[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4013]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. THADDEUS G. McCOTTER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 19, 2010

  Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge the Division 
1 State Champion Football team from my alma mater, Detroit Catholic 
Central High School. On November 27, 2009 the Catholic Central 
Shamrocks steamrolled Sterling Heights Stevenson 31-21. The win capped 
off an undefeated season for the Blue and White.
  This 2009 Catholic Central football team gave Coach Tom Mach the 10th 
State Championship in his 34 seasons as head coach of the Shamrocks. 
This is truly a remarkable accomplishment for this close-knit group of 
young men. The hard work and dedication of all of its members epitomize 
what it means to be a Shamrock. By the teaching of our Basilian Fathers 
through goodness, discipline and knowledge the entire Catholic Central 
family, including this alumnus, shares in this accomplishment.
  Following a wildly successful Catholic season that saw 6 shutouts and 
a defense that allowed only 23 points on the season, Catholic Central 
added yet another shutout, edging Orchard Lake St. Mary's 7-0 for the 
Detroit Catholic League Championship. After routing Livonia Franklin 
42-7 in the district opener, the Shamrocks exacted revenge on Livonia 
Stevenson, who had ended Catholic Central's 2008 playoff run by 
trouncing the Spartans 38-0. With the win Coach Mach became only the 
7th coach in Michigan history to have reached 300 wins, all at the helm 
of Catholic Central.
  But there was more to accomplish. A determined Canton team forced the 
Shamrocks into overtime before Catholic Central ran into the end zone 
on the first possession. The stingy Shamrock defense wouldn't budge, 
and the beloved Blue and White eked out a 31-27 triumph.
  With only Holt standing in the path to the finals at Ford Field, the 
Shamrocks rolled to a 31-0 win, racking up the 9th shutout of their 
spectacular season.
  Finally a winning team took to the turf of Ford Field as Catholic 
Central went to the big dance against Sterling Heights Stevenson. While 
this Stevenson team fared slightly better than their Livonia 
counterparts, the Shamrocks met their final challenge and soared to a 
31-21 victory, raising the Division 1 trophy in triumph.
  Madam Speaker, with a season record of 14-0, the 2009 Catholic 
Central Shamrocks deserve to be recognized for their determination, 
achievement, and spirit and I am very proud of their determination and 
effort. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Shamrocks 
for obtaining this spectacular title and honoring their devotion to our 
community and country. Live and Die for CC High!

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