Detroit Catholic Central High School

The 2009 Detroit Catholic Central Shamrocks football team, still motivated by a 2008 playoff loss, set out on a quest for an undefeated state championship. Led by legendary coach Tom Mach and strong senior leaders, including captains Mike Kinville, Sam Landry, Butch Herzog, Niko Palazeti, and Jeff Sherman, the team dedicated themselves to intense training. Their strategy centered on controlling the clock, dominating the line of scrimmage, and unleashing their playmakers.

The Shamrocks' defense was formidable, allowing just 5.4 points per game and recording eight shutouts, while their punishing running offense averaged over 33 points per game. After a perfect regular season, they faced a challenging playoff run. The regional final against Canton went into overtime, with Anthony Capatina securing a 31-24 victory. This marked their 12th consecutive win.

In the Division 1 State Championship at Ford Field, Catholic Central met the favored Sterling Heights Stevenson Titans. After Stevenson took an early 3-0 lead, the Shamrocks responded with their trademark running game, featuring touchdowns from Anthony Capatina and Niko Palazeti, building a 21-3 halftime lead. Though Stevenson narrowed the gap, key plays like Sam Landry's fourth-down sneak and Capatina's 99-yard touchdown run, coupled with crucial interceptions by Andrew Nelson and Michael Kinville, sealed the 31-21 victory. This marked Catholic Central's first state football title since 2003 and its first since moving to its Novi campus. 

Row 1: L to R:  Zack Wiggins, Benjamin Diaz, Joe Snyder, Jeff Sherman*, Sam Landry*, Michael Kinville*, Niko Palazeti*, Butch Herzog*, J.C. Savakus, Anthony Capatina, John Jakubik

Row 2: L to R: Joe Widmer, Cameron Borman, Pat MacDonell, Nick Bolig, Paul Baratta, Kyle Tarter, Joseph Pacente, Sean Hannah, David Knuth, Graham Mackie, Richard Heise, Joe Walters

Row 3: L to R:   Andrew Johnson, Corey Smith, Anthony Seling, Jake Liphardt, Josh Kyles, Tom Voutsos, Bob Schultz, Tyler Broughton, Dylan Drewno, Sean Flowerday, Mike Still, Enzo Stante

Row 4: L to R:   Jordan Gates, Ian Mular, Andrew Breaugh, Bob Green, Marco Tonarelli, Matthew Godin, Stone Monarch, John Lawless, Andrew Erickson, Greg Voutsos, Dan Burton

Row 5: L to R: Nick Ebrat, Vaughn Wesley, Louis DiPonio, Justin Messner, Scott Byrne, Michael Tibbits, Miles Trealout, Matt Schertzer, Nathan Wilkins, Brandon Tammaro, Brandon Sullivan

Row 6: L to R:  Armen Nercesian, Andrew Nelson, Michael Birney, Justin D’Agostino, George Darany, Patrick McCarthy, Matt Doneth, Bob Hay, Randall Hamlin

Row 7: L to R:   Assoc. Head Coach Rick Coratti,’69, Coach Michael Carrier ‘06, Coach Dave Lewis ‘79, Coach Todd Lackey ‘93, Coach Dan Anderson, Head Coach Tom Mach, Coach Mark Gagnon, Coach Justin Cessante ‘99, Coach George Kunec ’64, Coach Roy Dudas, Coach Michael Mach ‘03, Joseph Mach ‘03, Athletic Director Aaron Babicz ‘93

Row 8: L to R: Std Mgr: Noah Dreyfuss, Std Mgr: Alex Sheldon-Smith, Trainer Mr. Bob Ogar, Std Mgr: John Vinton, Std Mgr: Tom Schultz