RED&BLACK

The 2016 seniors leave with the most wins in school history. They were part of a state runner up and 2 regional championships teams. So hats of to them. Like @jessejames said, the Cardinal program has been developed over time to allow a next man up attitude. Wayne' JV has only lost 2 games in the last three years. The transformation of this program has been amazing. The Cardinals now have a 75 - 80 man roster. Wayne should have 20 seniors next year. A few of which are 4 year starters and the majority 3 year starters. This class was 8th grade D2 state runner up. They will also have the experience of playing in 2 semi finals. The cardinals will return 9 offensive starters and 7 defensive starters from this years semi finals game. They also have some good young players that played meaningful time in certain packages this past season. Wayne county 2017 has high expectations. They are hard at work to get bigger, stronger, and faster. This group is dedicated and will take nothing for granted as are all Shawn Thompson teams.

I knew that one was coming. I tip my hat to the 2016 JC team. Their playoff performance was dominate. They were the better team but they are not 51 points better. The wheels came off for Wayne. Not unlike JC vs. South Warren. SW was not that much better than JC. Coach Matney said they were embarrassed and redeemed themselves vs FS. I promise The Cardinals have the same attitude. So the more that game is mentioned the harder they will work. So keep it up. The purpose of my post was to rebut the implication that JC brings the same team into 2017. That simply is not the case. And to demonstrate that the Cardinals will have arguably the most veteran team in 4A with the experience of two semifinals games as starters. I have no doubt they are busting their tails today to get over that hump.

Wayne county will return a veteran team. They will return 9 starters on offense from the semifinals. They will return 7 starters on defense as well as two sophomores that played meaningful minutes in the playoffs. They fully expect to play JC in the semifinals at home. Certainly JC will be preseason #1. They will be strong talented and well coached. But they lose 18 seniors. Contrary to prior representations they lose at least three O linemen and a tight end. Plus 4A player of the year Geordan Blanton (well deserved). JC also loses a beast of a fullback. They also lose 3 D linemen and their best linebacker. Also they lose their best corner that had picks in the semi's and finals. Still the players they return are very good hard nosed football players. So I expect a hard fought battle between Wayne and JC with the winner the favorite to take the championship. That is if all goes as planned. But that's why we play the games and not pick the champ. Here's to the expectation of a great 2017 season. Wayne's countdown clock is set to the opener against Woodford.