---
title: "Judge Orders Catholic Central Playoff Game in Grand Rapids"
url: https://www.heregrandrapids.com/2026/10/31/judge-orders-catholic-central-playoff-game-by-nov-3/
date: 2026-10-31T07:44:36-04:00
modified: 2026-10-31T07:44:36-04:00
author: "Ezra Vasquez"
categories: ["High School Sports"]
site: "HERE Grand Rapids"
attribution: "HERE Grand Rapids"
---

# Judge Orders Catholic Central Playoff Game in Grand Rapids

> GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Catholic Central football is back in the playoff picture, at least for now, after a Kent County Circuit Court judge on Friday ordered the Michigan High School Athletic Association to let the Cougars play their first-round game. The temporary restraining order, sought on behalf of a Catholic Central senior,

*Source: [HERE Grand Rapids](https://www.heregrandrapids.com/2026/10/31/judge-orders-catholic-central-playoff-game-by-nov-3/) — October 31, 2026 by Ezra Vasquez*

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Catholic Central football is back in the playoff picture, at least for now, after a Kent County Circuit Court judge on Friday ordered the Michigan High School Athletic Association to let the Cougars play their first-round game.

The temporary restraining order, sought on behalf of a Catholic Central senior, says the game must be played no later than 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. School president Greg Deja told families the school did not file the suit and is not named in it. A hearing with both the player and the MHSAA is set for 9 a.m. on Nov. 6.

The MHSAA had pulled Catholic Central out of the 11-player Division 5 bracket Thursday, saying the team used an ineligible player in six regular-season games. The association said the student had not completed a full move needed for immediate eligibility after transferring. The school said the MHSAA had cleared him earlier in the season.

Catholic Central went 7-2 in the regular season, 5-1 with that player in the lineup, and was set to forfeit those six wins. Its district semifinal at home against Comstock Park, now 4-5, had been scheduled for Friday night. In the other half of that district, Berrien Springs topped Lake Odessa Lakewood in overtime, 34-28, and now waits on the result.