Wayne County High Schools, Middle Schools , MU, WVU

The Wayne County News, 2013 Football Preview, AUGUST 28, 2013, PAGE 27Wayne Middle - business as usualBy JASON PERRYSports WriterWAYNE – There adage says “if it ain’tbroke, don’t fix it.” This proves true inthe approach to football that the WayneMiddle School Pioneers will likely exhibitthis season.With long-time coach Ted Williamsonstepping down in the off-season, a newcoach at the the helm of the Pioneer shipwith intentions of reclaiming past WayneCounty glory.Justin Brooks was a member of Williamson’scoaching staff and is familiar withthe offense associated with Wayne footballat any level and as the new head coach, heknows what is expected of him.“I helped last year with the team,”Brooks said, “I also was an assistant withthe baseball team, but this is my first headcoaching job.”With the size of his team, it becomesapparent that things will be about maintainingthe status quo as far as power footballis concerned.“We’re going to go and do things theway Wayne has always done,” Brookssaid, “We’re going to go out and do whatwe do best.“We’re going to go out Thursday nightand play what we know. We might throw ina few new things here and there, but it willlargely stay the same.”The size of the Pioneers just might be allthe edge needed this season as the majorityof Wayne County’s teams have lost size dueto players moving onto high school.“I’m not sure what to expect from otherteams since this is my first year,” Brookssaid, “I haven’t seen as many of the playersas some of the other coaches.“But I would say that things will be differentthis season compared to last, becauseof the kids all over the county who havemoved on to high school.“I think things will be a little moreequal.”Wayne will take advantage of any opportunityit can in an effort to make it backto the county championship game. ThePioneers were absent from the title gameafter a long six-year streak when they werein it annually.“Jeremiah Milum will be our quarterbackand Loan McSweeney will likely run theball for us and I feel he is one of the fasterkids in the county,” Brooks said, “JacobCassidy will make some waves at tight endand Mikey Bartram is a big seventh graderwho will probably be in the mix a lot.”With the folding of Buffalo MiddleSchool’s team, a hole is left on the schedulethat Brooks will have to scramble to fill.With county schools being a school,the other match-ups become even moreimportant.“We’re looking forward to our countyschedule,” Brooks said, “Those will all bekey because of us just missing the countychampionship.“We’re focused on winning the countygames.”The lack of a Bison team may change theway county football will be played, bringinga level of uncertainty that wasn’t there beforefor a number of coaches.“We’re still going to prepare and approachthings as business as usual,” Brooks said,“The hardest thing is going to be comingup with a game to fill that space.“It seems for the last few years we’vehad an extra open date because of the wayWayne County football goes.The first year coach isn’t too worriedoutside of finding a last minute game.“We’re going to go out and practice thesame as we always do,” Brooks said, “We’renot going to prepare any differently.“All that has changed is that we’re goingto have to make a few more phone calls toround up a game.”