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Wayne earns milestone for coach
Wayne's Corey Damron runs the ball in for a touchdown against Chesapeake Friday, August 29, 2008, at Wayne.
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WAYNE -- Blending experience, talent and execution is a formula for any high school football team's success.
For Wayne, it equaled a victory in its Friday season opener, and a milestone for its coach.
The Pioneers ran for 412 yards as a team in rolling to a 39-21 victory over Chesapeake at Pioneer Field, giving Wayne coach Tom Harmon his 103rd career victory, passing Scott Jarrell for tops on the all-time list.
"For a first game, I thought we executed pretty well on both sides of the ball," Harmon said. "We did some different things defensively, showed some discipline against their option. I'm proud that our kids played with emotion."
The experience-laden Pioneers raced to a 27-0 halftime lead, thanks in large part to junior fullback Corey Damron. In his first varsity start, Damron ripped off 117 yards in his first five carries, including a 50-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter.
Chesapeake struggled offensively, punting four of its first five possessions.
"I think the faster, stronger team won," Chesapeake coach Phil Davis said. "We were down a couple of people coming in from last week. We're pretty young."
The Pioneers added on to the lead, with two touchdown runs from senior Jason Thompson, and a touchdown pass from Joey Ferguson to Adam Frazier in the final minute of the first half.
Thompson, who led the Pioneers in rushing a year ago, added 129 yards on 12 carries.
"We have some scatter-backs," Harmon said. "It's going to be very important for the guys up front to give us a crack, and get some push off the football."
One week after Panther quarterback Aaron Donahoe accounted for more than 300 yards of total offense in a win over Oak Hill, the senior was held to negative yardage Friday, and did not play the second half, the result of a virus.
The Panthers (1-1) had just 18 yards of offense at halftime, but did outscore Wayne 21-12 in the second half, most of which came from each team's reserves. Davis felt no shame in his team's effort.
"I can't say enough about the quality of kids we have. They didn't quit tonight, they played hard," Davis said. "They were getting pushed around a bit, but they stayed in there and played. I can't fault them at all."
Wayne will try to avenge its only loss of 2007, when it travels to James Monroe next week.
"We know for sure when James Monroe lines up on Friday's, especially at home, they don't expect to lose," Harmon said. "We expect that to be a tough outing, but we're looking forward to it."
CHESAPEAKE 0 0 7 14 -- 21
WAYNE 14 13 12 0 -- 39
W-Damron 50 run (Meddings kick)
W-J. Thompson 8 run (Meddings kick)
W-J. Thompson 1 run (Meddings kick)
W-Frazier 8 pass from Ferguson (kick failed)
W-Damron 5 run (kick failed)
C-Lindsay 57 run (Harris kick)
W-Meddings 59 run (kick failed)
C-Nichols 3 run (pass failed)
C-Pa. Hintz 3 run (Nichols run)
C W
First Downs 12 17
Rushes-yards 41-150 43-412
Passes 4-13-1 2-3-0
Passing yards 43 28
Total offense 193 440
Fumbles-lost 1-1 2-2
Penalties 0-0 5-50
Punts 4-22.3 0-0
RUSHING-Chesapeake: Donahoe 10-(-27), Wells 8-13, Pe. Hintz 7-24, Cornwell 1-0, Lindsay 2-58, Smith 3-11, Brock 3-22, Pa. Hintz 2-25, McMaster 1-8, Nichols 4-16. Wayne: J. Thompson 12-129, Damron 9-136, Ferguson 3-24, Jo. Barr 2-(-5), Meddings 1-59, Frazier 1-1, Ja. Barr 4-20, Ferrell 3-13, Mills 2-12, Gilkerson 2-6, P. Thompson 1-5, Melbar 2-6, Henderson 1-6.
PASSING-Chesapeake: Donahoe 3-9-0, 26 yards; Lindsay 1-4-1, 17 yards. Wayne: Ferguson 2-3-0, 28 yards.
RECEIVING-Chesapeake: Webb 1-16, Pe. Hintz 3-27. Wayne: Shreve 1-20, Frazier 1-8.
