By Cole Swafford | CSwaff Media
Photography by Oliver Shrider | Contributing Photographer
SPRINGBORO, Ohio — Wayne opened Greater Western Ohio Conference play with its first victory of the season Friday night, defeating Springboro 42-26 at Watkins Stadium.
The Warriors entered the conference opener at 0-3 following a difficult nonconference schedule, while Springboro came in at 2-1 after victories over Mason and Withrow.
Friday’s matchup produced the highest-scoring performance of the season for Wayne, which put 42 points on the board after averaging 17.7 points per game through its first three contests.
The Warriors entered the game with 900 yards of total offense through three weeks, including 669 through the air.
Quarterback Kye Graham had been at the center of that production, completing 45 of 83 passes for 669 yards and five touchdowns while adding 172 yards on the ground.
Wayne’s receiving corps had also shown big-play ability during the opening portion of the season.
James Dyer IV entered Friday as Wayne’s leading receiver with 16 catches for 228 yards and two touchdowns. Jamier Brown had added 157 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions, averaging more than 26 yards per catch, while Jah’vey Johnson had 10 receptions for 111 yards.
Wayne’s offense was able to translate that early-season production into points against Springboro, reaching the end zone six times and establishing a season high with 42 points.
Springboro faced a different challenge entering the matchup.
The Panthers were without senior quarterback Max Miller, a Central Michigan commit who suffered a broken wrist in Springboro’s 23-13 victory over Withrow the previous week.
Miller had been the centerpiece of the Panthers’ offense and entered his senior season after throwing for 2,347 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025. His absence forced Springboro to make an adjustment at quarterback as GWOC play began.
Despite playing without its three-year starting quarterback, Springboro generated 26 points against Wayne.
The Panthers entered Friday averaging 326.3 yards of offense through their first three games, with 521 passing yards and 458 rushing yards. Springboro had also scored 63 points over that stretch.
Wayne, however, was able to stay ahead offensively.
The 42-point night continued an upward offensive trend for the Warriors after they scored 21 against St. Edward in Week 3.
Graham threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns in that matchup, while Brown accounted for 157 receiving yards and both touchdown receptions. Brown also returned a kickoff 96 yards for a score.
Wayne’s early schedule had provided little margin for error. The Warriors opened the season with a 35-25 loss at Fairfield before falling 35-7 against St. Xavier and 48-21 against St. Edward.
Friday’s trip to Springboro marked Wayne’s first GWOC matchup and provided a different result.
Springboro, meanwhile, entered conference play after winning two of its first three games.
The Panthers opened the season with a 33-0 victory over Mason before suffering a 24-7 road loss to Gahanna Lincoln. Springboro responded by defeating Withrow 23-13 in Week 3, although the victory came with the loss of Miller to injury.
Friday’s 42-26 result leaves both teams at different points entering the second week of the conference schedule.
Wayne improves to 1-3 overall and 1-0 in GWOC play, while Springboro falls to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the conference.
The Warriors return home next Friday to face Fairmont, which opened conference play with a 22-7 victory over Centerville.
Springboro will remain at Watkins Stadium and host Northmont, which enters the matchup at 1-3 following a 37-10 loss to Beavercreek.
