The Wayne Pioneers jumped ahead early and never looked back as they picked up a 28-6 win over the visiting Lincoln County Panthers on Friday in Wayne.
Alex Carter started the scoring for Wayne (3-3) in the first quarter when he picked off a pass and 22 yards into the end zone for a touchdown. The conversion pass failed, but the Pioneers led 6-0. Wayne added another score later in the frame on a Joshua Dingess 25-yard run touchdown run. Dingess then connected with Waylon Forrest on the conversion pass to increase the advantage to 14-0.
Lincoln County (0-6) finally got on the board when Isaiah Koontz intercepted a pass and returned it for 71 yards and a touchdown. A failed conversion pass left the Pioneers with a 14-6 lead.
Wayne increased its lead in the half on a 4-yard pass from Dingess to Nathan Hammer. Dingess then connected with Kade Estep for a 22-6 lead at the half.
The Pioneers added one more score in the fourth quarter as Jaxson Damron scampered into the end zone on a 35-yard run to in reach the final margin of 28-6.
Dingess was 5-of-8 passing for 84 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. He also carried the ball 5 times for 15 yards and 1 touchdown.
Damron carried the ball 17 times for 133 yards and 1 touchdown. Colton Mathis finished with 47 yards on 2 carries. Braylon Gilliam had 8 rushing attempts for 21 yards. Rylen Murdock added 15 yards on 8 attempts.
Murdock led all Wayne receivers with 56 yards on 1 reception. Cooper Adkins had 1 catch for 13 yards. Gilliam finished with 1 catch for 10 yards. Hammer had 1 reception for 4 yards and 1 touchdown. Damron had 1 catch for 1 yard.
Wayne next travels to Herbert Hoover next Friday for a battle with the Huskies (3-2). The opening kick is set for 7 pm.
Photo Courtesy of Steve Stapleton
