Bay Port aims to take next step
SUAMICO – The Bay Port football team has the potential to be a lot of things this season.
One thing it will not be is shy.
A 25-second video clip from a July workout serves as a microcosm of the never-back-down mentality the Pirates will have in pursuit of some lofty goals.
The video features sophomore Jayden Montgomery and junior Matt Grzybowski competing against each other in a tug of war with a tire at the 50-yard line of the football field.
“The reality is you’re teaching kids to be physical,” Bay Port football coach Gary Westerman said about the drill in the video, which received 1.4 million views on Twitter and was shared by ESPN.
“You can’t just throw a medicine ball against a wall in a controlled setting and then come play football. It doesn’t work. It’s not just about pushing a weight in a controlled situation. You need to be able to push weight and be competitive in an uncontrolled situation.”
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Bay Port finds itself in a familiar situation as the Fox River Classic Conference favorite again this season.
With 11 returning all-conference players back – including a pair of NCAA Division I recruits – the Pirates are looking to extend their 27-game conference winning streak to earn a fourth straight FRCC title.
Its aspirations are much higher than that, though, as the squad aims to extend its season to Week 14.
“Let’s not shy away from that goal,” Westerman said. “But now how can we get there? It’s a daily process of what we’re doing.
“We’ve got to be better tomorrow than we were today. We’ve got to be better in Week 2 than we were in Week 1. That’s it. That’s what they can control, and that’s what our focus will be once we get them to understand that we don’t have to shy away from what we want to accomplish.”
The cupboard is full when it comes to experience and talent on Bay Port’s roster.
A bulk of a defense that allowed only 9.8 points per game returns. It’s littered with three-year starters, like senior Max Meeuwsen, who had 65 tackles, 18 sacks and four forced fumbles as a junior.
The 2018 FRCC defensive player of the year won the WIAA Division 1 state heavyweight title in wrestling and is verbally committed to the Naval Academy.
On the flip side, the Pirates return almost their entire offensive line, which is led by senior Braden Doyle.
The 2018 FRCC co-offensive lineman of the year advanced to the WIAA state track and field meet in the discus and is verbally committed to Central Michigan University.
“Anytime you are good up front you have a chance to be good,” Westerman said.
Senior Isaiah Gash, the team’s leading rusher last year with 1,646 yards and 30 touchdowns, is also back.
Meanwhile, senior Andrew Thomas gained valuable experience at quarterback in the playoffs last year following an injury to Jake Plummer.
Although there won’t be many unknowns within its lineup, Bay Port’s success could very well come down to role players being ready to step up like Thomas did last year when their number is called.
“Kids are always going to surprise you,” Westerman said. “There is always going to be three, four or five kids that are going to do things you didn’t think they could do. That’s the best part about it. That’s what’s exciting. That’s why you coach.”
Bay Port at a glance
Coach: Gary Westerman, 8th season, 69-11
Last year: 11-1
All-conference players to replace:
Jake Plummer, QB, 2nd team
Cody Lindquist, WR, 1st team
Mars McGriff, OLB, 1st team
Dylan Grosskreutz, DB, 1st team
All-conference players returning:
Isaiah Gash, RB, 1st team
Cole Weber, TE, HM
Braden Doyle, OL, 1st team
Jacob Nugent, OL, 1st team
Daniel Forystek, OL, HM
Austin Heim, K, 1st team
Max Meeuwsen, DE, 1st team
Jose Ramirez, DL, 1st team
Call Verlanic, ILB, 1st team
Jayden Montgomery, ILB, HM
Logan Geissler, DB, 1st team
2019 Schedule
Aug. 22 Manitowoc
Aug. 29 at G.B. Preble
Sept. 6 at Notre Dame Academy
Sept. 13 G.B. Southwest
Sept. 20 De Pere
Sept. 27 at Sheboygan North
Oct. 4 at Ashwaubenon
Oct. 11 Sheboygan South
Oct. 18 Pulaski