Michigan commitment Eric Gray sets lofty goals
When it comes to listing goals for the 2018 high school football season, Lausanne’s Eric Gray doesn’t hesitate.
“Senior year, you want to go out with a bang,” said Gray, a 5-foot-10, 190pound running back. “My goals for this year are to win Mr. Football again, definitely win a state championship again and try to go get that National Gatorade Player of the Year.”
Those are three lofty ones Gray will adhere to when the Lynx open their season Friday against visiting Tunica (Miss.) Rosa Fort. But ones he may be able to back up. Gray, a Michigan commitment, is the state’s No. 9 prospect in the state and No. 3 all-purpose back in the country according to the 247Sports Composite. He is the No. 246 overall prospect in the country.
Recapping 2017, Lausanne finished 13-0 with Gray rushing for 3,151 yards on 323 carries and 45 touchdowns.
He also had 268 receiving yards and
three TDs.
Gray’s final act – in the Division IIAA title game against Chattanooga Notre Dame – featured 281 yards to go along with five scores, as the Lynx coasted to a 41-13 victory.
“That game really goes to our offensive coordinator (Patrick Nagoski),” said Gray, who ran for touchdowns of 39, 35, 19, 12 and 44 yards in the championship. “He drew up some plays that made it look easy. Those plays were wide open holes we were running through. And that’s a testament to our line.”
But it also helps having a talented back like Gray.
“Eric is just a phenomenal player,” Lausanne coach Kevin Locastro said. “I’ll start my 30th year of coaching this year and I can say this with 100 percent accuracy: He’s the best running back I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach and be around.
“We’re going to enjoy the heck out of him while we’ve got him. He’s going to leave a legacy, and he’s helped us have a tremendous amount of success since he started his career at Lausanne.”
In 2017, the Lynx outscored their opponents, 528-177. That dominance could continue this season with Gray in the backfield.
However, that also could allow Locastro to start working on the future.
“Hopefully we’ll be put in a situation this year where we’ll be able to get (other running backs) in some games and do some things,” Locastro said. “I think Eric has kind of taken it upon himself to be that mentor to those kids, which we certainly appreciate as a coaching staff. It’s obviously going to do nothing but help those guys become better players.”