Detroit Catholic Central dominates Cass Tech in second half en route to Division I state championship 42-19

Read about how the game unfolded on Sunday night in Detroit

Detroit Catholic Central Jalen Montlouis (24) runs the ball during the Prep Bowl against Detroit King at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. / David Rodriguez Munoz / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

DETROIT — The No. 2 Detroit Catholic Central Shamrocks (14-0) took down the No. 1 Cass Tech Technicians (13-1) 42-19 on Sunday at Ford Field to win the 2025 Division I MHSAA state championship.

The majority of the game was controlled by Catholic Central. The Shamrocks grabbed a lead on the first drive of the game with a 41-yard connection between junior QB Duke Banta and junior WR/DB Gideon Gash.

The teams then traded blows - keeping each other out of the end zone - until the middle of the second quarter. Senior Catholic Central WR/DB Samson Gash, (Michigan State commit & the older brother of Gideon) showed his Big Ten-level playmaking ability with a 48-yard punt return. It set up the Shamrocks with 25 yards to go to the goal line, and they eventually cashed in with a five-yard touchdown from senior running back Joshua Peters.

Samson Gash said he's proud of his little brother.

"Me and him have been battling since we can remember, and that's my best friend right there," Samson Gash said. "Seeing him ball out today, it just brings so much joy to me, and I wouldn't trade it for the world."

Cass Tech had just 89 yards of total offense at halftime. Coming out of the half, the Technicians dug themselves a hole, throwing an interception on their opening drive and subsequently letting up another touchdown.

Down 20-0, Cass Tech managed to march down the field and find the end zone with a one-yard run from sophomore RB/LB Julian Taylor. Junior Catholic Central DE/TE Kaden Gonzales came up with a strip-sack on Tabron early in the fourth quarter, and his team capitalized with a field goal, pushing the lead to 23-7.

Senior Shamrock TE/DE Hunter Stokes said the defense was focused on getting to the quarterback.

"Our whole game plan was just to make (Cass Tech QB Donald Tabron II) uncomfortable," Stokes said. "We saw on film that he was sitting still in the pocket, and we just had to get home and make him as uncomfortable as possible, and the defense took care of it from there."

The Shamrocks forced Tabron to turn the ball over three times, including a pick-six from senior OL/DL Benny Eziuka (Penn State commit) late in the game. Marvin Rushing, head coach of Cass Tech, said the Shamrocks deserved the victory with how they played.

"They took it to us. Not that I'm happy with the outcome, but they earned it," Rushing said. "It's been a long time coming for their get-back, and my job is to get us back here and hopefully play them again next year."

By the time the clock hit triple zeroes, Catholic Central added several more scores. CJ Sadler (North Carolina commit) had a slow first half for Cass Tech, but the senior ended with 11 catches, 130 yards and a touchdown. The win marks the 11th title in program history for the Shamrocks, and their first since 2009. It is also the first time Catholic Central has beaten Cass Tech in the state championship, losing in 2016, 2012 and 2011.

For Detroit Catholic Central, the offensive path to victory began with the running game. The Shamrocks outgained the Technicians 155-73 on the ground, including a game-high 72 yards from senior RB Cedric Williams. Gideon Gash turned in a Randy Moss-type statline of three catches, 126 yards and three touchdowns.

Senior DB/WR Luca Genrich was a large part of Catholic Central's success on defense, as he posted six tackles, 1.0 sacks and 1.0 TFLs. Junior Shamrock LB/HB Jalen Montlouis led all players with eight tackles.

Cass Tech vs. Detroit Catholic Central: Live score updates of Michigan high school football Division 1 championship

FIRST QUARTER UPDATES

Cass Tech kicked the opening kickoff out of bounds, and the Shamrocks will take over on their 35 yard line.

