WAYNE, W.Va. — Tom Harmon is the third most-tenured football head coach in West Virginia. Now entering his 28th season, Harmon has seen the usual ebbs and flows of coaching a high school program. Last fall, Wayne started out 1-3 before closing their regular season with four consecutive wins. The Pioneers gave eventual champion Fairmont Senior all they could handle in the opening round of the playoffs before falling by four points.
“They kept the faith and we kept playing. And we ended up having a pretty good football team toward the end of the year,” Harmon said. “Here at Wayne, we expect to win playoff games. It ended up being something where we came up a little bit short. But it was a little bit of a confidence builder.”
“We are taking all of the momentum from last season,” said Wayne senior running back/defensive back Ronnie Staley. “It is the same team even though we did lose a lot of key pieces. We’re keeping that same momentum. We are going in just like it is another game, next game.”
Wayne welcomes back a returning starter at quarterback in senior Fisher Fry. Last year, Fry tossed 13 touchdown passes against 8 interceptions.
“He hit the weight room. He really did. He hit it just about every day,” said Wayne senior running back/linebacker Tristan Turner. “He got his arm stronger and he is throwing good.”
“There’s growing pains that take place with somebody that is a first-year starter. I thought as the year went on, he improved and became a real force. So coming into this year, every coach wants to have a senior quarterback that has experience,” Harmon said.
The Pioneers must replace their top two rushers from a year ago, but their leading receiver is back. Senior Ronnie Staley reeled in 25 passes for 391 yards in 2023.
“He is a senior playmaker and he kind of sticks out on film when he gets the ball,” Harmon said. “Ronnie is definitely one of those guys you will notice, whether it would be a kickoff or a punt (return), making plays. You can’t have enough of those guys.”
Senior Tristan Turner led the Pioneers with 87 tackles in 11 games last fall.
“He was the type of kid that is a quiet leader,” Harmon said. “He is going to give an honest effort every time. He is a tough kid and is really your typical Wayne football player.”
Harmon has led Wayne to three state championships and he is hopeful that the program remains on the ascent as they level up to compete in the new Class AAA.
“We are fortunate around here that there are people walking around our community with multiple rings and chances to play for state titles,” Harmon said.
“I think from a confidence standpoint, certainly it played a big role and maybe made some people stand up and take notice that there might be a few guys around here that can still play a little football.”