Looking Back: The 2025 Season
Western opened strongly with non-league wins over Holly (34-0) and Petoskey (38-32), showing offensive promise and defensive solidity. League play proved tougher against a loaded SVL North that included powerhouses like Mount Pleasant and Midland Dow. The Warriors dropped close or competitive games (a 10-14 loss at Midland) but suffered larger setbacks against Dow (12-42), Traverse City Central (21-47), and Traverse City West (36-7). A hard-fought 17-28 regular-season loss to eventual strong contender Mount Pleasant highlighted their ability to compete with top teams for stretches.
The defining moment came in the regular-season finale: a dominant 56-6 thrashing of crosstown rival Bay City Central—the most lopsided victory in the 51-game history of the Battle of the Bay. Fueled by a traditional team fireside chat the night before, where seniors reflected on the bonds of the program, Western exploded for a statement win that clinched a playoff spot. Key contributions included strong ground production and defensive takeaways.
In the playoffs, Western traveled to undefeated Mount Pleasant and fell 14-35, but the Warriors showed fight and closed the year on a positive note as a dangerous underdog. Positives included the emergence of a large, talented junior class (many from an undefeated freshman team), improved late-season energy, and a playoff appearance (their fourth in six years). Negatives centered on inconsistency in league play, turnovers in key spots, and difficulty sustaining drives against elite defenses.
Spotlight: Daniel Fournier, Larry Bowes, Brady LaRue, and Leo Davis
Four standout athletes from the Warriors’ rising core are poised to drive the 2026 success.
Daniel Fournier (OL, Class of 2027) returns as a cornerstone of the offensive line. The 6-foot-2, 307-pound junior (listed around 6-1/305 entering 2025) was a key returning starter at tackle last fall and has developed into a true leader. Known for his work ethic, resilience, and ability to bring teammates along, Fournier has been highly active on the recruiting trail this offseason. He holds offers from Kalamazoo College, Calvin University, and most recently Marian University, and regularly attended camps. His combination of size, aggression, and maturity makes him a foundational piece for both the run and pass games.
Larry Bowes (RB, Class of 2027) provided the speed and big-play ability in the backfield. Described by coaches as the fastest player on the team, the 5-foot-8, 160-pound junior rushed for 632 yards on 90 carries (7.0 yards per attempt) and earned MLive Bay City Dream Team recognition. Standout performances included 167 yards and four touchdowns against Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 99 yards versus Petoskey, and consistent production in the rivalry win over Central. With a 4.01 GPA and strong measurables (including a verified 4.50 40-yard dash), Bowes continues refining his game and is expected to be a featured back again in 2026.
Brady LaRue (DB/WR, Class of 2027) emerged as one of the top defensive backs in the area as a younger varsity contributor. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound athlete earned first-team all-conference honors (the only junior DB selected), MLive Dream Team recognition, Midland News Dream Team honors, and Golden Helmet consideration. He recorded approximately 50-52 tackles, 12-16 pass breakups, two interceptions, and a blocked field goal while also contributing on offense and special teams. LaRue brings athleticism, ball skills, and versatility that will be central to the secondary and overall defense.
Leo Davis (RB/DB, Class of 2028) represents the next wave of talent. The 5-foot-7, 160 pound Incoming-Junior has already posted impressive production in limited or junior varsity action (including strong yardage and touchdown totals in early-season highlights) while contributing on both sides of the ball. With a solid GPA and growing recruiting profile through NXTGen, Davis is a multi-dimensional athlete expected to see expanded opportunities in 2026 as the program develops depth in the skill positions.Together, these four embody the energy, development, and recruiting momentum within the Warriors program.
Offseason Improvements
Willertz and his staff have continued focusing on the traits that sparked late-2025 success: energy, desire, and collective buy-in. Summer and offseason work has stressed athleticism and conditioning, building on the prior year’s emphasis on speed and agility across skill positions and the line. High participation from the returning core—particularly the large group of juniors now seniors—has been a hallmark, preparing the Warriors to handle the physical demands of SVL North play. Cultural elements like the fireside tradition reinforce program identity and accountability as the team aims for sustained competitiveness and another postseason run.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Season
Western opens with non-league tests at Saginaw United (Aug. 27) and Linden (Sept. 3) before diving into a challenging SVL North slate: home against Midland and Midland Dow, a road trip to Mount Pleasant, home vs. Traverse City Central, at Traverse City West, and the traditional home finale vs. Bay City Central. The schedule offers early opportunities to build confidence while testing depth against familiar, high-caliber foes.
With Fournier anchoring the line, Bowes leading the ground attack, LaRue locking down the secondary, Davis providing youthful explosiveness, and a strong supporting cast of experienced seniors and rising talent, the Warriors project as a more consistent contender. Goals center on improving the league mark, securing a stronger playoff seeding, and making noise in Division 3. Willertz’s group carries the lessons of 2025’s resilience and the motivation of “Get on the Wall.” If the offseason gains translate and the spotlighted athletes deliver, Bay City Western is primed for a bounce-back campaign that builds on its recent playoff foundation.
