By Mike Keeney, Contributing Writer
For the last three years, Waymon Finley has been a mainstay in the Eisenhower Eagles football program.
He has played on both sides of the ball, but is a standout linebacker who completed his senior season with 60 tackles, five tackles for losses, one forced fumble, and two sacks. Those numbers earned him the Northeast News’ Defensive Player of the Year honors. He also contributed on offense by rushing for 422 yards to lead the Eagles to a 3-4 record and a berth in the Class 6A playoffs.
The 5′-10″, 215-pound inside linebacker is a favorite of head coach Eric Jackson, who said he would miss having the dependable Finley around now that his senior season is completed.
“Waymon is a great football player,” Jackson said. “He’s quick, he tackles well and is a very powerful young man. I’m going to miss coaching him.”
He also served as one of the team’s leaders, Jackson said.
“Waymon played with a lot of heart. He was a three-year starter for us and we will miss him.”
As a junior, Finley was named the first team all-purpose player by the District 16-6A coaches (as of this writing, the league has not voted on the all-district team for the 2020 season).
“Waymon is a good kid, he’s not a big talker, but he lets his action on the field do his talking for him,” Jackson said.
Finley said he was happy with his season and hopes to get the opportunity to continue his academic and football career in college, where he will major in physical education with hopes of becoming a coach someday.
“I think I did good this year,” he said. “I like the contact and I like to compete.”