Yellow Jackets have strong county contingent
As far as I know, there is no official Greene County all-star football team. However, Waynesburg University head football coach Rick Shepas just may have assembled an unofficial all-county squad as part of his 2015 roster, which was released on Wednesday.
This infusion of local talent is something of an anomaly compared to recent Yellow Jacket teams. In fact, Shepas and his staff have not only trended away from Greene players, but seemingly, individuals from the WPIAL. However, when this year’s Jackets assemble for their media day on Wednesday, Aug. 12, four of the five county schools will be represented at John F. Wiley Stadium.
There are expected to be a total of 11 county players donning the orange, black and white this fall, including five from Waynesburg Central, four from West Greene, one from Carmichaels and one from Mapletown. Though they are not from within the county borders, nearby Clay-Battelle (W.Va.) and Beth-Center also boast alumni on Shepas’ squad.
Leading the group of local talent is 2014 honorable mention All-PAC defensive back Josh Mundell, who went from seldom used freshman to arguably the team’s top cornerback in 2014. Mundell, who starred at multiple positions — and sports — at Carmichaels, piled up 54 tackles and three interceptions as a sophomore for the Jackets.
Tight end Dan Davis, who is going into his senior year at Waynesburg University, appears to be the odds-on favorite to start for the Jackets. The former Waynesburg Central standout pulled in three catches for 30 yards during his junior campaign. He will also get to play on the same field as his younger brother John Glen Davis, who was one of the biggest reasons for WCHS returning to the playoffs in 2014. Another former Raider, Jacob Rush, is returning for his sophomore season at defensive back.
One of the most decorated local newcomers is former Waynesburg Central standout running back Hunter Cenname, who, despite some late-season injury issues, led the Raiders to the postseason. Cenname could be in the mix for carries in a retooled Jacket backfield after becoming one of the top Class AA running backs in the WPIAL.
The Red and Black contingent is expected to be completed by lineman Brad Arnold and first-year transfer Michael Heasley.
Speaking of backs who helped his high school break a long postseason absence, Adam Hein, the powerful two-way star from Mapletown, will also be looking to prove himself at the collegiate level.
Former West Greene Pioneer Trevin Bedilion is returning to the Jacket offensive line, and welcoming three of his high school teammates to Waynesburg. Freshmen Will VanNorman along with twin brothers Beau and Bray Jackson are all on Waynesburg’s preseason roster.
With so many of these former local stars being in their freshman or sophomore seasons, it’s hard to predict just what sort of impact they will have on this year’s squad, with the exception of Dan Davis and Mundell. However, so many players from within just a few miles of campus could have a different sort of positive effect on the program.
As a life-long Greene County resident and an eight-year employee of Waynesburg University, I have always wanted to see a stronger show of support from Greene football fans when it comes to the county’s only collegiate team. Hopefully, so many familiar faces from Friday night will bring some of those same supporters out on Saturday afternoons.
So many county residents just may not be aware that the Jackets have been one of the top teams in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference for the better part of a decade. Last year’s edition, for example, upset one the best teams in the country, Washington & Jefferson, to put an exclamation point on an 8-2 regular season.
If you are a local high school football fan, I encourage you to come out and support the 2015 Yellow Jackets. Who knows, maybe you will walk in wearing blue and gold, red and black or black and gold, and walk out sporting the orange and white.