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Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School was banned from the Michigan football playoffs.
Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School will not be competing in the Michigan state football playoffs. The team was banned a little over 24 hours before the start of the postseason.
The Cougars were found to have played an ineligible player. They have been forced to forfeit wins as a result. Their new record has fallen to 1-8 despite finishing the season 7-2.
The school released a statement on the ruling Thursday. It also provided a detailed history of events which led to the forfeitures. They played by the rules, and were still punished.
Catholic Central High School has been banned from the playoffs.
The Cougars are the cream of the crop in Michigan Division 5 high school football. They’ve won six championships over the last 11 years. They were expected to be a contender again in 2026.
Catholic Central was set to enter the postseason as a No. 1 seed. The team went undefeated in league play.
The Cougars were gearing up to face Comstock Park on Friday in the opening round. On Thursday, the school was informed that it was disqualified.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association has withdrawn Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School from the 11-Player Division 5 Football Playoffs as a result of its using an ineligible player during the first seven games of the regular season.
— The D Zone (@TheD_Zone) October 29, 2026
The MHSAA cited the use of an ineligible player. That transfer played in seven games. The Cougars went 6-1 across those contests.
They were forced to forfeit all six wins, leaving only one victory on the books. A new 1-8 record did not qualify for the playoffs. The season will end for players and coaches.
Administration clarifies Michigan high school football ban.
Grand Rapids Catholic Central statement regarding their forfeits: https://t.co/zAS7g9vTKl
— The D Zone (@TheD_Zone) October 29, 2026
In a very detailed explanation, Catholic Central opened up on what transpired behind closed doors. In doing so, it laid some blame on the MHSAA.
The Cougars had a transfer join the team in January. A month later, said player’s old school alleged that the move was athletically motivated.
After a review, the no evidence was found to support the rival’s attempt to expose rule breaking. The player did not compete while the review was underway. He was officially ruled eligible to compete in August.
In mid-October, Catholic Central was notified of new information related to the family’s move. There was a violation of MHSAA policy. The player was again removed from competition amid investigation. He missed the last two games of the year.
Despite cooperation, as well as the initial eligibility ruling, the MHSAA is now punishing the team with a playoff ban. School officials do not believe it is justified. An appeal will take place, but it will not provide the Cougars an opportunity to compete in the postseason.