Detroit Catholic Central Readies for 2012 Football Season

is feeling optimistic about the upcoming football season.

"They're coming together as a family, which is really what we like to see at Catholic Central," said head coach Tom Mach. "We're feeling pretty good."

Mach said the tough end to the team's 12-2 season last year when CC lost in the state finals is all in the past.

"That's over," he said. "We can't change whether we won or lost in the past."

Instead, Mach has his eyes focused forward on CC's tough schedule.

The team first takes on Detroit Cody on Aug. 24, followed by Toledo Whitmer on Aug. 31 and Cincinnati Moeller on Sept. 8.

"We're going to handle them one at a time," Mach said.

Mach said they are feeling optimistic and they have three goals going into the season.

1. Win the Central Division
2. Win the Catholic League Championship
3. Make the state playoffs

He said they plan to win games by doing what they always do: run the ball and play good defense.

For senior defensive end and running back Wyatt Shallman, it's all about trusting your coach.

"Coach Mach always gets us ready for the season, so I'm not really worried about it," Shallman said.

Shallman, a team captain, at the University of Michigan next fall, but that won't keep him from working hard this year.

"Every player wants to do their best, but I want to perform at my best as part of the team," he said.

He said the team will be working toward being the best in Michigan this year. CC has won the state title seven times in the past 12 years, most recently in 2011.

"It's kind of state champ or bust around here," he said. "We know what we have to do to get there."

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