The 2025 season could be described as a season of domination for the Bishop Garrigan Golden Bear football team. Bishop Garrigan ran the table, finishing the season 13-0 and with their second 8-player state title in the past three seasons. Bishop Garrigan was rarely challenged along the way, winning every game by 24 or more points prior to the state title game, where the Golden Bears overcame a 36-14 fourth quarter deficit to stun Woodbine 44-42.
With the focus turning towards 2026, Bishop Garrigan has plenty of talent returning to the gridiron. They also have plenty of starters to replace from the 2025 state title team, starting at quarterback, where three-year starter Tate Foertsch will be replaced by Michael Joyce, who last year was Foertsch’s top receiving target.
Bishop Garrigan Head Coach Marty Wadle is confident that Joyce is ready to take the reins to the quarterback position.
In addition to Joyce’s ability to make plays with his legs, Bishop Garrigan brings a crowded running back room into 2026. CJ McGregor is the lead returning rusher, as McGregor went for 650 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground last season, serving as a change of pace from the power run game of the now-graduated Ethan Marso. Carter Cink carried the rock for 301 yards last season, while Titan Troyer is also expected to factor into the run game after missing a big chunk of 2025 due to injury. Sean Thilges rounds out a room that gives Bishop Garrigan plenty of choices.
Wadle says the quality of the running talent will allow the Golden Bears to spread out the opportunities to carry the football.
The offensive line returns one out of last season’s three starters, with senior Nate Leerar. Karson Kramer is expected to step into a full time starting role after playing part time when the Golden Bears employed formations with an extra lineman last season. Hayden Miller is also among likely starting trio, transitioning from a tight end last season to a guard this year.
Bishop Garrigan does bring back plenty of experience with their tight ends, as seniors Madden Miller and Weston Rosenmeyer combined to catch 11 touchdown passes last season, while sophomore Jack Muller also looks to make an impact at the position.
Between the line and the tight ends, Wadle is pleased with where Bishop Garrigan currently stands up front.
Defensively, Bishop Garrigan limited opponents to less than 14 points per game in 2025, with three shutout wins. Bishop Garrigan consistently won the turnover battle, forcing 34 turnovers in 13 games. The four leading Golden Bear tacklers from last season all graduated, but plenty of talent still returns for 2026.
Joyce leads the secondary after picking off five passes last season, second on the team to Foertsch’s 10.
Madden Miller is the teams leading returning tackler, giving Bishop Garrigan plenty of experience at linebacker, while Kramer and Rosenmeyer both saw regular snaps on the defensive line in 2025 and return as well.
Wadle expects Bishop Garrigan’s schedule, which now features a 2023 state championship game rematch at Bedford in place of a cancelled game against Rockford, to present some big tests to the defending champions.
Bishop Garrigan opens the season with a road trip to Kingsley-Pierson on August 28th, before the home opener on September 4th versus Riceville.
