Bay City Central and Bay City Western are two inner city rivals that have an intense rivalry. This is not just a football rivalry but in any sport the two teams play each other in. Football for the two schools brings out the biggest crowd. The annual football game is credited as the “biggest sporting event of the year”. No matter the record of the two schools, the nigh they play is the place to be in Bay City that night.

MVP

Jordan Wilson

Bay City Central

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Tyler Beyette

Bay City Central

Tyler is a returning starter for the varsity team. He has been named to the Saginaw Valley All Academic Team in football and wrestling. He is also a member of our Link Crew, a group of students that mentor incoming freshman. He is a member of the National Honor Society and treasurer of Ecclesia. He plans to study Pre-Med in college but is undecided of a choice of universities at this time.

Cole Thomas Rechsteiner

Bay City Western

Cole is a senior at BCW and carries a 4.25 GPA. Cole has been accepted to SVSU and Michigan Tech. He has applied to MSU and UM. Cole has taken two Advanced Placement courses for three straight years, he is an active member of the National Honor Society and his church. Cole has played four years of football, four years of varsity wrestling, and will be on the track team this spring for his fourth year. During the 2014-2015 wrestling season, Cole qualified for the state individual tournament and has medaled in the hurdles at the Bay County and Saginaw Valley League track invites.

HALL OF FAME

Michael White

Bay City Central

Michael was a Linebacker and running back during our 1988 game with Bay City Western. It was the last game of the season and brutally cold. Our regular kicker was sick and couldn’t play in the game. Late in the game, with the score tied 0-0, we called on Michael to kick the game winning field goal. He stepped up and nailed it right through the middle of the uprights securing a 3 – 0 victory. Michael is now entering his 25th coaching with us.

Dan and Dave Goetz

Bay City Western

Bay City Western twin brothers Dan and Dave Goetz were SVL All-Valley running backs that played key roles in both 1986 and 1987 Warrior victories over Bay City Central. As #42 and #24 were not just “mirror images” of themselves, but as equally prolific athletes on and off the field. Serving as Team Captains, in the 1987 game Dan carried the ball 18 times for 139 yards and two touchdowns and returned a kickoff 72 yards for a third TD while Dave had 16 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown. The Bay City Headlines read: Western Warrior reign as city’s football kings Final score: Western – 26, Central – 15 Both were recognized as Co-Holders of the 1987 Golden Helmet Award as the area’s best Class A Football Players. As Track athlete’s they became Western’s first ever individual “All State” finishers, and competing in the Jr. National Track and Field Championships earning “All-American” honors in the Decathlon. Dan was voted as the Top Male Scholar-Athlete of the Saginaw Valley League. Following graduation, they both earn “full-scholarships” to play football as defensive backs at Northwood Institute, where they earned NAIA Academic All-American Honors. In 1999, Dan and Dave were inducted to the Bay County Sports Hall of Fame.

GAME SUMMARY

Both teams came out in the first half firing on all cylinders. One touch down after the next from both teams. The first half ended with a score of 14-14 and neither team seemed to be the favorite. During halftime SSgt Dejong was also able to participate in an interview up in the press box. The second half was a totally different story. Bay City Central’s defense came out with vengeance completely stopping the Bay City Western offence. The Bay City Central offense followed suit with two more touchdowns closing the third quarter with a score of 28-14. Into the fourth quarter and end of the game Bay City Central proved to be too much for Bay City Western. Western was held to their two touchdowns for the entire game and the clock hit zeros with a score of 41-14.