MONROE – Semi-pro football is coming back to Monroe.
Navarre Field, which previously was home to the Southern Michigan Timberwolves and Southeast Michigan Red Storm, will host its first game for the Michigan Bulls on Saturday, May 10.
The new team didn’t pick an easy opener.
It will host one of the most storied franchises in semi-pro football history when the Racine Raiders come to town for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
How did Monroe wind up with a new football team?
“We were looking for a stable, good field in a good neighborhood,” said Michael Anderson, team owner and linebacker. “Mary West, one of our trainers is from Monroe, she suggested it. I just called the athletic director out there and set it up.”
Monroe should be getting a quality team.
The second-year franchise compiled a 13-4 record last season and won both the National Football Events Alliance Bowl on Sept. 28 of 2024 and the Tangerine Bowl in Altamonte Springs, Fla. on Jan. 18 of this year.
“It was a blessing,” Anderson said of the first season.
The team is off to a 1-1 start. It opened with a 20-16 road loss to the Illinois Cowboys on April 26, then pulled out a 32-29 victory over the Cincinnati Dukes last week.
The Bills have some local talent on the roster.
“We have seven or eight guys from Monroe,” Anderson said. “We have a couple of Red Storm guys who joined up last year.”
Former Red Storm players Jacobe Chavis, Logan Monaghan, Shawn West and Michael Chavis are on the roster along with ex-Timberwolf Jay Kay and Monroe residents David Moore and Eric Moore.
Anderson founded the Bills in 2023 with Brieanna Boyd after he parted ways with the Wayne County Badgers.
Why did he want to own a semi-pro football team?
“I really didn’t,” he said with a laugh. “They made me do it. I was one of the older guys.”
Anderson played in high school for Detroit Kettering. He has fond memories of Navarre Field from his days playing for the Wayne County Badgers.
“It was always a nice environment when I played there,” he said “Hopefully, we will have good luck there.”
The Bills could use some good fortune Saturday.
Racine, the second-oldest franchise in semi-pro football in the country, currently is ranked No. 1 nationally.
Anderson and fellow linebacker Clinton Wade are the leaders of the defense for the Bills.
Offensive standouts are running backs Lorenzo White Jr. (no relation to the former Michigan State star) and Alexander Carter and receiver Delvon Hines.
This is the first of three straight home games for the Bills. They will host the Cleveland Rams on May 17 and the Motor City Rams on May 24.
Admission for fans age 12 and older is $10. Anyone younger is free and seniors age 65 and older and current or former military with ID get in for $7.
MICHIGAN BILLS
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
April 26: Illinois Cowboys 20, Bills 16
May 3: Bills 32, Cincinnati Dukes 29
May 10: RACINE RAIDERS, 7 p.m.
May 17: CLEVELAND RAMS, 7 p.m.
May 24: MOTOR CITY RAMS, 7 p.m.
May 31: at Indy Bison, 7 p.m.
June 7: vs. Baltimore Lightning at Morgan State
June 14: CINCINNATI HAWKS, 7 p.m.
June 21: at Detroit Ravens, 7 p.m.
June 28: CIRCLE CITY WARHAWKS, 7 p.m.
July 12: at Ohio Valley Ironmen, 7 p.m.
ROSTER
00- Pierce Brown
0- RJ Hebron
1- Delvon Hines
2- Bre Lowe
3- Brynson Barnett Jr.
4- Michael Anderson
5- Traivon Clayton
6- Antoine Burgess
7- Deontae Baber
8- Clinton Wade
9- Derrion Gould
10- Da’Vion Haynes
11- Vonn Williams
12- Jacquez Hall
13- Chauncey Lowman
14- Jamon Benson
15- DeAndre Smith
16- Ryan Mickens
17- KyShaun Jackson
18- Travell Freeman
18- Jamal Champele
20- Javon Perry Jr.
21- Jacobe Chavis
22- Logan Monaghan
23- John Dozier
24- DaVaughn Smith
25- Christopher Dennis Jr.
25- Julius Smith
26- David Moore
27- Josh Wiley
28- Jaheim Stokes
29- Dante Ollie
32- Carter Alexander
33- Jeremiah Davis
34- Lorenzo White Jr.
35- Darwin Brooks
39- Jay Kay
40- Khalil Williams
43- Keenan Smith
44- Tyrell Yharbrough
45- DeVonte Johnson
50- Rashaad Powell
52- Brandon Askin
54- Joseph Shackleford
55- Derion Gould
60- Shawn West
62- Michael Chavis
64- Jamere Philips
65- Cordero Williams
66- Jeremiah Alford
70- Jeff Dunning
72- Jaden Angell
75- Harrison Watkins V
77- Eric Moore
81- George Grandberry
92- Brandon Jones
95- Adrien Williams
98- Elijah Ollie
99- Roderick Bridges
Jered Williams
Damontez Borden
Dayvon Thompson
Arshad Khan
Eli Kevin Philips
Yusef Abdul Eziz
Corey Watkins Jr.
Paris Powell
Derrick Baxter Jr.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Semi-pro Michigan Bills to play first game at Navarre Field Saturday
Reporting by Niles Kruger, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
