MHSAA pulls Grand Rapids Catholic Central from 2026 football playoffs

The Michigan High School Athletic Association has whittled the 2026 high school football playoff field by one team the day before action kicks off.

In a press 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 seven games of the season, meaning the Cougars lose those contests.

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), who now advances to the district final next week to await the winner of Berrien Springs vs. Lakewood.

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Catholic Central went 6-1 over the first seven 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 Ford Field.

“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.”

The Grand Rapids Catholic Central athletic department has not responded to the Free Press by the time of publishing.

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Jared Ramsey covers high school sports for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jramsey@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: MHSAA pulls Grand Rapids Catholic Central from 2026 football playoffs