Franklin Regional’s Bayne takes hair-raising talent to boys soccer, football playoffs

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Sunday, October 27, 2024 | 5:53 PM

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Joey Bayne changed his hairstyle recently, going from wavy brown locks to a blond buzz-cut with dark tiger stripes.

Bayne can change his look quickly during the fall season, too.

One day, he’s a speedy forward creating goals for the soccer team. The next, he’s launching touchbacks into the end zone and kicking field goals in football.

He will be part of two playoff runs: with the soccer team two rounds into the postseason and the football team opening the playoffs later this week.

“I’m really proud of him because he has been battling an injury all season, but he’s now getting back to being healthy,” Franklin Regional soccer coach Nick White said. “He’s worked very hard all season. He’s a very technically dynamic player who is very strong on the ball. He has great distribution skills and a wicked shot.

“His drive and determination to be the best he can helps elevate his game.”

Bayne has eight goals and eight assists for the soccer team. The No. 7 seeded Panthers (12-3-2) will face No. 6 Mars (14-1-4) in the WPIAL 4A semifinals at 6 p.m. Monday at Dormont Stadium.

Bayne and his teammates pulled a 2-1 stunner against No. 2 Thomas Jefferson in the quarterfinals, with Bayne delivering an assist.

Fabrizzio Costa and Jovan Sankoorikal scored goals, with Sankoorikal adding an assist.

“With our seed in the playoffs and how highly ranked our opponent was, our boys were extremely motivated to prove how strong of a group they are,” White said. “I’m very proud of their effort.”

Bayne has been part of a triplex of goal-scoring talent.

Danny Christafano leads the team with 23 goals and 11 assists, and Sankoorikal has 11 goals and 11 assists.

In what has been the year of the kicker in the WPIAL, Bayne has gotten into the act.

Bayne has made six field goals and has a touchback percentage of 70.2%. He has made a 37-yard field goal, and his 22-yarder beat Latrobe in a 3-0 victory.

Bayne has made 6 of 10 field goals and 32 of 33 extra points.

Of his 47 kickoffs, 33 have gone for touchbacks. He averages 38.8 yards per punt with a long of 61.

“I think a big reason (kicking is improved) is because of a lot of the kids going to camps and working with coaches,” Bayne said. “As well as the standard rising and kickers are seeing that and trying to be better than one another. I also believe the WPIAL just has a really deep and special pool of kickers more than ever before, and I would even say this is the best year for kickers in the WPIAL of all time.”

Bayne gets personal instruction and attends kicking camps.

“I have also put in lots of time and effort to get to where I am,” he said, “and I have focused more on getting better at kicking rather than soccer.”

As for that hairdo, Bayne is having some fun.

“I wanted to do something different,” he said. “It’s more to look like a zebra or tiger, but a lot of people are saying leopard (stripes), so I’m really just leaving it up to other people’s interpretation.”

Bayne said he and a friend talked about getting design haircuts. His friend opted out, but Bayne went on to the barber shop.

“I just wanted to go through with it because I thought it would be cool to do before playoffs,” he said.

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

Tags: Franklin Regional