The Grand Rapids Catholic Central Cougars were absent from last fall’s State Championships for the first time since 2018. This year, they returned with a vengeance, ready to reclaim the top spot. In a defensive battle against Corunna, the Cougars were able to do just that, capturing a 21-7 State Championship victory.
After a scoreless first quarter in which a GRCC drive stalled at the Corunna 17 yard line as a result of a fumble, the Cougars got a pair of touchdowns in the second frame. Quarterback Connor Wolf capped off two scoring drives with 1-yard keepers. Conor Neilson was able to convert a pair of PATs, and the Cougars led 14-0 at the break.
Corunna would clip that lead in half with a 7-yard touchdown run from Wyatt Bower late in the third quarter. This was a seven-minute drive that spanned 67 yards in 14 plays.
After a completed pass was overturned to start the fourth quarter, Corunna was forced to punt from their own 26. An errant kick went just nine yards, giving the Cougars prime real estate with 11:50 to go. They took eight plays to cover the 35 yards, and Wolf completed the rushing touchdown hat trick with a 10-yard scamper.
Corunna had begun to mount a comeback drive, reaching the Cougars’ 35 in just five plays. On the sixth play from scrimmage, Mill Coleman stepped in front of Wyatt Bower’s pass, securing an interception and ending the threat. A lengthy Cougars drive ended any hopes the Cavaliers had at a comeback.
This is the eighth State Championship in Grand Rapids Catholic Central football history, since the start of the MHSAA playoffs (1987, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023). Head Coach Todd Kolster remains unbeaten in State Finals, as the Cougars have won their last seven title games (8-2 all time with losses in 1978 and 2005).
