2026 CHSL Football Division Preview

The Catholic High School League enters its Centennial season with championship expectations throughout all four football divisions. Defending league champions, reigning state champions, new members and new divisional alignments set the stage for what should be another competitive year of CHSL football.

Central Division

Few leagues can match the championship credentials found in the Central Division.

Detroit Catholic Central enters the season as the defending Central Division champion and reigning MHSAA Division 1 state champion. The Shamrocks were also selected by the division’s coaches to finish first in the preseason poll and will look to remain on top of one of the toughest divisions in the Midwest.

St. Mary’s Prep brings an equally impressive championship résumé into 2026. The Eaglets are the two-time defending MHSAA Division 2 state champions and once again figure to be a major factor in both the Central Division race and the state playoffs.

De La Salle Collegiate is looking to build on another deep postseason run after advancing to the MHSAA semifinals last season. The Pilots have consistently been among Michigan’s top programs and should again challenge for the division championship.

The Central Division’s strength extends across the state line with Toledo Central Catholic, which finished as the OHSAA state runner-up last season. With four programs coming off significant postseason success, every week in the Central Division will have championship implications.

AA Division

The AA Division features defending state champions, a program that has never surrendered its CHSL division crown and two newcomers to the division.

Since joining the Catholic League, Lumen Christi has won the AA Division championship every season. The Titans enter 2026 as the defending MHSAA Division 6 state champions and are pursuing a remarkable fifth consecutive state championship.

Divine Child also enters the season with a championship target on its back after capturing the MHSAA Division 4 state title last year. With both Lumen Christi and Divine Child coming off state championship seasons, the race for the AA Division title should be one of the league’s most closely watched.

The division takes on a different look with the addition of Fr. Gabriel Richard, which moves into the AA Division this season.

Also joining the division is Detroit Country Day, which begins its first season as a member of the Catholic High School League. The Yellowjackets add another established football program to an already highly competitive division.

Intersectional 1 Division

For the first time in several years, the Intersectional 1 Division will crown a new champion.

Defending champion Lutheran North has departed the CHSL, opening the door for a new team to take control of the division.

In the preseason coaches poll, Cranbrook Kingswood was selected as the favorite to capture the championship. The Cranes will look to turn those preseason expectations into their first-place finish.

They will be challenged by Everest Collegiate, Loyola and University Liggett, each looking to take advantage of the wide-open race. With no defending champion in the field, every divisional game takes on added importance as the four programs compete to establish themselves at the top of Intersectional 1.

Intersectional 2 Division

Unlike Intersectional 1, the Intersectional 2 Division begins with its defending champion still at the top of the preseason poll.

Cabrini captured the division championship last season and was selected by the coaches as the preseason favorite to repeat in 2026.

The Monarchs will face challenges from Bishop Foley, Cardinal Mooney, Our Lady of the Lakes and Shrine, creating a five-team race in which there will be little room for error.

With familiar opponents, competitive rivalries and a defending champion looking to remain on top, the Intersectional 2 race should provide plenty of intrigue throughout the Centennial season.

A Championship Standard

From the reigning state champions in the Central and AA divisions to wide-open races in the Intersectional divisions, the 2026 season reflects the tradition and strength of Catholic League football.

As the CHSL celebrates 100 years of competition, its football programs enter the Centennial season with an opportunity to add another chapter to a history built on league championships, postseason success and generations of student-athletes representing their schools throughout Michigan and Ohio.

More than good sports, Good people.