He likes to be seen: Brownstown player shines in spotlight

August 25, 2016

While the Friday night lights shone on Blevins Memorial Stadium, Gavin Bane could be found outside the fence.

Bane and his friends in the fifth grade would play a football game of their own on the stadium’s outskirts while they dreamed of one day taking the varsity field for Brownstown Central.

Now, Bane’s one of the most dynamic players in the region on the gridiron.

He starts for the Braves at running back and slot receiver while also playing at safety on the defense.

In games, the senior thrives in the spotlight.

“I like running because you get the ball a lot,” Bane said. “You get to make moves and be one of the main parts of the game. Wide receivers get the ball thrown to them a lot, but when you run the ball you get seen a lot more — and I like to get seen.”

Last season, Bane led Brownstown Central with 1,306 rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns. He converted 10 2-point attempts and added 368 receiving yards.

Bane also was named to the Junior Class 3A All-State team as a defensive back.

This year, he will serve a new role in the Braves’ defense.

“I was at dime at the beginning of the season, but I got moved back to safety,” Bane said. “I like playing safety because I can get picks. Normally, when you play safety, you can see everything that’s going on. If you play dime you only see at the line.”

He played a major role in helping the Braves advance to regional championship and claim a sectional championship.

This season, Bane is shooting for bigger goals.

“I want to win another sectional and have a winning season,” Bane said. “I want to beat Seymour this season. Hopefully we can make it past regional and go further than that.”

In the winter, Bane will play basketball on varsity for the second consecutive year.

Last season he mostly served as a defensive guard, with major energy off the bench as the sixth man.

“I’m not a big scorer, but I will probably have to guard the best player every game,” Bane said. “I want to make sure that their best player isn’t doing much. I want to win a sectional; I haven’t been on a team yet that has won one.”

After playing golf for two years, Bane returned to the track his junior spring.

He mostly did high jump and sprints for the Braves.

“I played golf my freshman and sophomore year, and I decided I wanted to give track a try again,” Bane said. “I struggled with a really bad shin splint because of high jump, but it got better at the end of the season. I’m not sure which sport I want to do yet this spring, but it will be one of the two for sure.”

After high school, Bane plans on studying business in college and continuing his football career.

“I just love (football),” Bane said. “I don’t want it to end after high school. I want to keep playing for sure.”

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Catch the Braves” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

What: Brownstown Central (1-0) at Charlestown (1-0)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Radio: 96.3-WJAA

Where: Reis Field

Last outing: Brownstown Central def. Paoli 42-14, Charlestown def. Madison 54-13.

Most recent meeting: Brownstown Central won 44-19 on Oct. 30, 2015 (sectional).

Series past 30 years: Brownstown Central 24-14.

[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Name: Gavin Bane

School: Brownstown Central

Parents: Bill and Gina Bane

Sibling: Sammie Bane

Sports: Football, basketball, track and golf

Athletic highlights: 2014: Football and basketball JV most improved; 2015: Football team MVP, Junior Class 3A All-State team as defensive back, All-Mid-Southern Conference, Tribune All-County, All-Indiana/Kentucky team.

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