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2026 High School Team Preview: Woodhaven Warriors

BROWNSTOWN TWP - Success has become the norm at Woodhaven under the direction of 12th-year head coach Corey Farner and this season appears no different. Six starters return from a 32-9-1 team that advanced to the Division 1 state quarterfinals.

“I feel our main strength will be our player leadership,” noted Farner, who has a 397-171-2 overall mark entering his 18th year as a head coach, the first six at Taylor Kennedy. “We have solid and consistent leaders and a competitive culture.”

Juniors Cameron Thorning and Lucas Farner headline the returning players for a program that has won seven straight district titles along with four regional titles since 2018, advancing to the state finals twice in that timeframe, 2018 and 2023. The 37th-ranked junior catcher in the country, Thorning, a Wright State commit, hit .409 with 10 doubles and 42 RBIs a year ago while  Farner batted .379 with 32 runs and 18 stolen bases. Farner had a .975 fielding percentage at second base last season but will move to short in 2026 and will also contribute on the mound after fanning 25 and walking six in 27 innings as a sophomore.

Senior Kaden Newsted returns to lead the pitching staff for the Warriors after going 7-0 with a 0.742 ERA, striking out 51 and walking 22 in 66 innings.

Another from the 2026 class, center fielder Dante Perry, is back following a campaign in which he hit .287 with six triples, 39 runs and 24 stolen bases.

Tristan Spencer, the top-rated sophomore first baseman in the state who is also a left-handed pitcher, batted .290 as a freshman with eight doubles, four triples and 36 RBIs and brings more experience for a team that must replace all-state standout Jace Davis along with a pair of pitchers, Talan Holliday-Smith and Matt Regan.

Junior Aaron Scott is the remaining starter back for the Warriors. Scott had an OBP of .400 with 17 hits, 20 walks and eight stolen bases as a sophomore.  

“Offensively, I think we will be pretty good,” Farner said. “We have some legit hitters with speed mixed in. Defensively, which was a huge strength for us last year, should be a strength again. We will be strong on the infield and behind the plate.

“Our pitching could also be a strength down the line. We have Newsted back for his senior year and his pitchability is great. Spencer returns and has added some velo and should be solid in his sophomore year. Behind them we have a group of guys that will be competing for innings.”

Sophomores Preston Scheffler and Jaxon Shufeldt are being counted on to make an impact this season with fellow sophomore Nathan Dixon in the mix to help with pitching.

“The best part of this team is the team chemistry and their work ethic,” explained Farner. “They love the game and it shows in the way they do everything. As a coach, I cannot wait to get to a workout or practice. I want to be my best for them and help them reach their goals. As Nick Saban once said, ‘the greatest thing a coach can do for his players is hold them accountable to their goals and dreams.’”

That has led to success for Farner and company.

“I would like to think our program is thought of as one of the premier programs around the state because of its consistency and the way our players compete while playing the game the right way,” Farner said.

After winning the Downriver League with a 13-3 record a year ago, Farner looks for another special season.

“The DRL will be competitive with some good pitching in the league this year,” Farner explained. “We also have great coaches in our league. Teams will come in prepared and ready to play each day. We play a pretty good non-league schedule as well to help prepare our team. We have some really good teams on the schedule this season.” 

The head coach pointed to “stacking days” as the key to success in 2026.

“It’s important for our guys to stay in the process of just getting better each day,” Farner concluded. “At the end of the day it’s just a game. A great game that teaches many life lessons. But when we are in the moment, it’s just a game. As long as we keep that in perspective and give our best on a consistent basis we will have success.”

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