Latest Judge Orders Catholic Central Playoff Game in Grand Rapids
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GRAND RAPIDS, MI · WEST MICHIGAN EDITION · SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2026
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Judge Orders Catholic Central Playoff Game in Grand Rapids

Published October 31, 2026 at 7:44 am | By Ezra Vasquez, Staff Reporter

Empty high school football stadium in daylight

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.

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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.

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Section: More Grand Rapids MI sports news

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Filed under: Grand Rapids MI Sports News

More coverage: Grand Rapids MI high school football · Grand Rapids MI high school sports & NIL

Ezra Vasquez
HEREGrandRapids · SPORTS

Ezra is a staff reporter for HERE GrandRapids covering local news, community stories, and developments across Kent County. Ezra is committed to accurate, community-first journalism.

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