PKC Preview: Cass Tech vs. Toledo Central Catholic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The High School Football season kicks off at Wayne State! On Friday, we have one elite-level matchup featuring two of the best programs in the Midwest. Cass Tech vs. Central Catholic is truly a clash of the titans. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'll give a quick preview of the teams, give keys to victory, and give my predictions of this matchup! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Rankings based on the HSFB Media Poll Rankings)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1 Cass Tech vs. Toledo Central Catholic</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>Quick team previews</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cass Tech is back on top of Michigan High School Football. Coming off a Division 1 State Championship, they retain most of their talent from last season. On paper, this team should take another step forward. Young QB, one of the best WR/DBs in the country, a borderline 5-star offensive tackle, and so, so many other Division 1 prospects. Last season, Cass Tech got out of the blocks slowly, losing to Rockford. Central Catholic is no Rockford, and they're absolutely better than Rockford was last season. Yes, Cass Tech matches the talent of Central Catholic, but they absolutely need to play their best football in order to win this game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Toledo Central Catholic is a Midwest powerhouse. I don't know how to describe this team in any way other than "overwhelming". Most of their games, even against good opponents, are lopsided. Last season, the defense led the way. Scoring more than 20 points against this team should be considered a massive accomplishment. They were able to hold De La Salle and St. Mary's to 6 points last season. Plus, they have a clear offensive identity and know how to move the football. This is one of the most well-rounded teams in the Midwest, and always a state championship threat. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Key Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Central Catholic DB Victor Singleton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A preseason high school All-American committed to Texas A&amp;M. Need I say more? Not many are capable of covering the likes of Sader and Griggs. I'd go as far as to say that Cass Tech hasn't faced a DB like Victor in several years. Victor's tape showcases elite-level athleticism, in addition to a far above-average IQ. Amazing off-ball DB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Cass Tech ATH [player_tooltip player_id='212358' first='Corey' last='Sadler'] Jr</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Corey's swan song season is incoming. It feels like yesterday that Corey was an up-and-coming elite prospect. Playing QB in his early high school days, and conversations of what he'd become in college. Going on his 4th-straight season ranked as our #1 prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='212358' first='Corey' last='Sadler'] is bound to make a big play or two during week 1. Watching him at last year's state championship only made me more confident of his potential in college and beyond. Offensively, I'd love to see Corey do his thing in open space. Defensively, he'll fly around per usual. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Central Catholic TE Preston Fryzel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps more accurately described as an X wide receiver, Fryzel is an elite mismatch. For one, he's got the height and length advantage on the vast majority of defenders (6'4" 220). Tape showcases a large number of physical catches, oftentimes mossing a DB in the endzone. He's done a ton of damage out wide, but I actually think this game could be a great opportunity to get Fryzel the ball over the middle of the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Cass Tech ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1687444' first='Mylan' last='Griggs']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, I slept on Griggs a little bit. I mean, he wasn't even a top 2 athlete on his team (Sadler and Graham had him there). Still, Griggs was able to earn his touches and prove himself as a freshman. In last year's state championship, Griggs tallied 1 sack and 5 total tackles. This offseason, he's proven himself as a receiver. This season, we should see Griggs fully break out. He may be challenged by the Central Catholic offense, and I'm super curious to see how Griggs responds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Central Catholic QB Ali Beydoun</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm not too familiar with Ali. Though watching some of his highlights, it's incredibly clear to me that he's a phenomenal high school QB. The average high school QB struggles to read any defense. Ali, on the other hand, is trusted in playing 5 receiver sets, making quick reads, and delivering accurate balls. I'm very impressed with Ali's accuracy and touch toward the boundary. I'm looking for efficient, confident, turnover-free play from Ali. Shocked to see zero offers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Cass Tech QB [player_tooltip player_id='1111167' first='Donald' last='Tabron II']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Extremely excited to see [player_tooltip player_id='1111167' first='Donald' last='Tabron II'] go to work. He's got the size, he's got the arm, got the confidence, and his IQ is developing. Every in-person evaluation has made me even more excited about what Donald can accomplish this season. I'd love to see how Donald responds in a truly elite-level matchup like this one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>My Prediction</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cass Tech 21 Central Catholic 20</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I admit there's some bias built into this prediction. Flip a coin. There is no predicting this game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->