Hall of Fame
Coach Tom Mach and Defensive Coordinator Rick Coratti commented that this may have been the greatest football team in Catholic Central (CC) history. The team exemplified outstanding leadership and was led throughout the season by co-captains Chris Barbara (Team MVP), Joe Herman (All-State), Joe Suhjada (All-State), and Joe Lopez. [Spectrum]
CC began the year with a Silverdome victory over Toledo St. John (36-0) and then, aided by a Joe Herman interception, proceeded to steal a victory from the referees, the state of Ohio and Toledo St. Francis (20-14). Moving on, the Shamrocks took care of business knocking off “favored” St. Martin DePorres (15-6) who was undefeated and unscored upon, and Brother Rice 14-7 in a barn burner. The Shamrocks regained the Catholic League title with another “Dome” victory over DePorres (17-6). The Shamrocks defeated Mumford and kicked their way to a Michigan High School Athletic Association District Title over Troy (9-6). The same could be said about the next game against Utica Eisenhower, in which Fred Taylor and the special teams carried the Shamrocks to a comeback 17-14 overtime victory.
In the State Championship game against new rival Saginaw Arthur Hill, Coach Mach commented “We were down three times during the game and fought back refusing to lose. It was one of the finest displays of CC guts and courage against an equally talented opponent. We had excellent preparation and pinpoint execution. It took both to win the State Championship.” “The Magic was in Believing.” The big play in the game was Chris Barbara pitching to Fred Taylor who launched a dart to Brady Pankow for the TD, which covered 60 yards. The Shamrock defense stopped the Lumberjacks’ final drive to complete the 21-20 Shamrock victory. [Shamrock 1993]
Other post-season honors included Aaron Babicz (All-State Dream Team), Jason Krueger (All-State), and Paul Nemzek (Rugged Jug). And finally, the 1992 Catholic Central Shamrock Football team was ranked 9th nationally.
