Offseason Momentum
Bark River‑Harris enters the 2026 football season as the West‑PAC Iron Division champions, riding the momentum of a 10‑2 record from 2025 that carried the team to the Division 8 state semifinal and left them just one game short of Ford Field.
Only three starters have graduated, meaning the majority of the 2024 roster returns and the coaching staff believes that continuity will be a major factor in maintaining high performance.
Senior running back Gionni McDonough, who earned Offensive Player of the Year honors, will anchor the offense, while senior linebacker Lucas Martin, the Defensive Player of the Year, returns to lead the defense.
A New Standard of Effort
Head coach Caleb Adams praised the offseason atmosphere, describing the players as “fun to work with” and noting an “intense” level of effort that has set a new standard for the program.
Andrew Johnson, a senior fullback and linebacker, echoed the sentiment, saying the senior‑heavy class has fostered a chemistry that the team has not experienced before.
The program’s philosophy centers on player development and character growth, with the coaching staff emphasizing that success is measured beyond the scoreboard.
Looking ahead, Bark River‑Harris will open the season at home against Westwood on August 28 at 7:00 p.m. ET, a matchup that will test the team’s readiness for another push toward district and regional titles.