Your guide to the Northwest Catholic high school football team ahead of the 2026 season

NWC's Kaedean Stewart (4) on a run in the second half during the Sheehan vs Northwest Catholic CIAC Class S Football Championship game Championship game, on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Veterans Memorial Park in New Britain. (Jim Michaud/Hearst Connecticut Media)

Master list: CT high school football previews for 2026

NORTHWEST CATHOLIC

[Vitals]

COACH - Mike Lenz (eighth season)

HOME FIELD - Neil J. Brewer Field, West Hartford

PLAYOFF CLASS - M

CONFERENCE - CCC

2025 RECORD - 11-2 ( lost to Sheehan 21-7 in Class S championship )

RETURNING STARTERS (off/def) - 3/3

TEAM SOCIAL MEDIA - Instagram: @nwc_football_pride

[They're Here]

Marc Cheney , Sr., LB/TE (5-11, 200)

Andre Sutherland , Sr., LB/WR (5-10, 170)

Kaedean Stewart , Jr., OLB/RB (5-9, 170)

Chase Henry , Jr., CB/WR (5-8, 145)

Jaden Vives , Jr., OL/DL (6-1, 225)

Royal Weaver , So., OL/DL (5-11, 215)

Cooper Lenz , Jr., DB/WR (6-2, 150)

Brandon Gee-Little , Jr., DB/WR (5-10, 145)

Mike Papio , So., OL/DE (5-11, 195)

[Reason to Cheer]

Northwest Catholic is coming off a season in which it reached the CIAC Class S final, and returns lead running back Kaedean Stewart (728 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 142 carries) and a strong receiver with experience in Chase Henry (274 yards and six touchdowns on 19 receptions).

[Reason to Fear]

The Lions graduated two of the state's best players in New Haven Register All-State first-teamer Kayden Davis and veteran quarterback Vincent Burbank, and promising DE Caiden Reese transferred to prep school. Experience could be an issue with nearly every position group. Last year's success in Class S has this group now competing in Class M.

[The Bottom Line]

There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding Northwest Catholic this season after the graduation of quarterback Vincent Burbank (2,540 passing yards with 37 touchdowns and nine interceptions, while rushing for 627 yards and seven touchdowns on 97 carries) and lead receiver Kayden Davis (1,395 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns on 81 receptions).

Only three starters return for the Lions, but the young talent is there, according to coach Mike Lenz. There is a three-player competition at quarterback between junior Anthony Gattinella and sophomores Luka Rodriguez and Braylon Ragins.

Top running back Kaedean Stewart returns as a junior and a few experienced receivers in Chase Henry, Marc Cheney, Andre Sutherland, Cooper Lenz, Brandon Gee-Little, and Jordan Thompson could fill in as pass catchers. The offensive line is young and untested and lacks depth but has potential, according to coach Lenz.

On defense, Lenz expects a big season out of Marc Cheney, who ranked third on the team with 90 total tackles last year, including 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. All 13 interceptions from last year were picked off by players who have graduated.

Northwest Catholic will need young players to break out to continue the success of the previous two seasons.

[2026 Schedule]

Sept. 10 - at Avon/St. Paul, 6 p.m.*

Sept. 18 - at Jonathan Law, 7 p.m.@

Sept. 25 - at Wethersfield, 6 p.m.*

Oct. 3 - NEW FAIRFIELD, 10:30 a.m.@

Oct. 17 - RHAM, 10:30 a.m.*

Oct. 24 - ROCKY HILL, 10:30 a.m.*

Oct. 31 - PLAINVILLE, 10:30 a.m.*

Nov. 5 - at Tolland, 6 p.m.*

Nov. 14 - LEWIS MILLS/WOLCOTT TECH, 10:30 a.m.*

Nov. 25 - at East Catholic, 5 p.m.*

* Conference game @ CT HS Alliance game

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →