Hall of Fame
The 2002 edition of Shamrock football was impressive. Ranked number 1 in the preseason and led by captains Dan Moore (All-State and Team Co-MVP), Pat Clark (All-State and Rugged Jug), Greg Arrowsmith, Kevin McKee, and Brian Hanley, the running of Derek Brooks (All-State and Team Co-MVP) and the play of Randell Means (All State) the Shamrocks kept their #1 ranking in the Super 10 Rankings all season.
Working with the themes “Taking it to the Limit,” and “Finish,” the Catholic Central (CC) football team did so with a 13-1 season record on their way to consecutive Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Division I Football State Championships. [Shamrock Yearbook]
CC started the season with a victory over Detroit Crockett (44-6), followed by wins over London CC (45-6), Detroit DePorres (24-10), a very emotional win over Brother Rice (21-14), Country Day (45-14), U of D Jesuit (14-0) and DeLaSalle (35-0). In the postseason, CC captured the Catholic High School League (CHSL) Championship with a 45-17 win over Divine Child. In the MHSAA State tournament, CC started with a 35-7 victory over Livonia Stevenson and won the MHSAA District Championship with a 24-7 win over Canton. Next up was the MHSAA Regional, where the Shamrocks earned that title by defeating Novi 26-3. The Shamrocks completed the “Back-to-Back” MHSAA Division I State Championships with a 36-26 victory over East Kentwood.
Coach Mach said, “Our football team was strongly committed to repeat as State Champions. They worked extremely hard to make this goal a reality and brought home a repeat “State Championship.” We’re proud of their great teamwork and commitment. They espoused the toughness of our players as they brought a winning attitude to every practice and every game for two straight years."
