Wayne football is trying something new this season. A year after winning five of their nine games, the Eagles are moving from Class B to the independent league for 2024.
The program joins a list of 17 Section V teams that will play independent schedules this season. Coach David Marean told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle last March that the Eagles had only 19 players last fall and were supplemented by JV call-ups, and that the decision to drop out of regional competition was “the best thing for our football program.”
The move gave Wayne more flexibility in scheduling and the ability to book traditional rivals such as Palmyra-Macedon. The Eagles’ schedule consists primarily of teams from Wayne County and the Finger Lakes region.
“I know our kids are excited to play against the same Finger Lakes schools as all other sports at our school,” Marean said. “It’s exciting to play against our neighboring schools and rekindle our rivalries. We’re also excited to play on our new artificial turf field at Eagle Stadium. It should be a fun and great experience for our kids and our program.”
Wayne’s departures last season include: All-Greater Rochester honorable mentions from Eli Mackey and Elliot Santos.
Wayne Football at a glance
- Head coach: David Marean
- Classification: Independent
- Last season’s results: 5-4 (defeat in the semi-finals of Class B)
- Last Section V Championship: N/A
Wayne Football Schedule for 2024 Season
- Friday, September 13th: in Lyons/Sodus, 7 p.m.
- Friday, September 20: vs. Newark/Marion, 7 p.m.
- Friday, September 27: at Marcus Whitman/Bloomfield, time to be announced
- Friday, October 4: vs. Edison, 7pm
- Friday, October 11: vs. Dansville-Wayland-Cohocton, 7 p.m
- Friday, October 18: at Greece Olympia/Odyssey, 6 p.m.
- Friday, October 25: vs. Geneva, 7pm
- Friday, November 1st: in Palmyra-Macedon, 7 p.m.
Marquee matches for Wayne
At the end of the regular season, Wayne will face rival Pal-Mac in the Border Bowl. The game will resume in 2023 after a one-year break due to the Federation’s scheduling.
Wayne’s best returning players
RB Tommy Ashby, HB/LB Khalen Clark, WR/DB Harry “LJ” Croft, OL/DL Gehrig Locker, OL/DL Corey Newton, OL/DL Jackson Schultz, OL/DL Zac Serensca, OL/DL Connor Vogt, DL Daeqwon Williams
