In a formal release on Thursday, the MHSAA announced that Grand Rapids Catholic Central has been removed from the football postseason.

The ruling comes after findings that the school used an ineligible player during six of the team’s regular-season games. Five victories were consequently forfeited, putting the team below the requirements to reach the postseason.

“Throughout the investigation, Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s administration has been fully cooperative and highly professional,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said.

Catholic Central published a release on Thursday night outlining the school’s disappointment in the timing of the issue. The release said the student-athlete enrolled at the school in January and was confirmed eligible in August after his family moved out of the previous school district. The former school filed an official complaint, which the MHSAA found unsupported in May.

The MHSAA contacted the school on Oct. 15, outlining an additional investigation after new findings regarding the athlete’s former residence. GRCC held the player out of competition during the final two weeks of the season while the association’s review continued.

“Last Friday, the MHSAA informed us that an investigation related to the student-athlete’s eligibility would continue, but our team was cleared to participate in the postseason,” GRCC said in a release. “We are in disbelief that this decision was issued today, just over 24 hours before kicking off the postseason. Catholic Central intends to appeal this decision through the established MHSAA process."

Catholic Central finished the regular season 7-2, accumulating 65.194 playoff points and securing the top spot in Division 5. Because of the decision, Comstock Park, which was scheduled to face the Cougars on Friday, will advance to the district final to face the winner of No. 4 Berrien Springs or No. 5 Lake Odessa Lakewood.

The Cougars have won six state titles since 2016 across Division 4 and Division 5 and had won nine straight regional championships prior to last season.

Local Division 5 teams, including Reed City, Tri County and Chippewa Hills, would have faced the winner of Catholic Central’s region in the state semifinal. Rankings now suggest No. 2 Grand Rapids West Catholic or No. 3 Hopkins would be the new favorites to win the region following GRCC’s removal.