In a release on Thursday, Oct. 29, the MHSAA announced it was withdrawing Grand Rapids Catholic Central from the Division 5 playoffs. According to the MHSAA, Grand Rapids Catholic Central used an ineligible player for the first six games of the season, meaning the Cougars forfeit those contests.
Advertisement
In an email to the Free Press, Catholic Central said the player missed three games (Weeks 3, 8 and 9), meaning they had to forfeit five wins. Catholic Central held the player out of the final two games after being notified, according to a statement the school posted to its website.
GR Catholic Central finished the season 7-2 and the top-seeded team in Division 5, according to the MHSAA’s playoff-point system. The Cougars were set to host Comstock Park (4-5), which now advances to the district final next week to await the winner of Berrien Springs vs. Lakewood.
Capturing the best of 2026 Michigan high school football off the field
Romeo fans react in the first quarter during a high school football game at Dakota High School in Macomb on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)
1 / 14
Capturing the best of 2026 Michigan high school football off the field
Romeo fans react in the first quarter during a high school football game at Dakota High School in Macomb on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)
2 / 14
Capturing the best of 2026 Michigan high school football off the field
Romeo High School football players run out onto the field as the Dakota marching band stands at midfield ahead of a game at Dakota High School in Macomb on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)
3 / 14
Capturing the best of 2026 Michigan high school football off the field
Romeo cheerleaders react to a touchdown in the first quarter during a high school football game at Dakota High School in Macomb on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)
4 / 14
Capturing the best of 2026 Michigan high school football off the field
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s cheerleaders perform before the game against Detroit King at St. Mary’s Preparatory High School in Orchard Lake on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Munoz, Detroit Free Press)
5 / 14
Capturing the best of 2026 Michigan high school football off the field
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s fans watch from the stands during a football game against Detroit King at St. Mary’s Preparatory High School in Orchard Lake on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Munoz, Detroit Free Press)
6 / 14
Capturing the best of 2026 Michigan high school football off the field
Detroit King cheerleaders celebrate following the Crusaders’ 44-42 win over Orchard Lake St. Mary’s at St. Mary’s Preparatory High School in Orchard Lake on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Munoz, Detroit Free Press)
7 / 14
Capturing the best of 2026 Michigan high school football off the field
Dearborn fans and cheerleaders react to a touchdown in the first quarter during a high school football game at Dearborn High School in Dearborn on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)
8 / 14
Capturing the best of 2026 Michigan high school football off the field
Dearborn cheerleaders perform not he sideline in the first quarter during a high school football game at Dearborn High School in Dearborn on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)
9 / 14
Capturing the best of 2026 Michigan high school football off the field
The Dearborn marching band performs at half time during a high school football game between Dearborn High School and Crestwood High School in Dearborn on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)
10 / 14
Capturing the best of 2026 Michigan high school football off the field
Crestwood fans react to a play in the third quarter during a high school football game at Dearborn High School in Dearborn on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)
11 / 14
Capturing the best of 2026 Michigan high school football off the field
Dearborn fans cheer after a touchdown in the first quarter during a high school football game at Dearborn High School in Dearborn on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)
12 / 14
Capturing the best of 2026 Michigan high school football off the field
Cass Tech cheerleaders perform during game against Michigan City during the first half of the Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State University in Detroit, Friday, August 28, 2026.
(Kimberly P. Mitchell, Detroit Free Press)
13 / 14
Capturing the best of 2026 Michigan high school football off the field
Detroit Catholic Central Shamrocks’ fans take their shirts off to wave them in the air like rally flags during the MHSAA game at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in Orchard Lake, Friday, October 9, 2026.
(Kimberly P. Mitchell, Detroit Free Press)
14 / 14
Capturing the best of 2026 Michigan high school football off the field
Detroit King cheerleaders shout during the PSL Blue Division championship game at Ford Field in Detroit on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026.
(Brendan Mullin, Special to Detroit Free Press)
Catholic Central went 5-1 over the first six games of the season. The forfeited wins will not impact other teams’ playoff points or change any other part of the bracket. Catholic Central was ranked No. 3 in Division 5 and considered one of the favorites to reach the state finals at Ford Field.
Advertisement
“Throughout the investigation, Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s administration has been fully cooperative and highly professional,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said in a written statement.
In its online statement, Catholic Central said the student in question enrolled in the school in January 2026. His previous school filed a complaint saying it was an athletically motivated transfer, which the MHSAA found unsupported in May, according to the statement.
The student moved over the summer and the MHSAA issued a letter to confirm his eligibility, according to CC.
“On October 15th, the MHSAA notified Catholic Central that new information about the family’s former residence, which claims the family is in violation of the MHSAA’s residential change policy, was submitted for their review,” the school said in its statement. “Although the MHSAA did not require it, we voluntarily held the student-athlete out of the season’s last two games while the matter was reviewed.”
Advertisement
The MHSAA ruled on Thursday to withdraw Catholic Central from the playoffs for use of an ineligible player. According to the MHSAA, the issue came from the student not making a “full and complete” change of residence. The family must provide documentation that the student and parents reside in the new residency, all personal belongings have been moved from the prior residence and mail is addressed to the new residence. The former residence must be vacant or sold to a non-family member.
“This rule applies regardless of whether a student is transferring from a public to public, public to non-public, non-public to public or non-public to non-public school,” the MHSAA said in an email to the Free Press.
“Last Friday, the MHSAA informed us that an investigation related to the student-athlete’s eligibility would continue, but our team was cleared to participate in the postseason,” GRCC said. “We are in disbelief that this decision was issued today, just over 24 hours before kicking off the postseason.”
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
:quality(85):upscale()/2026/11/06/066/n/1922564/7f5256156aee7272a123a4.22095875_.jpg "Charli DAmelio Says Velvet Suits Are the New Holiday Party Dress")
