SANDUSKY, Ohio – Padua’s playoff run ended with a 45-7 loss to defending state champion Toledo Central Catholic on Friday night at Foundation Stadium in Sandusky.
The Bruins, who finish their season 8-6, entered the Division III, Region 10 final as the region’s No. 7 seed. The Fighting Irish, now 13-1, were the top seed.
While the Bruins were able to get out to an early 7-6 lead in the first quarter, they never led again as the Irish’s high-powered offense and stifling defense were simply too much to handle.
The bright spot of the Bruins’ offense was senior back Roderick Love, who looked shifty and spry, especially toward the beginning of the game. Love rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown, 94 of which came in the first half. However, the Central Catholic defensive line made things difficult for the Bruins all game, racking up six sacks totaling 56 lost yards.
The loss marks the end of an incredible playoff run for the Bruins, who ended the regular season with just a 5-5 record but were able to win three playoff games to make it to the regional final. Only the Bruins themselves expected the team to get this far.
“We expected to be here,” Padua head coach Kevin Kubit said after the game. “Once Week 11 hit, that belief really ramped up, and I’m just proud of these players and coaches.”
The Bruins impressive playoff run included a 42-28 upset of No. 3 Benedictine, and Love concluded his playoff stretch with 958 total yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns. Love was a team captain and led a group of 16 seniors, along with Ohio commit Brandon Homady, to earn the regional runners-up trophy.
“All the credit goes to these 16 seniors. They gave us 20 straight weeks of football,” Kubit said.
The Irish played a great game themselves, relying on their rushing attack which garnered 346 yards and five touchdowns. Senior back Tyler Morgan led the charge with 151 yards and a touchdown. The Irish will move on to the state semifinals to play Youngstown Ursuline (13-1), which defeated Gilmour Academy on Friday night.
“When you go against the defending state champions, you got to play flawless … you got to match their intensity.” Kubit said. “And credit to them, they’re on their way to a third straight title. Kudos to coach Dempsey.”
Both offenses got off to a slow start on their initial drives, but the Irish were able to break through for the first score of the game on a 10-yard touchdown rush by Anthony Sylvester. Central Catholic missed a two-point try. However, the Bruins were able to return the favor with a 13-yard touchdown run by Love, putting them up 7-6 with 2:29 left in the first quarter.
The Irish made quick work of their next drive, scoring in three plays on a 67-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ali Beydoun to Preston Fryzel. They missed another two-point try, putting them up 12-7 with 1:06 left in the first quarter. The Irish then tacked on another touchdown on a 12-yard rush by Jerome Davis, but their special teams woes continued, as they missed the extra point kick.
The Irish were able to score one more time before the half on a 5-yard touchdown rush by Tyler Morgan after a 59-yard sprint by Sharard Vaughn. Central Catholic made the point after this time, putting them up 25-7 heading into halftime.
The second half was dominated by the Irish. The defense hardly let Padua move the football, and their defensive line gave quarterback Nick Barker virtually no time in the pocket.
Sylvester scored his second touchdown to put the Irish up 31-7 (another missed kick, blocked this time), and then Davis notched a pair of touchdowns, one of which was an 80-yard catch and run, to put them up 45-7.
The Irish sealed the deal with a late interception by Ohio’s top prospect from the 2026 class, junior cornerback Victor Singleton. The Irish ran out the remaining game time after that.
Kubit expressed his gratitude to his team in the post-game huddle.
“Thank you,” Kubit told his 16 seniors after the game. “Thank you for making me and this program better … I’m very proud.”