COLUMBUS (10-31-26) — The Canton Central Catholic football team’s season has received a second life.
The OHSAA has ruled that No. 8 seed Youngstown Liberty used an ineligible player during its 26-16 win against No. 9 seed Central Catholic in a Division V, Region 17 first-round playoff game Friday night, Oct. 30.
Liberty must forfeit that win, so it is the Crusaders who will advance to play at No. 1 seed Lake County Perry on Friday, Nov. 6, in a regional quarterfinal.
Central’s record goes to 7-4. Lake County Perry is 10-0.
The reversal caps a stunning 24 hours for the Crusaders. On the field Friday night, Liberty quarterback Dawaun Moody scored four touchdowns to lead the Leopards to what looked like a 26-16 win and a trip to Perry. Central quarterback Brock Bourquin suffered an injury early in the second quarter and did not return for the second half.
Central coach Jeff Lindesmith said after the game-
“He took a shot in the ribs. He had trouble breathing.”
Bourquin finished with 79 yards on 13 carries. Carter Competty ran for a pair of touchdowns for Central, and Axel Estrada kicked a 22-yard field goal.
Then came the news Central had been waiting on:
Coach Lindesmith told Q92 Sports/1310 WDPN’s Sam Bourquin that Liberty had used an ineligible player during Friday night’s game, and the OHSAA has now vacated Liberty’s victory.
From a season-ending loss Friday night to preparing for another playoff game next week — the Crusaders are still alive.
