After three years of building the Wayne program in his image, Coach Sherwood Haydock had a breakthrough campaign with his Generals a year ago.
Some will look at the 5-5 overall record and discount what was done, but you dig deeper and see that not only was in the program’s best season since 2018, there is enough coming back to believe that the bottom won’t drop out after one-year spurts in 2014 and 2018.
Eight starters return on defense, paced by seniors Kimar Nelson (92 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks), Jayden Busche (52 tackles, 6.5 TFL), Victur Doughty (40 tackles) and Bravion Queary (35 tackles, 5.5 TFL).
Wayne had a total of 31 sacks as a team in 2023, of which 22 of those return.
In the secondary, Adrian Wooten and Doughty return a combined nine interceptions. Three more seniors – Jacob Sharin, Quinton Thomas and Lenahs Martin – also return with INTs on the resume.
All that production back is encouraging for a defensive unit that held five opponents to 12 points or less. In fact, outside of lopsided defeats at the hands of Snider and Homestead, the Generals allowed an average of 13.1 points per contest.
Nelson is back as the team’s leading rusher, going for 529 yards and six scores last year. Sharin and Josiah Stallings combined for rushing attempts and are both back and early to finish their prep careers strong.
Wayne does need to replace some bodies in the trenches, with Zaire Sullivan, Peyton Alt and Kenyon Davis all gone. That may be the biggest question for the Generals, particularly offensively.
Or it may be QB1. Marcus Cooper was solid last season as a senior, throwing for 1,249 yards and 12 touchdowns. In steps HJ Dillard. Yes, THAT HJ Dillard, the hooper who is a multi-year starter on the Wayne basketball team and averaged 12.4 points per game last season. Dillard brings athleticism to the position but not a lot of experience.
But when in doubt, Dillard just has to look for Harold Mack. The senior wideout with a host of MAC scholarship offers is a big-play machine, having averaged 18.5 yards per reception last season to go with five touchdowns.
WHY #7?
With big-play production and a lot of proven defenders back, the expectations for Wayne are as high as they have been in the Haydock era. Even with five losses last year, three of those were close against good teams – 24-21 against Bishop Luers, 17-10 at Carroll and 21-10 at Bishop Dwenger to open sectional play.
The non-conference schedule is manageable with Crispus Attucks and South Bend Riley, so Wayne should be able to build confidence heading into road tests at Homestead and Bishop Luers in early September. A win against the Knights would put Wayne in the driver’s seat to win its division.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Offensive line and quarterback. How will Dillard do in his first experience on Friday nights on the football field? And not just that, but being the starting quarterback?
If Dillard can be that guy, with the offensive line provide him protection to make plays? Can the running game that had its moments last year find consistency behind a front line that has to replace some dogs?
Those questions loom large.
CRITICAL GAME
Week 4 at Bishop Luers
Wayne’s first division game is a doozy, at Luersfield to take on the Knights. This one was close a year ago, a three-point dub by Luers, which went on to win the division, a share of the SAC title and the 2A championship.
The Generals have lost five straight in the series. A victory on the road here would give Wayne the momentum in the division and fuel their quest to finish atop the standings.
CRUCIAL PLAYER
HJ Dillard, quarterback
We know Dillard can ball on the basketball court. How is he on the football field? Coach Haydock has confidence in the newbie to direct the offense and make plays. The fact that he is a senior helps, somewhat, in that he should have the confidence in the big moments. He has been in plenty of those in hoops for the Generals. Dillard’s success is directly tied to how impactful Wayne can be in the SAC this year.
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