Braves standout had attention from list of schools

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With all of the accolades and accomplishments in his senior year, Brownstown Central’s Gavin Bane drew the attention from a list of college football programs by the season’s end.

Ranging from NAIA to NCAA Division II schools, Bane had choices.

This past weekend, Bane narrowed down his options to one.

After graduation from BCHS in the spring, Bane will study business administration and play for the University of Indianapolis.

Bane said he first visited UIndy as a meet-up with two of his friends, who graduated from Brownstown in 2016.

“I went up and visited Grant Reedy and Zach McCory, and went to a couple of games this year,” Bane said. “I went on a couple gameday visits where they took us around. I thought it was a pretty interesting school, so I decided to go for an official visit.

“I went through a workout session after the official visit. I talked to all the coaches and they seemed really nice, and emphasized that getting an education comes first.”

Bane said that following this past season, with the Braves advancing all the way to the semistate, he couldn’t pass on four more years of football.

While football’s important to Bane, academics came first in the decision-making process.

“They have a lot of new buildings and educational places,” Bane said. “We went through everything. Everything looks brand new and close.”

Braves coach Reed May sees Bane playing as a receiver for the Greyhounds.

“All these teams are spread offenses that throw all the time,” May said. “I think if you put him as an inside receiver — run jet sweeps with him and throw him the ball when he’s isolated — he’s going to make things happen, like a (Julian) Edelman or (Wes) Welker.

“I think he just needs a chance. He’s a kid who wants to play college football, and he reminds me a lot of myself. I’m just glad he gets a chance go up there.”

The Brownstown senior, who broke eight school records this past fall, looks to fill any role needed on the Greyhounds’ team.

“I played safety, wide receiver and running back here (in Brownstown),” Bane said. “They said it was kind of up to me. I told them that I was thinking slot receiver or kickoff return.”

Bane waited for his chance to play for the Braves, not getting a starting varsity gig until his junior year.

While he’s hoping to see the field his freshman season, he knows it will take work on the field and in the weight room.

“Hopefully he will go up there with the understanding that he’s a freshman all over again,” May said. “I’ve had no freshman that have played for me here. Usually, it’s the junior and senior years where a player is most productive.

Now, will he play in his freshman and sophomore years? I don’t know. You’re back at that first phase, and hopefully he will keep that in perspective if he doesn’t get to play right away.”

A tireless worker, Bane plans to turn heads.

“There’s no doubt that I’m going to word hard to earn a spot and play,” Bane said. “My expectations are to increase my playing time, and by my senior year to be playing full-time. They’ve had a winning season every year. I want to be a part of everything, and told them I want to help them win a (Division II) national championship.”

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