TOUCHDOWN! Junior Shamrock QB Duke Banta finds junior WR/DB Gideon Gash for a 41-yard strike down the sideline for the first touchdown of the game. After a missed PAT, Catholic Central leads Cass Tech 6-0. - 7:44 Q1

Senior Catholic Central RB/SS Connor Ryan nearly caught an interception, and Cass Tech called a timeout to follow with 21 seconds left in the opening quarter. The Technicians are on their 28 yard line down 6-0.

At the end of the first quarter, Cass Tech trails Catholic Central 6-0. The Technicians are also behind in total offense, as they have gained 28 yards as a unit, compared to 82 for the Shamrocks.

END OF FIRST QUARTER: Catholic Central 6, Cass Tech 0

SECOND QUARTER UPDATES

The Shamrocks forced Cass Tech to punt, and senior WR/DB Samson Gash (Michigan State commit) returned it 48 yards to set his team up on the opposing 25 yard line. - 5:39 Q2

TOUCHDOWN! Senior Catholic Central RB/LB Joshua Peters runs it in from five yards out. The Shamrocks lead Cass Tech 13-0. - 2:45 Q2

Cass Tech was unable to score any points before the second quarter came to a close, as its offense continues to struggle in plus territory.

END OF FIRST HALF: Catholic Central 13, Cass Tech 0

THIRD QUARTER UPDATES

Cass Tech is set to begin the second half on the 20 yard line after a touchback on the kickoff.

INTERCEPTION! Shamrock senior safety Beckett Glynn picks off Tabron and returns it 22 yards to the Catholic Central 37 yard line. The Shamrocks now look to make it a three-score lead. - 8:51 Q3

TOUCHDOWN! Gideon Gash grabs his second touchdown catch of the game on a 37 yard connection with Banta. The PAT is good, and the Shamrocks now lead 20-0. - 7:36 Q3

TOUCHDOWN! After coming up a half-yard short on the previous play, Cass Tech found a way into the endzone with a goal line run from sophomore RB/LB Julian Taylor. The PAT is good, and the Technicians now trail 20-7. - 4:19 Q3

END OF THIRD QUARTER: Catholic Central 20, Cass Tech 7

FOURTH QUARTER UPDATES

Catholic Central begins the fourth quarter inside the Cass Tech 30 yard line as it looks to add to its lead.

FUMBLE! After the Shamrocks went for it on fourth down and failed to convert, junior DE/TE Kaden Gonzales comes up with a strip-sack and fumble recovery to get the ball back for his squad. Catholic Central takes over from the Cass Tech nine yard line. Q4 - 10:15

FIELD GOAL GOOD! Junior Shamrock kicker Ty Goddard extends his team's lead to 23-7 with a 21 yard field goal. For Cass Tech, holding Catholic Central to a field goal was crucial. Q4 - 7:52

TURNOVER ON DOWNS! Catholic Central will look to seal the victory on its next possession, as it forced Cass Tech into a turnover on downs.

TOUCHDOWN! Catholic Central senior RB/FS Cedric Williams pounds in a touchdown from one yard out. After a failed two-point conversion, the Shamrocks are up 29-7 against the Technicians. Q4 - 6:24

TOUCHDOWN! Senior ATH CJ Sadler (North Carolina commit) catches a 15-yard score from Tabron to get Cass Tech back on the board. After a failed two-point conversion, Cass Tech's deficit is 29-13. Q4 - 5:25

TOUCHDOWN! Gideon Gash makes it three touchdowns on the day with a 48-yard scoring grab. The PAT is good, and Catholic Central leads Cass Tech 36-13. Q4 - 4:52

PICK SIX! Senior Catholic Central OL/DL Benny Eziuka (Penn State commit) returns an interception 41 yards for a score. The Shamrocks now lead 42-13. Q4 - 3:12

TOUCHDOWN! Senior Cass Tech WR William Sykes Jr. catches a 12-yard score from Tabron. Cass Tech now trails 42-19. Q4 - :14

FINAL: Catholic Central 42, Cass Tech 19

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