Westmoreland County boys soccer notebook: Franklin Regional’s Bayne puts best foot forward in 2 sports

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, September 27, 2023 | 11:01 AM

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Joey Bayne has tried just about every sport.

Each one has brought about some measure of success.

“Soccer was the first sport I played when I was like 4,” the junior from Franklin Regional said. “I played baseball until I was 10. I also did wrestling, swimming, basketball and golf. The worst had to be swimming. It was just a different environment. All these people watching. It’s hot in there. I remember my goggles falling off with everyone watching. I was scared after that.”

When he came up for air, though, Bayne realized he was better at soccer than anything else. Well, until football came along.

“My good friend, Drew Devola, was playing,” Bayne said. “Right before my freshman year, he told me he wanted me to play.”

Naturally, Bayne was good at kicking. The 5-foot-8 spitfire instantly brought a strong leg to the Panthers’ special teams unit.

“I was hitting from 40 (yards) consistently,” Bayne said. “I surprised myself. It hit me in the blink of an eye. I fell in love with (kicking).”

But it wasn’t just the kicking part that fascinated him. Bayne also was interested in the play-by-play, from the 3rd-and-long play call to the blitz package coming on defense.

“I watch a lot of film,” he said. “And I always turn my net (on the sidelines) when I warm up so I can see the play happening.”

Bayne likes to express himself and gives articulate answers to interview questions.

“Reporters probably like talking to me because I give them a lot to work with,” Bayne said.

The cerebral two-sport athlete’s motor is the same way.

“It’s his tenacity and athleticism,” Panthers soccer coach Lukas Petersen said. “He is just a very good kid and he wants to work. He also wants to learn and get better. He is always asking questions.”

Two teams tug at Bayne, but they make it all work.

“(Football coach Lance Getsy) and I have done our best to share Joey (in practice),” Petersen said. “The problem might be if we both make the playoffs.”

But that would be a good problem for the Panthers teams.

Through nine soccer games, Bayne had six goals, while in football he was 13 for 13 on extra points and 1 for 1 on field goals in four games. He had 11 career field goals.

Perhaps the most impressive part of his repertoire is his ability to send kickoffs into — or out of — the end zone. In a win over Connellsville this season, he was 7 for 7 on touchbacks. He had sent 17 of his first 20 kickoffs lead to touchbacks.

His role in soccer can differ each game, but Petersen always tries to take advantage of Bayne’s end-to-end speed.

Bayne has played center midfield, central defending midfield and wide on the wing.

“If I am dribbling at you full speed, I am tough to stop,” he said.

Leaders of the pack

The top two goal scorers in the WPIAL hail from Westmoreland County.

At the start of the week, Jeannette’s Jordan Taylor led the league with 35 goals, followed by Belle Vernon’s Trevor Kovatch with 26.

Jeannette’s Austin Emery was third in county scoring with 18 goals, while Daniel Maddock of Norwin was fourth (13), and Brennan Borbonus of Derry fifth (11).

Top games

Local games to watch Thursday include Canon-McMillan at Norwin in Section 2-4A, Franklin Regional at Penn-Trafford and Penn Hills at Latrobe in Section 4-3A, and Knoch at Jeannette and Derry at Greensburg Salem in Section 2-2A.

First-place Norwin edged past Canon-McMillan in the teams’ first meeting, 1-0.

Latrobe will try to stretch its win streak to five against the Indians, while Jeannette and Knoch are dueling for third place.

Knoch beat the Jayhawks the first time through section play, 4-2.

Scalise commits

Norwin senior goalkeeper Anthony Scalise announced he will further his playing career at Penn State Behrend.

At the midseason point, Scalise was 6-1 with four shutouts and had allowed just three goals.

Rivalry doubleheader

Norwin and Penn-Trafford will renew their rivalry Saturday as part of a girls-boys doubleheader at Warrior Stadium in Harrison City.

The girls game kicks off at 1:30 p.m., with the boys to follow at 3:30.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Belle Vernon, Derry Area, Franklin Regional, Jeannette, Latrobe, Norwin, Penn-Trafford