were all important players helping the Irish last season.
2024 Schedule
The Irish will be tested early in the first two weeks against Findlay on August 23 and Whitmer on August 30. Both have strong teams and some great returning talent. They have another tough non-conference game against St. Ignatius in week 5. Their two rivalry games against Toledo St. Johns and Toledo St. Francis will be in weeks 7 and 9, respectively.
In 2024, Central Catholic will play five Michigan high schools: Detroit Catholic Central, Warren DeLaSalle, Orchard Lake St. Mary, Muskegon Mona Shores, and Birmingham Brother Rice.
2024 Outlook
Greg Dempsey has a proven track record of being a state title contender yearly. Even with a lot of new starters on both sides of the ball, Central has enough firepower and young talent to be in the mix in late November. They have some star players, with Victor Singleton, Preston Fryzel, and Tyler Morgan. These three will give opposing teams problems all season long. The Irish have several players ready for breakout seasons.
