Yellow Jackets recruiting brothers
When it comes to college football recruiting, many coaches will try to set up pipelines at various high schools, towns or even parts of the country.
For several Waynesburg University coaches, they have decided to go a different and much more personal root to keep a steady stream of talent flowing to their team.
While it’s certainly not uncommon for teams at any level to feature siblings on their respective rosters, veteran head football coach Rick Shepas and his staff have brought in more than their share of relations.
The Jackets currently sport four sets of brothers. Not only are these hard-hitting siblings on the roster, but six of the eight see significant time on the field.
One set of brothers didn’t have to go very far to find their collegiate home. Former Waynesburg Central standouts Dan Davis and John-Glen Davis sit at or near the top of the depth charts at tight end and linebacker, respectively. The Davis family’s involvement extends to the team’s support staff, where the brothers’ father, Dan Davis, Sr., serves as a volunteer equipment manager.
A short trip down Route 218 South towards Wadestown, West Virginia, will lead you to the home of two of Waynesburg’s biggest offensive linemen, Hunter and Tanner Six. After dominating the opposition while playing at Clay-Battelle High School, Hunter joined the Jackets prior to the 2014 season and was starting by the time he became a sophomore. Over those two years, his “little” brother Tanner could usually be seen after Waynesburg home games in his C-B jacket. Now the pair works tirelessly to open holes for the Jacket run game and protect sophomore Waynesburg quarterback Jake Dougherty.
Of the four sets of brothers, none look as similar or have traveled as far as twins John and Justin Babos. The pair transferred together from Division II Charleston before 2014 and are entering their senior seasons in Waynesburg as defensive linemen. Prior to this season, however, John saw plenty of snaps at fullback, while Justin served as a linebacker. The move to the defensive interior appears to agree with the brothers. John is currently tied for sixth on the team with nine total tackles, while Justin has seen more playing time than ever before in college.
Last, but not least, are the Biernacki brothers: Ian and John. The Greensburg Salem High School graduates both play on the defensive side of the ball and are the two furthest apart in age. John is a senior linebacker, while Ian is a freshman in the defensive line depth chart.
Amazingly, Waynesburg entered training camp with two more sets of brothers, including a second set of twins. All four fraternal teammates have local ties.
While former West Greene standout Beau Jackson is still working to make his way up the offensive line depth chart, his twin brother Bray decided to conclude his athletic playing career. However, he is still heavily involved in Yellow Jacket sports as a student trainer. Both Adam and Matt Hein, who helped return Mapletown to the WPIAL postseason in 2014, were set to reunite on the gridiron this fall. Adam logged several carries last year as a freshman, but both he and his younger sibling decided to turn their full focus on their academic pursuits and are no longer on the roster.
Several Waynesburg football players also have brothers who are playing other sports. Three-year starting punter Jonathan Hager’s younger brother Patrick not only runs cross country, but the two compete on the Waynesburg track & field team. Senior offensive lineman John Norman can meet up between classes with his younger brother Ben, who will compete for the Waynesburg wrestling team. Junior wide receiver Clarence Parchman III’s cousinBrandon Parchman is looking to catch on with the Jacket men’s basketball team.
Clearly, Waynesburg University football has been able to do something that many schools claim to be able to do: create a feeling of family.