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Building the Next Wave of Champions: Quartet Trains for Greatness
Last fall, Zeeland West football stood atop Division 3 as State Champions under the bright lights of Ford Field.
But with 14 starters graduating and legendary head coach John Shillito retiring after 2 decades and 4 state titles, the Dux face a new era this fall.
4 determined athletes — Grady Patrick, Drew Albrecht, Mason Myers, and Marshall Johnson — are rising to meet that challenge by putting in extra work at PowerStrength.
Their mission is to get faster, stronger, lead the next wave of Dux football, and prepare for college ball along the way.
A CHAMPIONSHIP MINDSET
Grady Patrick, a junior tight end and defensive lineman, was the first of the group to start training at PowerStrength. He joined the Jenison location in Spring 2024 before shifting to the new Holland facility when it opened that November.
“I was one of the weakest in my class last year,” Patrick said about before he started training at PowerStrength. “Now I’m one of the strongest. I’ve gotten a lot more confident from coming here.”
Initially on junior varsity, Grady was called up for the Dux’s playoff run and now enters the 2025 season stronger, quicker, and more confident than ever.
LEADING THE OFFENSE
Junior quarterback and safety Drew Albrecht was a key piece of last year’s championship run, starting at safety and stepping in at quarterback when needed. This fall, he’ll take the reins as the full-time QB — and he’s spent the offseason making sure he’s ready.
“Last season I was around 185 pounds. Now I’m over 200 and way faster and more agile,” said Albrecht, who joined PowerStrength Holland as soon as it opened. “The gains I’ve made here — strength, speed, mental toughness — they’ll show up on the field. It’s exciting.”
Drew’s training hasn’t just been physical. He credits PowerStrength’s coaching environment with sharpening his mental edge.
“The intensity of the workouts definitely helps with your mental toughness. The specific and personalized training at PowerStrength helps you develop like you want to develop.”
THE TRENCHES GOT STRONGER
Seniors Mason Myers and Marshall Johnson started on the offensive line last year, and when they saw the difference training at PowerStrength was making for their teammates — they wanted in. Both joined this Spring and are already feeling the benefits.
“I saw how fast and strong my teammates were getting, and I wanted to do the same,” said Marshall, who also started at defensive end last season.
Johnson is making the move from guard to tight end this Fall on offense.
“I feel a lot faster, quicker, more explosive. Working so hard here makes me more comfortable pushing myself when I’m out on the football field.”
For Mason, the transformation has been both physical and mental.
“I’ve gained weight, muscle, agility, and speed. I feel more athletic. When I’m on the football field I feel a lot more confident in myself and just better.”
WHY POWERSTRENGTH?
All 4 athletes train consistently with their team at school – but wanted to make sure they had every advantage possible to be elite.
“PowerStrength focuses on speed, agility, and there’s more attention on you,” said Mason. “They help you, they’re into it with you. That helps you get better.”
“Having a coach actually watching, coaching, and pushing you during the sets makes a big difference,” Marshall added. “The environment here has a lot of energy, a lot of effort being put in, it causes people to push themselves. You won’t find that anywhere else.”
EYES ON THE FUTURE
The 2025 season brings change — a new head coach in longtime assistant Jeff Bolhouse, a younger roster, and big shoes to fill. But these 4 aren’t backing down.
“A lot of people didn’t expect us to win last year and don’t expect us to be able to win it again this year,” Marshall said. “We are trying to keep building and get better so that we can go and do it twice.”
“Most of it is a leadership piece, we have a bunch of young guys and the seniors need to take charge and bring the team together,” Mason added. “I know we’ve got a good team, but how can we make this better? PowerStrength helps me get better.”
Each of these athletes also has their eyes on playing college football. For them, PowerStrength is not just about high school success — it’s about what comes next.
“The training prepares you,” Drew said. “You’ve got to stick with it mentally, and that can help you transition to the next level.”
BUILT FOR MORE
For these 4 Dux athletes, PowerStrength is more than a gym — it’s a launchpad.
“PowerStrength is the best strength program in Michigan,” Grady said.
“If you want to play at the next level or do anything after high school, then this is your best bet, this is what you should be doing,” Drew said.
“I tell my friends if they want to get better, play at the next level, this is the place to be,” Mason said. “PowerStrength is the place you want to be if you want to get better.”
“If you want to get bigger, stronger, and faster, this is the place to come,” Marshall said. “PowerStrength is the best place to come to get better.”
From Ford Field to future college stadiums, this Zeeland West crew is proving that success doesn’t happen by accident — it’s built with effort, energy, and elite preparation.
GET STARTED AT POWERSTRENGTH
4th-12th grade athletes of all sports and abilities can also sign up at PowerStrength at any time while spots remain. Choose the PowerStrength location most convenient for you – Alpine, Kentwood, Jenison, Plainfield, and Holland.
Visit https://powerstrengthpro.com/athlete/contact/ to learn more or click below to schedule your assessment and get started.
