DEARBORN – Divine Child is kicking off its football season against the same opponent it beat for a state championship some ten months ago.
On the day after Thanksgiving at Ford Field, the Falcons outlasted Hudsonville Unity Christian, 23-22, for the state Division 4 title.
In four weeks, at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 28, at Divine Child, the two squads will meet to open the 2026 gridiron campaign.
Chris Laney, the Division 4 Coach of the Year and starting his fourth season guiding the Falcons, explained how all this happened.
“I contacted four or five different high schools that were more local to Divine Child. They didn't want to play us in Week One (of the season). Some of them felt like we weren't a big enough school. Others felt they couldn't compete. Whatever it was. So we were kind of looking around for a game.
“I've been a high school coach for almost 25 years now. Week One are fun games. The kids want to be a part of it. The fans are gonna have a great time with it. You know if you win, it really catapults you into your season. And if you have the other end of it, I think, you still have a lot of time to kind of right the ship and learn from it.”
Unity Christian coach Craig Tobbe was having the same difficulty finding a Week One opponent. “So, we talked,” Laney said. The result: a 2-year commitment. “They come to us this year, and we go there (150 miles to Hudsonville, halfway between Grand Rapids and Holland) next year.”
“This, I think, is unique,” Laney said. “I mean, where you beat the team for the state championship. Yeah, it's going to be something different. You don't see that too often. I think, too, when you play an opponent like Unity Christian week one, it helps to motivate your kids a bit in the summer. I mean, summer workouts became a little more intense.”
Talk about “intense.” Divine Child shocked No. 1-ranked and undefeated Harper Woods, 10-6, in the regional, No. 2-ranked and undefeated Goodrich, 10-7, in the semifinal, and then protected a one-point lead in the championship game’s final seven minutes to claim the school’s third state title along with conquests in 1975 and 1985.
Laney’s task is to replace the loss of 11 seniors. “But we've got seven returners on defense and eight on offense,” he said. “We're hoping that the long season we had last year and extended practices and experience that was gained will help them take another step forward.”
Junior Drew Sheridan will at quarterback. The left-hander completed 13 of his first 15 passes in the championship game and finished 19-of-25 for 241 yards and a pair of first-half touchdown throws. He did it all with his non-throwing shoulder in a brace thanks to an injury suffered in the regional final against Harper Woods.
Centennial Year kickoff and beyond
More than 12,000 student-athletes from 34 schools will participate in a wide range of sports – 14 for boys and 17 for girls – during the 2026-2027 academic year. Here is the schedule of championship finals.
In September: Thursday, Sept. 3 – Centennial Year Kickoff: Mass at 10 a.m., at Detroit Holy Redeemer Church, Archbishop Edward Weisenburger, celebrant. All teams attending. Sept. 26, Boys tennis championships. Sept. 28, Girls golf championships.
In October: Oct. 3, Girls field hockey championships; Oct. 7, Boys soccer championships and boys and girls Bishop Division cross country championships. Oct. 10, Girls volleyball championships. Oct. 23, Boys and girls Cardinal Division cross country championships. Oct. 24, Prep Bowl at Ford Field: 4:30 p.m., Jackson Lumen Christi vs. Divine Child; 7:30 p.m., Detroit Catholic Central vs. Brother Rice. Between games: Introduction of 100 greatest boys and girls athletes.
In November: Nov. 4, Girls diving championships. Nov. 14, Girls swimming championships.
In December: Dec. 4, Boys Bishop Division ice hockey championships.
In January: Jan. 13, Boys Cardinal Division hockey championships.
In February: Feb. 1, Boys and girls ski championships. Feb. 3, Cheer, dance and pom pon championships. Feb. 6, Wrestling championships. Feb 12, Boys Bishop Division basketball championships. Feb. 13, Boys Cardinal and Ste. Anne division basketball championships. Feb. 13, Girls hockey championships. Feb. 13, Boys and girls bowling championships. Feb. 20, Girls Cardinal and Ste. Anne divisions basketball championships. Feb. 24, Boys diving championships.
In March: March 6, Boys swimming championships.
In May: May 5, Boys and girls Ste. Anne Division track and field championships.
May 7, Boys and girls Cardinal Division track and field championships. May 7/8, Girls and boys lacrosse championships. May 7, Girls Bishop Division tennis championships. May 8, Girls Cardinal and Ste Anne Division tennis championships. May 8, Boys Bishop Division track and field championships. May 10, Boys golf championships. May 14, Baseball Bishop Division championships. May 15, Girls soccer championships. May 15, Girls softball championships. May 20, Boys Cardinal and Ste. Anne Divisions baseball championships.
In June: June 7, Scholar Athlete and championship coaches recognition dinner. June 14, Catholic League Coaches Hall of Fame banquet and golf outing.
Contact Don Horkey at [email protected]
