WAYNESBORO – A new season has dawned for the Waynesboro Area Senior High School varsity football team.
And with it comes a new division for the Indians. During the offseason, the Mid-Penn Conference made a radical realignment when it devised two 10-team divisions (Commonwealth and Keystone) along with the Colonial and Capital divisions.
Consequently, Waynesboro will play only one non-division game, and that’s the season opener at home against Greencastle-Antrim on Friday at 7 p.m.
Waynesboro was moved from the Colonial Division to the Keystone Division.
That means some challenges for game plans and scouting. But, come game time, it boils down to lining up and taking one play at a time.
“We had only five seniors last year,” said Waynesboro head coach Mark Saunders. “This year we’ve got 12 seniors. We have some guys with experience.”
That’s cause for optimism. Last season, the Tribe finished 2-8. But that was with precious few experienced players and a first-year starting quarterback (Rayshawn Frazer-Smith), a player with lots of raw talent but behind a very inexperienced offensive line.
Frazer-Hewitt will be under center again this season. Ahead of him is an offensive line with one more year under their belts and plenty of size and strength. At center is Gabe Clayton, who came to Waynesboro from Tennessee and worked his way into the starting lineup. The left side of the line consists of guard Matt Bosseler and tackle Mick Torbica. Kyle Swanson fills the right guard spot, and Luke Gorezesky will play right tackle.
“We have a Wing-T base, and we’ll spend a lot of time in shotgun,” said Saunders, who will call the plays. “It accentuates what (Frazer-Hewitt) can do. He’ll get the ball out of his hands quicker.”
The Wing-T is an effective offense in that all the motion and pulling by the offensive line keeps defenses on their toes.
“We’re a little more multiple on offense,” Saunders added. “The biggest thing that’s changed is from an athletic standpoint. We’re faster. We have Keyan Mobley, who didn’t play football last year. He’s unbelievably athletic. Steve Howard is a kid who can run away from people.”
Mobley, Howard, Gunner Shifflett and Calvin Myers will be Frazer-Hewitt’s passing targets.
“I like the development of the offensive line. The line is going to be important. I’m expecting those guys to help us.”
Saunders also likes what he sees at the tight end position.
“We have three good tight ends,” he said. “Ben Williams played guard and defensive end last year. This year, he’s playing tight end and linebacker. He’s very versatile. Kean Baumgardner and Cody
Morgan have worked hard. I’m proud of all the work they put in. Those three tight ends can offset some of our weaknesses. They can block, but they also can go out and catch passes and make people miss.”
Waynesboro has some very capable ball carriers in the backfield – Nathan Nolan, Hayden Nolan, Tank Benedict, and Anthony Ausherman.
The defense will no doubt be put to the test in the new division. Led by linebacker Andrew Florek (a second-team All-Colonial Division selection in 2023), the Indians are looking forward to the challenge.
“He gets to the ball and makes plays,” Saunders said of Florek.
Williams will play opposite Florek in the 4-2-5 defense. Benedict, Ethan Alldredge (the backup quarterback), and Myers (a wide receiver) will also play linebacker.
Ausherman will see action on the defensive line, as well as Adkins, Kean Baumgardner, and Matt Bosseler.
Frazer-Hewitt will also play in the defensive backfield at cornerback. Gunner Shifflett and Hayden Nolan join Frazer-Hewitt.
“I want to see us create turnovers and not turn the ball over,” Saunders said. “Our goal on defense is to prevent explosive plays of 20 or more yards. On offense, I’d like to see us put together 10 to 12 play drives. Doing these things will give our team a chance. I like the chemistry of our team.”
ROSTER
Seniors – Keyan Mobley, Ethan Alldredge, Owen Shockey, Gunner Shifflett, Nathan Nolan, Hayden Nolan, Ben Williams, Gabe Blake, Brett Shockey, Alex Torbica, Calvin Myers, Cody Morgan, Tank Benedict, Andrew Florek, Nathaniel Adkins, Kyle Swanson, Daniel Olvjotan, Gabe Clayton
Juniors – Rayshawn Frazer-Hewitt, Steven Howard, Kean Baumgardner, Austin Willequer, Shaun Smith, Devin Keefer, Carson Costello, Mick Torbica, Evan Dirr, Korbin Foster, Ayden Strausbaugh, Sage Henson
Sophomores – Trenton Urey, Anthony Ausherman, Alex Cabrera, Zach Carpenter, Kory Chilcote, Brody Wile, Luke Gorezesky, Cayden Lengyel, Jace Gibson, Matthew Bosseler, Gavin Starkey
Freshmen – Larry Taylor
COACHES
Head coach – Mark Saunders, defensive coordinator – Scott McClure, defensive line – Andrew Paterno, running backs – Jake Wertz, linebackers – Matt Paterno, wide receivers/outside linebackers – Adam Wertz, offensive line – Pat Reed, tight ends – Warren Hostetter, athletic trainer – Marla Smith
SCHEDULE
Aug. 23, Greencastle-Antrim, 7 p.m.
Aug.30, Gettysburg, 7 p.m.
Sept. 6, Shippensburg, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13, at Red Land, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20, at Palmyra, 7 p.m.
Sept. 27, Northern, 7 p.m.
Oct. 4, at Mifflin County, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11, at Mechanicsburg, 7 p.m.
Oct. 18, at Lower Dauphin, 7 p.m.
Oct. 25, Hershey, 7 p.m.
