Longtime Franklin County football rivals Waynesboro and Greencastle-Antrim no longer share the same division, but make no mistake, the distaste between the backyard adversaries hasn’t gone anywhere.
And now, following months of weight lifting, conditioning, and seven-on-seven drills, the Blue Devils and Indians are set to meet in a contest they’ve had circled on their respective calendars all summer.
Greencastle will play host to Waynesboro on Friday in a season-opening matchup that we’ve selected as our Game of the Week.
Trying to determine who has the upper hand in this contest is a fool’s errand. Both programs were heavily rocked by the graduation bug and could have some growing pains this fall, but both teams also possess some young talent that could shine under the lights for years to come.
In our estimation, it’s anyone’s game, but recent history has been on the side of the Tribe, who have won two straight in the head-to-head series, and 10 of the last 13.
Get to Kaley Field early if you want to have a seat.
In the weeks and months to come throughout the high school sports season, we plan on spotlighting multiple teams and sports with our Game of the Week. Any big upcoming contests we should know about? Send suggestions to Andy Sandrik via email at [email protected].
Waynesboro at Greencastle-Antrim
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m., at Greencastle-Antrim
Last season: The visiting Indians are coming off a 2-8 campaign, while the Blue Devils played to a 4-6 record last fall.
Last meeting: Waynesboro posted a 27-21 win over the Blue Devils in last year’s season opener.
Meet the Indians: Much like the rest of a Mid-Penn Keystone Division that has been rocked by graduation losses, Waynesboro is a squad that will look much different when it takes the field on Friday … The biggest changes for the Tribe come at head coach and quarterback … Scott McClure, Waynesboro’s defensive coordinator for the past two years, takes over the head coaching position from Mark Saunders, who was 8-22 in three seasons … One of McClure’s first duties as the program’s new leader will be to break in a new starting quarterback … Sophomore Brayden Heimbuch, standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing in at 150 pounds, is projected to be Waynesboro’s new signal-caller following the graduation of Rayshawn Frazer-Hewitt, a three-year starter at QB … Heimbuch will be joined in the backfield by Anthony Ausherman and Gavin Starkey, with Larry Taylor and Dwayne Robinson splitting out to play wide receiver … Heimbuch and Co. will operate with an offensive line that includes tackles Kyle Albaugh (6-1, 250) and Brody Wile, guards Lucas Mummert (6-4, 250) and Camdyn Strang, and center Luke Gorzelsky (6-1), as well as tight end Trenton Urey … Waynesboro will march out a multiple 3-4 defense anchored by defensive ends Cayden Lengyel and Kaiden Barlow, tackle William Quinteros, linebackers Starkey, Rian Stull, Glenn Coppage, Ronan Mencia, and Brady Myers, cornerbacks Cam Lafond and Bryghton Naveja-Irish, and safeties Malikai Castillo and Aaron Fortney … Nick Carbaugh, an All-Keystone First Team selection in 2025, is back to handle kicking and punting duties for the Tribe … Waynesboro has beaten Greencastle-Antrim two years in a row, with both wins coming by one score.
Meet the Blue Devils: There will be plenty of new faces in the lineup when coach Jason Thurston’s boys take the field on Friday … Hit hard by graduation, Greencastle’s Hybrid Wing-T offense will feature an all-new backfield that is projected to be led by 5-foot-11, 155-pound senior QB Gavin Logsdon, who compiled 132 passing yards and two TDs in limited action as a backup last fall … To counter the loss of All-Colonial Third Team running back Blake Reuter, who graduated after piling up more than 1,000 yards and 10 TDs last season, the Blue Devils will split carries between Dom Angelini (5-10, 140), Landon Kagarise (6-1, 170), Spencer Long (5-11, 167), Luke Hull, and Dane Medina … Another All-Star from last season, 6-foot-4, 190-pound tight end Wyatt Hull, is coming off an 18-catch campaign that saw him rack up 336 yards and four TDs … Hull will be counted on to lead an experienced receiving corps that also includes Sam Petruska (5-10, 156), Iverson Stoner (6-3, 165), Ryan Schick, Zach Russell (6-2, 190), and Jeremiah Murray … The offensive line, which graduated three starters, will be looking to get a push with a mix of returners and newcomers who include Elijah Ambrose (6-0, 200), Gavin Knable (5-8, 210), Cole Burkholder (6-1, 210), and Tyler Myers … The Blue Devils run a 4-2-5 defense and should be strong in the middle, where it returns defensive tackles Ambrose (63 tackles) and Loki Huffman (33 tackles, 6 TFLs), as well as senior inside linebacker Ethan South, who rolled up 39 tackles last season, including three tackles for loss, to go along with one caused fumble and one pass defense … Look for outside linebacker Hull to be a playmaker. Last year he posted 37 tackles, including six tackles for loss and three sacks, and defended four passes … Blake Witmer is back to handle kicking duties after converting 15 of 22 extra points last fall and averaging 33.9 yards on kickoffs … Greencastle will be aiming to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2023.
Sandrik’s pick: Indians by 3.
