After a promising 4-1 start to the 2024 season, the Wayne Pioneers football team, coached by Tom Harmon, saw their playoff hopes curtailed by a series of key injuries, finishing the year with a 6-5 record. Entering the new season, there's a renewed sense of optimism as many of those injured players, including senior running back Kaiden Hayton and senior wide receiver Jayden Waymon, are healthy and returning to the lineup. According to Harmon, Hayton is a "difference maker" on offense, and his presence is expected to open up opportunities for other players. Sophomore Eli Haffer is set to take over as the starting quarterback. Although Harmon acknowledges there will be "growing pains," both he and senior wide receiver Jake Davis have confidence in Haffer's work ethic and improvement. The offensive line, despite some graduation losses, boasts several returning seniors with experience. On the defensive side, the Pioneers return three of their top five tacklers from last season: Armando Batista, Ashton Walker, and Jake Davis. The team faces a challenging new schedule with four new opponents, including three teams that had successful playoff runs last year, but Harmon says the team's focus remains on improving one game at a time.