The Detroit Catholic Central Shamrocks and the Brighton Bulldogs linked up in their seemingly annual playoff battle at the USA Hockey Arena on Saturday night, and for the third straight year it was the Shamrocks who came out on top and claimed the Division 1 state championship with a 2-0 win.
Led by 198 yards and three scores from Jaden Pydyn, the Detroit Catholic Central Shamrocks dominated the line of scrimmage, rushing for 376 yards at a clip of 11 yards per carry rolling to a 49-22 win over the Novi Wildcats in Friday's Division 1 district semifinal.
The younger classes in Novi Detroit Catholic Central fabled football program may have more college recruits, but Shamrocks' gutty crop of seniors is anchoring the team in terms of ferocity and tempo.
The Novi Detroit Catholic Central ‘Brick Wall’ defense stifled Orchard Lake St. Mary’s until it was almost too late on Friday, then held on in a frenetic finish, recovering an onside kick with 37 seconds left to hold off the Eaglets for a two-point, 16-14 win.