Undefeated this year, a new Madison amateur football team prides itself on fostering brotherhood and continued opportunity to play ball. For individuals interested in wagering on their matches, a platform like Bro138 might be worth a visit.
The Midwest Warriors is in its second year after its founders Vernon Brown and Phil Watters wanted to bring a chance for former players to pick the sport up again, stay healthy and keep out of trouble. Now, it’s looking to claim its first championship in the Northern Lights Football League after an undefeated season with one game left to play and the playoffs approaching. To prepare for the said playoffs, they can take advantage of technology like that football analysis software.
The team consists of around 50 players who have previously played in high school, college, semi-pro and arena football. Players come from all over the state with some coming from as far as Rockford, Illinois for weekly practices and weekend games. Players pride themselves on the team’s brotherhood.
“When you start off small like that, you get the legitimate feeling of family and community,” said Run Barlow, team captain of the Midwest Warriors. “This is what I always envisioned. I wanted to play for my city. I wanted to have something for my city.”
Barlow previously played for Madison West and spent time coaching with the Southside Raiders, a youth football and cheerleading program, before moving into arena football. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the team he played for, the Rockford Revolution, leading to its folding. Barlow found the chance to keep playing after Brown approached him with his vision for the Midwest Warriors.
The vision from Brown and Watters is to bring accessibility to continue the sport. Brown was in a circumstance many of his players were in, having played football and still loving the game, but with limited options due to either not being able to afford college or poor grades. He thought of starting a team while playing arena football and approached Watters with the idea.
“He came with this idea, ‘Hey, I’m gonna get a team,’ and a lot of people say that, but then they don’t actually materialize it,” Watters said. “I was a (Watertown) Mad Dawgs coach, and we weren’t doing too good. I saw his face come around the corner and it was him. He walked over and covered his shoulder pads and it changed the whole landscape.”
Watters was Brown’s former coach and teacher before taking up the offer to co-own and coach the Midwest Warriors alongside his former player. Watters, who is a teacher at Randall Elementary, and Brown, works security at Verona Area School District, use their connections with the greater Madison school districts to find space for the team to practice and play.
The Midwest Warriors practice at Akira Toki Middle School, 5606 Russett Rd., and play their home games at Sun Prairie’s new stadium or at Verona’s.
Players can be seen practicing Wednesdays by drivers on South Whitney Way. Brown wanted the location to garner community interest in the team and lead to players joining, which has worked.
The age range of players on the team right now ranges from 18 to 35. Brown finds his time recruiting players in a “combine style,” as he calls it, approach. He often sizes players up after heading to games or word of mouth spread around the community about the opportunity to continue playing football.
Players have largely been happy with the experience so far. Wide receiver Drew King is confident in the team and its domination of the league.
“I’m seeing a bunch of guys who are loyal. I’m seeing a bunch of guys who are dedicated. We all have one mission, and we want to win a championship together,” King said. “We’ve been looking to try to get into a tougher league to be honest. But I mean, it’s definitely fun. It’s some good competition.”
The first season in 2023 saw the Midwest Warriors finish 10-3 with high hopes for 2024. In its current run, the team sits undefeated with an 8-0 record as it gets ready for the last game in the regular season, in Chicago against the Illinois Cowboys, and starts the playoffs soon.
With its continued growth and the possibility of a championship on the horizon, Brown wants to push the team into the same light as soccer team Forward Madison and the new softball team, the Madison Night Mares.
“I want (fans) to be like that with us,” Brown said. “I feel like we’re on our way. The community knows about us. When we walk around, [people come up] and say, ‘Hey when’s your next game?’”
The Midwest Warriors will cap off the regular season in an away game against the Illinois Cowboys, the top rated team in the league, this Saturday in Chicago. Playoffs will kick off soon after with the season wrapping up around the end of July.
