The Central Catholic (Toledo, OH) varsity football team will host Padua Franciscan (Parma, OH) in a playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the “2024 OHSAA High School Football Playoff Brackets (Ohio) – Region 10” tournament.

What: Michigan High School Football
Who: Central Catholic (MI) vs Padua Franciscan (MI)
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Iowa High School
Bracket: 2024 OHSAA High School Football Playoff Brackets (Ohio) – Region 10
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Padua Franciscan vs. Central Catholic: A Season in Review

As the high school football season winds down, a look at two competitive teams in Ohio’s Division I ranks offers insight into their achievements, stats, and unique strengths. Padua Franciscan and Central Catholic both enjoyed strong campaigns, with Padua finishing with an 8-5 record and Central Catholic dominating with a 12-1 overall mark. Here’s a breakdown of how these teams compared in various key areas this season.

Overall Record & Performance

Padua Franciscan, with an 8-5 record, showed a solid performance across the season. They went 2-2 in conference play, with a slightly better record of 4-3 in away games. With an overall win percentage of .615 and a conference win percentage of .500, the team was competitive but faced challenges in high-pressure situations.

In contrast, Central Catholic boasted an impressive 12-1 overall record, which reflects their dominance throughout the season. Their conference play was strong with a 5-1 record, and their overall win percentage of .923 and conference percentage of .833 speak to their consistency. Central Catholic was particularly formidable at home with a perfect 7-0 record, showcasing their ability to protect their turf.

Team Scoring Averages

Scoring was one of the defining differences between the two teams. Padua Franciscan averaged 22.5 points per game over the course of the season, with consistent scoring throughout the four quarters. Their strongest quarter was the third, where they averaged 6.2 points.

On the other hand, Central Catholic demonstrated exceptional offensive efficiency, averaging 33.1 points per game. They excelled in the first quarter with a significant 13.7 points, and even in their low-scoring fourth quarter, they maintained a solid lead. Their ability to score across multiple quarters, combined with their defensive prowess, made them a difficult team to beat.

Key Player Contributions

For Padua Franciscan, the standout player was Roderick Love, who led the team with 173.6 rushing yards per game and 212.5 total yards per game. He also contributed 36.9 receiving yards per game, making him a dynamic player on offense. Love was instrumental in Padua’s success, with a solid average of 14.4 points per game, and his performance in both rushing and receiving made him a key weapon for the team.

Central Catholic also had its share of standout players. Tyler Morgan was a force on the ground, contributing 90.8 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Isaiah Fox threw for 135.0 passing yards per game, and Preston Fryzel added 54.9 receiving yards per game to the team’s offensive production. The balanced offensive attack of Central Catholic helped them put up impressive numbers throughout the season.

Defensive Strengths

Padua Franciscan, with a defensive record of 59.2 tackles per game, relied on its defense to keep games close and maintain competitiveness. Their defensive efforts were anchored by Devin Shaw-Mason, who averaged 12.2 tackles per game, and Vinny Trainer, who contributed 0.5 sacks per game.

Central Catholic, however, didn’t list specific defensive stats, but their overall performance suggested a tough defense that complemented their high-powered offense. The team’s 430 points for and just 159 points allowed illustrate how effective their defensive and special teams units were in supporting their scoring efforts.

Common Opponents

Both teams shared a common opponent in Lutheran West, and each secured a win. Padua Franciscan triumphed 28-0 in their opening game, while Central Catholic cruised to a 49-14 victory later in the season. While both teams defeated Lutheran West, the differing margin of victory might suggest some differences in the way each team approached their opponents.

In-State and Out-of-State Success

Padua Franciscan enjoyed an 8-5 record within the state, while Central Catholic was undefeated at 8-0 in-state. Both teams showed strong performance against out-of-state competition, with Padua going 4-1 and Central Catholic at 4-1, indicating their ability to compete beyond Ohio.

Conclusion

While both teams had impressive seasons, Central Catholic’s dominant record and high-scoring offense set them apart as one of Ohio’s top teams this year. Padua Franciscan, though competitive, faced a more challenging path with a lower win percentage and a tougher conference schedule. As both teams look to the future, Central Catholic’s balanced offensive and defensive units should make them a formidable contender, while Padua Franciscan will aim to build on their strong individual performances for more consistent results.

Ultimately, it’s clear that both teams have the potential to achieve great things, with Padua showing promise in certain areas and Central Catholic proving their elite status in the Ohio high school football scene.