Columbia Central Looks to Finish Games, Make Playoffs in 2026

Photos by Hannah Tacy & Henry Black, JTV Sports

David Rice | JTV Sports

Friday August 7th

(8-7-2026, 4:00PM): After a 5-4 campaign in 2025 and just missing out on the playoffs due to a heartbreak 40-36 loss in week nine, the Columbia Central Golden Eagles are looking to continue to improve again this upcoming season.

CC finished 3-6 in 2024, and improved to a 5-4 record last season including a playoff spot had they won a rivalry game against Napoleon in week nine. Columbia Central has not made the postseason since 2018 and had their first winning record since 2019 last season.

Head Coach Dylan Zaborowski is entering his fifth year at the helm. Zaborowski is a Michigan Center alum and played under current HC Troy Allen before playing collegiately at Alma College. He is also the offensive playcaller. Jared Hall returns as the defensive coordinator. “We have put a big focus, coaching staff wise, on what we need to do to win the “big games”. We have to find a way to get over that hump and win some of the closer games against the top teams in the conference” said Zaborowski.

Key players for CCHS this season include senior Trent Troyer (WR/DB), who is a four year varsity player for the Golden Eagles. “We expect him to be at the center of what we do both offensive and defensively. Expecting him to have a huge senior season”, said HC Zaborowski. Other key players include junior Elias Losey (WR/DB), senior Bauston Pilcaczynski (RB/LB), junior Julian Boardman (RB), junior QB Sammy Truax, and junior Dylan Penix (WR/DB).

A school record could likely be broken this season by Trent Troyer. Troyer is around 150 yards away from breaking the CCHS all-time receiving record.

Columbia Central opens the season with an exceptional non-conference test at home, facing Melvindale AB&T. Melvindale went 9-1 last season and made the playoffs in Division 8. The other non-league game includes a week nine battle on the road at Division 1 Ann Arbor Skyline, a team out of the SEC-Red who went 3-6 in 2025.

2026 Columbia Central Schedule:

(all games at 7pm unless noted)

Thursday 8/27 vs Melvindale AB&T

Thursday 9/3 @ Michigan Center

Friday 9/11 vs Grass Lake

Friday 9/18 vs Jonesville

Friday 9/25 @ Hanover Horton

Friday 10/2 vs Addison

Friday 10/9 @ Napoleon

Friday 10/16 @ TBD (Cascades Crossover)

Friday 10/23 @ Ann Arbor Skyline