WCHS/CHS Soccer Team Ends Season with Loss to Loretto in District Tourney

On Tuesday, April 29, the combined WCHS/CHS soccer team hosted the Marshall County Tigers in their last regular season game. The game started out fairly balanced, though the Tigers moved the ball well with a short passing game mixed with occasional long crosses. About 19 minutes into the game, Wayne County’s striker, Gage Pope, put a hard shot toward the Marshall County goal. Their goalie was only able to parry the shot away. Right midfielder Elijah Shelton had crashed the goal as Gage shot and put the rebound into the Tiger net. The Wayne County defense continued to hold, and the score at halftime was 1-0 Wayne County. Unfortunately, the second half began with Marshall County zipping through the Wayne County defense to score twice in the first minute. Another goal five minutes later put them up 4-1. Wayne County pressured the Tigers, who gave up the ball in the Wayne County half of the field. A quick pass upfield sprung Gage loose on a fast break. His shot snuck into the back corner of the Tiger goal, bringing the score back to 3-2 Marshall County. Marshall County answered with 2 more goals in the next 5 minutes, and 1 later one to take the victory 6-2. Goalie Brandon Gray had 12 saves for the game.

On Thursday, May 1, the team traveled to Loretto for a district tournament quarterfinal match against the Mustangs. Wayne County played mostly defense in the first half, with only occasional forays into the Loretto area. Their defense was very effective, limiting the Mustangs to very few clear shots on the Wayne County goal. Brandon was called on to make only 3 saves in the half. Unfortunately, the defense was not as effective on corner kicks; Loretto scored 2 goals from corners, one with a head shot and one with a body bump. Halftime score was 2-0 Loretto. The second half was much more balanced as Wayne County got its offense going much better. They had 2 shots hit the Mustang goal post, and a long direct free kick shot by center defender Leland Parrish was deflected upward by the jumping Mustang goalie’s fingertips just enough to hit the crossbar instead of slipping under it. Although Wayne County got close multiple times, none of their shots managed to get into the Mustang goal. Their defense was very effective, with Brandon needing to make only 3 easy saves to keep the Mustangs scoreless in the second half. Final score was 2-0 Loretto. This tournament loss ended their 2025 season.

The team will be losing four seniors, Jayden Franks, Leland Parrish, Gage Pope, and Elijah Shelton. The returning players will be significantly more experienced than they were at the beginning of the season.

The regular season All-District Team member from Wayne County is Brandon Gray. Gage Pope was selected as Wayne County’s member of the All-Tournament Team.

Special thanks go to Shannon Franks, who served as game administrator for home games and team photographer for all the games. All the pictures in the articles throughout the season are credited to him. Thanks go to the Wayne County school system and the City of Waynesboro for their support of soccer. Thanks also go to Assistant Coach Carlee Parrish, WCHS principal Ryan Franks for his advice and support, WCHS secretary Jennifer Keeton for her help, Mauresa Gray for her extensive organizing help, and all the parents who supported the team and Coach Harvey in so many ways.---Submitted by Coach Harvey Baker