Detroit Catholic Central defeated Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 55-0 in the Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State University on Thursday, August 27, 2026. Senior Gideon Gash led the Shamrocks with three touchdowns, including two punt returns and an interception returned for a touchdown.
Gash set the tone early with a 30-yard punt return, running through multiple defenders. He then intercepted a pass and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown. Gash finished with one reception for 27 yards and a second 45-yard punt return touchdown just before halftime, establishing a significant lead for Catholic Central. “We have been practicing that for months in the summer just to set those opportunities up,” Gash said. “I’m blessed that I have great blockers.”
The Shamrocks, coming off a 14-0 season and Division 1 state championship in 2025, jumped on Chippewa Valley immediately. Junior defensive end Josiah Neal recorded a tackle for loss and forced an incompletion on the first two plays. Chippewa Valley did not achieve a first down until their fourth possession, and each drive in the first half included at least one play going backward. Coach Justin Cessante stated, “We have so much confidence that he has a lot of potential to execute at a high level,” referring to Neal.
Jalen Montlouis, verbally committed to Grand Valley State, contributed with two tackles for loss on defense and both a two-yard rushing touchdown and a 22-yard receiving touchdown from quarterback Duke Banta, who avoided a sack to make the pass. Montlouis expressed optimism, saying, “This is a good start. I’m happy with how we prepared for this game. We have 13 more weeks, God willing, to finish it out.” Banta completed six of eight passes for 94 yards.
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