Cathedral Prep (Erie, Pa.) head coach Mike Mischler has been named the Catholic Athletes For Christ Top 25 Coach of the Year.
The veteran coach led the Ramblers from starting the season outside the inaugural CAC Top 25 ranking of Catholic high school football teams across the nation, presented by Siena Heights University and Global Football, to the number three spot in the final 2017 ranking.
The Ramblers recorded a 14-0 season and won the PIAA Class AAAA state championship for the second straight season, defeating Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia), 38-28.
“Mike is an excellent coach who knows the game inside and out, and his historic two-year run which includes a school-record 28 straight wins and back to back state championships only validates that,” said Prep Director of Athletics Bill Flanagan. “What separates Mike from so many others is his true love and passion for the kids he coaches. Without question, that leadership style is the reason the Cathedral Prep football program has been so successful.”
Mischler has coached 19 seasons and has a career record of 189-55 (.7780), including a Cathedral Prep mark of 172-39 (.820). His playoff record during a span of 18 consecutive seasons is 44-15 (.750). He has won 4 state titles in 6 appearances, has made 9 Western final appearances and has won 12 District 10 titles and 14 Metro-League/Region titles.
“We are proud to recognize Coach Mike Mischler for the amazing success his Erie Prep team has had, but more so for the lifelong values he continues to instill in every player he coaches,” said Patrick Steenberge of Global Football. “Every person who played high school football can look back on those times and realize that their coaches had a major influence on their lives. We have had great feedback from across America, applauding these teams and the CAC Top 25 ranking itself.”
Fans are encouraged to follow the CAC Top 25 through social media at on Twitter @CACTop25 and at www.Facebook.com/CACTop25 and at www.GlobalFootball.com/cac-top-25.
The Catholic Athletes for Christ Top 25 High School Football Rankings, presented by Siena Heights University and Global Football are released on Wednesdays from September until the conclusion of the high school season in December. Criteria include the quality of the team and its players, strength of schedule, tradition, and quality of the team’s league, conference, region or district. The rankings are compiled by Christopher Lawlor, an award-winning writer, who is a voting committee member and advisor for several major national high school events, including the McDonald’s All-American Games and Gatorade Player of the Year. All Catholic high schools from the United States that feature only four-year players on 11-man teams are eligible for consideration.
2017 Catholic Athletes for Christ Final Top 25
Presented by Siena Heights University and Global Football
1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (15-0) * !
2. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas, Nev. (13-2) *
3. Cathedral Prep, Erie, Pa. (14-0) *
4. Trinity, Louisville, Ky. (15-0) *
5. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore, Md. (13-0) *
6. Saint Louis, Honolulu, Hawaii (10-0) *
7. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia, Pa. (13-1)
8. Covington Catholic, Park Hills, Ky. (15-0) *
9. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (11-2)
10. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (11-3)
11. Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (12-2) *
12. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (10-2) *
13. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (9-2) *
14. Christian Brothers College, St. Louis, Mo. (13-1) *
15. Dowling Catholic, West Des Moines, Iowa, (12-1) *
16. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (11-3)
17. Charlotte (N.C.) Catholic (16-0) *
18. St. Ignatius, Cleveland, Ohio (11-2)
19. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (14-1) *
20. McGill-Toolen Catholic, Mobile, Ala. (13-1)
21. Blessed Trinity, Roswell, Ga. (13-2) *
22. St. Xavier, Cincinnati, Ohio (11-2)
23. De La Salle, Warren, Mich. (12-2) *
24. Bishop Miege, Shawnee Mission, Kan.(13-0) *
25. Serra, San Mateo, Calif. (13-2) *
* Won state, sectional or conference/league postseason championship
! Catholic Athletes for Christ Top 25 National Champions