Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School’s 2026 football season ended on Monday when Kent County Circuit Court Judge Paul Denenfield upheld the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s (MHSAA) October 29 decision to disqualify the Cougars from the Division 5 postseason. The ruling, reported by WKZO, means the team will not play its scheduled District Final against Berrien Springs and concludes a controversy that has dominated local sports headlines.
According to WKZO, the dispute began when teammate Noah Zainea filed an injunction after the MHSAA’s initial order. Judge Denenfield granted a temporary restraining order, allowing Catholic Central to compete in the Division 5 District Semifinal against Comstock Park on November 3. The Cougars won that game decisively, 56‑13, before returning to court for a show‑cause hearing on November 6. At the hearing, the judge affirmed the MHSAA’s eligibility ruling, and school President Greg Deja said the school will not appeal.
BroBible adds that the eligibility issue stems from a transfer player who joined Catholic Central in January after leaving Comstock Park. Comstock Park filed a complaint alleging the move was athletically motivated. The MHSAA initially cleared the player in August, finding no wrongdoing, and he participated in seven regular‑season games, helping the Cougars finish 7‑2 and earn a No. 1 seed.
In mid‑October, new evidence surfaced. Court documents cited by BroBible show the MHSAA received video footage on October 26 from a prospective home buyer touring the player’s former residence. The video displayed family photos, food in the refrigerator and clothing in closets, suggesting the family had not fully moved out as required for eligibility. The MHSAA’s rules state a student must complete a full residence change to compete for a new school in the same sport. The footage prompted the association to overturn the earlier eligibility finding and rescind the temporary restraining order.
The MHSAA issued a statement, quoted by BroBible, thanking the court for “confirming the integrity of the MHSAA’s eligibility rules.” The statement also noted that there will be no District game on Tuesday, November 10, and that Berrien Springs will advance to face Grand Rapids West Catholic on Saturday, November 14 at 1 p.m.
Sources differ on the Cougars’ final record. WKZO reports the season ends after ten games, while BroBible says the forfeitures left Catholic Central at 2‑8. Both agree the forfeits erased six wins in which the ineligible player participated.
What’s next: Berrien Springs will meet Grand Rapids West Catholic in the Regional Final on November 14. The MHSAA says it will continue monitoring compliance with its eligibility standards as the postseason progresses.
Sources: wkzo.com, brobible.com
