By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
SUAMICO – The Bay Port football team will be one of the best teams in the state this season, and now they have a pair of Division I college commits to back that statement up.
Braden Doyle, a 6-foot-4, 285-pound offensive lineman, announced he has verbally committed to play football at Central Michigan University located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.
Max Meeuwsen, a 6-foot, 250-pound defensive lineman, also announced he has verbally committed to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
“For starters, the distance from Green Bay to Central was perfect for my family,” said Doyle, who will study special-needs teaching. “That was important to me – my grandparents and parents can still come to the games, and it’s close enough to Green Bay where I can come home for a long weekend if necessary. The coaching staff and players were all great, and it felt like home when I was on campus there.”
Doyle is expecting to redshirt his freshman season.
“College is a different animal than high school,” Doyle said. “I need to get bigger and stronger. The coaches have told me they think I can get up to 300 or 305 no problem.”
Doyle said he was also offered Division I scholarships from New Mexico State, Western Illinois, South Dakota State, South Dakota, Air Force and North Dakota.
Before moving on to play for the Chippewas, Doyle is expecting a big year for his Pirates in the upcoming 2019 season.
“We have six all-state guys returning, so as I long as we stay healthy, our number-one goal will be to win a state championship,” said Doyle. “Everyone is working hard – we have to stay focused.”
Meeuwsen, who won a WIAA Division 1 heavyweight state wrestling title earlier this year, felt like he had a legitimate shot to play Division I college football beginning in his sophomore season.
“[Bay Port head football coach Gary] Westerman sat down with me and told me I could make it all happen if I worked hard and had a good junior season,” said Meeuwsen, who had approximately 10 Division I offers. “That’s what I focused on.”
Meeuwsen’s dad (Ben) played football at the Naval Academy before an injury derailed his playing career there.
Meeuwsen also has a brother (Quinn) enlisted in the Navy.
“From a young age, we’d take trips to the Naval Academy for my dad’s reunions, so that made me become interested in it,” Meeuwsen said. “But when it came time to actually pick a school for football, it didn’t factor into my decision. My dad didn’t care where I went – he’s happy for me. I didn’t feel any pressure from him at all.”
Meeuwsen said he will be a direct entry into the Naval Academy, so he will go through in four years and not be redshirted when he gets to Annapolis.
“With my dad going to the Naval Academy, I have a feel for how disciplined things will be,” added Meeuwsen, who might study economics. “I’m ready for it. I’ve heard from people that the academics are harder than the military lifestyle. I’ll have to work hard.”
Meeuwsen said he also considered attending the Air Force Academy and North Dakota State University as well.