TROY, ohio – Star receiver Jameier Averette-Brown scored on a 12-yard run and an 82-yard punt return as Wayne built a 17-7 halftime lead and eventually staved off Troy to advance to the regional finals for a second straight season. The Warriors will now play for the program’s first regional crown since 2015 and fifth in program history.
It was a team effort for Wayne. Senior Isaiah Thompson wasn’t about to let his season come to an end. He ran for a team high 90 yards, had six tackles (four solo) and key first half interception that led to a first half ending field goal by Jayden Heinrich giving the Warriors their biggest lead of the contest at 10 points. Heinrich added a second field goal in the fourth quarter making him 7-7 on three-pointers for the year. Averette-Brown ended up with seven touches for 145 all-purpose yards and the two scores.
Troy was able to move the ball on the ground, churning out 200 yards. Quarterback Aiden Kirkpatrick had 110 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. As good as the Trojans were running, a pair of interceptions would play a key factor in the team coming up on the short end of this battle. The last was by Sean Heisle, his eight of the year, with three minutes left in the contest, to seal the victory for Wayne.
SCORING BY QUARTERS
Wayne: 7-10-0-3-20
Troy: 7-0-0-7-14
SCORING PLAYS
W: Jamier Averette-Brown 12 run (Jayden Heinrich kick)
T: Aiden Kirkpatrick 1 run (Matt Barth kick)
W: Jamier Averette-Brown 22 punt return (Heinrich kick)
W: Heinrich 21 field goal
T: Kayden Franklin 6 run (Barth kick)
W: Heinrich 35 field goal
RECORDS: Wayne (9-4); Troy (9-3)
UP NEXT: #6 Wayne vs. #1 Middletown (10-2), OHSAA Division I, Region 2 Regional Championship
Get the complete scores from all of this week’s action on the Underground Sports Shop Scoreboard at TriStateFootball.com/scores.*Stay updated on high school football updates by following @TSFootball on X.
