Two-way player powers Oxbridge spring victory
Antavious Lane runs for 2 TDs and picks off pass in 41-0 win.
had Oxbridge its share Academy of stars on has the football field the last few years, such as former running back Travis Homer, who is Miami’s starting running back, and defensive back Keidron Smith, who is bound for Ole Miss.
Antavious Lane is a little bit of both of them.
The star two-way player got to enjoy some of the spotlight in the ThunderWolves’ 41-0 spring-game victory
over Royal Palm Beach on Thursday night in West Palm Beach. Lane scored a pair of touchdowns on the ground
and picked off a pass in the blowout victory.
“I did good, but I know I can do better,” Lane said. “Shout out to my O-line for blocking on the offensive
side of the ball, and shout out to the defensive line- men for making my job easy and making the quarterback throw hard throws (so I) could come up with that pick — and to Daniel Hutchinson for tipping the ball up.
“I’ve got to thank my team- mates because without them I wouldn’t be able to play how I played tonight.”
Lane, who has been either a first-team or second-team All-Area pick the last two seasons, has been able to fly under the radar in the secondary while stars such as Keidron and C.J. Smith garnered a lot of the attention. But he quietly com- piled great numbers, racking up 106 tackles and three interceptions.
“That’s just what that guy does,” said. coach Brendan Kent
Going into his final season in high school, Lane said he wants to step up as a leader for the ThunderWolves, who fell just short of a state championship last year.
“Vocal leader and on-the- field leader and off-the-field leader,” he said. “So, I’ve got to step up in all three phases. There’s always something you can work on. I’m not really talkative, but I’ve got to start talking more. “Guys look up to me because of what I do on the field, so I’ve got to be a vocal leader.” Lane, who is No. 8 on the Post’s Big Board, is primar- ily a defensive back, but he also will get some snaps at running back. The rising senior will split time with running back James Meeks, who is No. 21 on the Big Board. Meeks had one touchdown Thurs- day, but it came when the running back tossed a touchdown to receiver Jordan Cash as time expired. “James Meeks, that’s like my blood brother. We look at each other like brothers,” Lane said. “I got him, he’s got me. We’ve got each other’s back, so that’s how we’re going to play.” Lane’s recruitment has started heating up lately. He has a mix of offers from Power 5 schools and mid-majors, holding scholarships from Appalachian State, Kentucky, Louisville, Toledo and more. He said he plans to take several visits over the summer, including trips to Alabama-Birmingham, Appalachian State, Georgia State and Kentucky. The Thunder Wolves’ sideline was full of college coaches for their game Thursday night, but that doesn’t begin to intimidate Lane. “I just know I’ve got a great coach, Brendan Kent; he got them out here,” Lane said. “So I just know I have to play my part, and if I play my part, everything will fall in line.”