By Rich Winter

605 Sports

VERMILLION — When Lower Brule quarterback Lane Gray steps onto the turf of the Dakota Dome on Saturday, it will be just another step on a big stage for the multi-sport standout. 

Only a junior, Gray has been a starter on the Sioux basketball team since his eighth-grade season. He’s played in two consecutive Class B state basketball championships and was part of the Lower Brule team that captured the 2022 Class B All-Nations football championship. 

“Learning the quarterback position hasn’t been easy for Lane even though it might look easy on game day when he throws three touchdown passes in a playoff game,” Lower Brule coach Charlie LaRoche said. 

For all the success Gray had earned over the last three seasons he’s always had Gavin Thigh and Bran LaRoche Jr., around to carry the bulk of the pressure and to execute on these big stages. 

“Early in the season it felt weird not playing with them since I’ve been playing with them since seventh-grade,” Gray said. “I felt like I had to prove to everyone that I could win without them so it feels pretty good to make it back to the Dome.”

The trip back to the DakotaDome came with a few lumps along the way.

In Lower Brule’s season opener the Sioux had to take on Tiospa Zina, the team they faced for the 2022 championship. On that day, close to the Missouri River, both teams faced oppressive weather conditions with temperatures hovering near 105 degrees. 

“Against Tiospa Zina they came out and hit Lane and really banged him up,” LaRoche said. “It hasn’t been an easy year for him. I think he came in with the most game experience but I also think he’s grown the most out of any of our players this season.” 

In a run-heavy offense Gray has managed to complete 25-of-42 passes for 632 yards and 14 touchdowns. Gray’s favorite target is 6-foot-7 senior Marley Carpenter who has 12 catches for 243 yards and six touchdowns. 

In 2022 the Sioux used the short pass to set up the long ball. LaRoche noted that Thigh is more of a vertical passing threat than his team is used to. 

“From my perspective I think we pass the ball better than last year,” Gray said. “I felt like last year we were a little more run-heavy than we are this year.” 

When the Sioux step onto the turf at the Dakota Dome Saturday, LaRoche said he is counting on Gray’s big-game experience to help the rest of the team. 

“Running our spread offense with all the reads and all the plays and all the checks isn’t easy,” LaRoche said. “Lane’s grown a lot this year and his leadership, having been there and done that has helped, and he’s definitely not afraid of big moments.”