News Summary

The Detroit Western High School boys soccer team is making notable progress in the MHSAA playoffs under Coach Forest Farmer. The Cowboys aim to build on last season’s achievements after securing their first District title. Despite facing challenges in scheduling competitive matches, the team continues to develop talent, with players aspiring to play at the collegiate level. Junior captain Angel Magana is a standout performer this season, illustrating the team’s competitive spirit and motivation. The support from families and the community is vital as they pursue success on the field.

Detroit

The Detroit Western High School boys soccer team has made significant strides as it competes in the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) playoffs. Under the leadership of Coach Forest Farmer, the Cowboys have demonstrated resilience and determination, aiming to build on last season’s achievements. Notably, last year, Detroit Western secured its first District title, which marked a milestone for the program that started in the 2002-03 school year.

During the 2022-2023 season, the Cowboys showcased their talent by defeating Dearborn Fordson 7-1 to clinch the District title. Their path included victories over Wyandotte Roosevelt (6-1) and a nail-biting win against U-D Jesuit, which concluded in a shootout with a score of 2-1. Despite their strong performance, they were ultimately halted in the Regional Semifinal, losing 3-0 to Detroit Catholic Central, who later went on to win the Division 1 championship. Detroit Western ended last season with a commendable record of 18 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws.

As the current season progresses, the Cowboys are off to a mixed start with a record of 4 wins and 2 losses as of September 27. Coach Farmer, who has been at the helm for six seasons, continues to navigate challenges, including establishing competitive fixtures. Historically, public schools in suburban Detroit or Grand Rapids have dominated the Class A/Division 1 championships since the initiation of the MHSAA boys soccer tournament in 1982. This trend presents challenges for teams like Detroit Western to secure competitive matches, as many established programs often avoid scheduling games with them.

Coach Farmer is proactive in arranging matches, ensuring that the Cowboys can compete in around 13 to 14 games during the season, while other teams typically participate in as many as 18. Farmer acknowledges the contributions of Birmingham Seaholm and Birmingham Brother Rice for agreeing to schedule games with Detroit Western, helping to provide the team with valuable experience against skilled opponents.

The soccer program currently boasts 22 athletes. However, it faces limitations as there are no freshman or junior varsity teams, affecting the development pipeline for the players. Notably, several athletes from Detroit Western have advanced to play soccer at the collegiate level. This includes Dylan Borzcak, who is pursuing his studies while competing as a sophomore midfielder at Oakland University. Meanwhile, senior Steve Sanchez balances his academic pursuits with his passion for soccer, maintaining a GPA of 3.5 and preparing to major in engineering, even as he opts not to play soccer at the college level.

This season, junior team captain Angel Magana is making headlines for his impressive performance, having already scored 10 goals. Magana has aspirations to continue playing soccer in college, showcasing the drive and ambition that permeates the team. He embraces the competitive spirit of being an underdog and finds motivation in facing established teams.

The players and their families exhibit strong support for the Detroit Western soccer program, fostering a sense of community and commitment. Coach Farmer’s traditional approach emphasizes long-term relationships, as he has coached many players throughout their four years of high school. This connection not only promotes skill development but also nurtures personal growth among the athletes.

As the Detroit Western Cowboys continue their campaign in the MHSAA playoffs, the dedication of the players, the guidance of Coach Farmer, and the ongoing support from the community will be essential factors in their pursuit of success on and off the field.

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Additional Resources

• MHSAA: Detroit Western High School
• MSU Spartans: Men’s Soccer Win
• WMU Broncos: Women’s Soccer Victory
• Press and Guide: Girls Soccer Update
• Dayton Flyers: Men’s Soccer Match Preview
• Wikipedia: Soccer in the United States
• Google Search: Detroit Western High School Soccer
• Google Scholar: Detroit Western Soccer
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Soccer
• Google News: Detroit Western High School Soccer

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DETROIT STAFF WRITER The DETROIT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDetroitMI.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Detroit, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Movement Electronic Music Festival, Detroit Grand Prix, and America's Thanksgiving Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Detroit Regional Chamber and Focus HOPE, plus leading businesses in automotive and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Henry Ford Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.