Led by a senior class comprised of 26 players, Walled Lake Western posted one of the best seasons in school history, culminating in a runner-up season in Division 2. The Warriors were contained by Detroit Martin Luther King, 18-0 on Friday, but the season will be remembered for years to come as a success.

“It’s been a great journey for all of our seniors,” Western’s Cody White said. “We did this together.”

Unbeaten until Friday’s title game apart from having to forfeit a season-opening victory after the fact, Western made its third appearance in the state finals in program history. The team had previously won 1996 and 1999 championships.

En route to the title game, the Warriors were crowned KLAA North Division champions, Lakes Conference champion, outscored opponents 502-252 and racked up a number of personal accolades.

Head coach Mike Zdebski said he was proud of his team’s effort in the finals, as well as its commitment and dedication throughout the season to reach the big stage for the first time in 17 years.

“Many of these guys are irreplaceable,” Zdebski said of his departing seniors. “Johnny Tracy is one of the best quarterbacks we’ve had. Jack Dodge is one of the best free safeties we’ve had and Cody (White) is one of the best defensive backs, slot receives, everything we’ve ever had at the school.

“That’s what allowed us to get to this point today with a lot of other very good high school players. There’s a lot of guys that won’t play football after today, but they put in the work that you need to be a really good football team, getting in the weight room and doing all of those things.”

A transfer to the team for his senior year, Tracy passed for more than 2,100 yards and 23 touchdowns, sharing quarterback reps with the White, who tossed nine touchdowns, ran for eight scores, and caught nine more touchdowns as a receiver. White, who will play college football at Michigan State next season, performed as one of the elite players in the state all season long with nearly 1,600 all-purpose yards as a senior.

Additionally, seniors Jalen Marshall eclipsed 900 yards rushing and Kam Ford went over 1,100 yards receiving.

Senior defensive back Jack Dodge also established a new program record for career interceptions by nabbing seven this season.

Western’s journey through the state playoffs contained some adversity, as the team survived an opening round game against conference rival South Lyon by successfully defending a late-game two-point conversion that could have spelled doom, but instead resulted in a one-point win.

Additional wins over Pinckney and Fenton positioned the Warriors for a rematch with its cross-state arch-rival, Lowell, in the semifinals. Western built an impressive first-half lead, but had to hang on for dear life as Lowell roarer back. The Warriors made the plays at the end to advance, 37-34.

“I’m always going to be grateful for Walled Lake Western and the community,” Tracy said. “Ever since I transferred in January, they took me in. I made some friends I know I’ll have for life. This season was a dream come true with some experiences I’ll never forget. Being able to play at Ford Field is great.”

Next season, Western will return four players on offense that started the Division 2 title game, led by wide receiver Justin Thomas and a trio of linemen, Joey George, Zack Fodal and Ryan Dickinson.

Defensively, the Warriors will have several key contributors back with starting linebackers Zak Kempster and Johnathon Moffett and defensive backs Ben Reilly and Dylan McGorisk still in the fold.

Western concluded the season 12-2, tying for the second most wins in a season in program history.

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