Watseka Warriors Aim for Breakout Season in 2025 Football Campaign

The Watseka Warriors are gearing up for the 2025 high school football season with renewed optimism, aiming to build on recent improvements. Under the direction of Max Fransen, who enters his fourth season as head coach, the team is focused on breaking through after finishing with a record of 3-6 last year. Following two challenging seasons with just one win each in 2021 and 2022, the Warriors have demonstrated progress and are poised for further development this year.

Fransen emphasized the team’s strong work ethic and camaraderie. “We’ve got a good group of kids that come out every day ready to work,” he stated. “Our numbers are small, but our hearts are big. Football is hard, so it’s easy to stay home, but these guys show heart, and I can’t say how much that means to me.”

Strong Experienced Lineup

A key aspect of Watseka’s strategy lies in the experience within their offensive and defensive lines. Fransen highlighted the importance of this group, stating, “The people I always highlight are my line, and they have a whole bunch of experience coming back.” The returning players include junior Justin Covarrubias and seniors Kayden Brault, Pete Jeglinski, Zach Wichtner, and Noah Hanson, all of whom have participated in at least two years of competitive play.

On the offensive side, the Warriors are set to benefit from the leadership of senior Austin Morris, who transitions from running back to quarterback this fall. “He’s been a phenomenal leader for us, and I’m really happy with his growth,” Fransen remarked. “It’s really good when your best leader is under center, and that’s what we have this year.”

The running back position will be held by senior Dennis Goodman, while junior Frankie Shervino is expected to make a significant impact as a promising talent. Additionally, returning tight ends Dale Hebert and Lucas Shoemaker will contribute to the offensive strategy.

New faces are also anticipated to make their marks. Senior Payton Schaumburg will be wearing the shoulder pads for the first time, and sophomore Brayden Lease is expected to bring considerable strength and physicality to the field.

Aiming for Playoff Return

In previous seasons, the Warriors had a successful run, making four consecutive playoff appearances from 2016 through 2019. However, they have not returned to the playoffs since then, which adds urgency to their current efforts. The team began last season strongly, winning three consecutive games, including a notable victory over Oakwood, a team that ultimately secured a playoff spot.

Fransen expressed a clear vision for the season ahead, stating, “You just want to see them grow every day and continue to take the right steps. That’s something we talk about regularly, focusing on what’s important right now, and right now it’s getting better each and every day.”

As the Warriors prepare for the challenges of the upcoming season in the Vermilion Valley Conference, they are fueled by a desire to improve and reclaim their position as a competitive force in high school football. The combination of experienced players and dedicated coaching could well set the stage for Watseka’s much-anticipated breakout season in 2025.