Lancaster riding backfield pair, offensive line to unbeaten start

Lancaster Bruins football players looked discouraged mid-July, coming off an unsuccessful run through the summer 7-on-7 tournament circuit.

But even as coach Bobby Collins was chafed about losing, he knew throwing the ball wasn’t his team’s strength.

“Our kids have learned that what we do in the passing game is off of our run game,” he said during Tuesday’s practice. “We’re doing a much better job throwing the football around. Each game we’ve thrown for over 100 yards, which is good in my book because we’ve been winning football games. Wide receivers are doing a great job blocking and running routes, quarterbacks aren’t throwing interceptions, and that’s all I’m asking them to do.”

Lancaster is 4-0 for the first time since 2009 and ranked No. 9 in 3A. The Bruins are averaging 233 yards rushing per game and, after two offensive turnovers in the season opener against Andrew Jackson, have no giveaways in the last three games. Avoiding turnovers and picking up first downs keeps the Bruin running machine on the field and tilling up opponents.

The two biggest pistons in that rushing machine are juniors Ant Foster and Farrika Grier. Foster – whose full first name Ant’tavis is a combination of his father and brother’s names – is built like a tank at 5-foot-9, 207 pounds. Grier is even bigger at 5-foot-11 and weighs 225 pounds. Their physicality didn’t really translate to the flag football played in June and July.

“I’m not really that good at 7-on-7, but I’ll do my best. But when we have shoulder pads on it’s way different,” said Foster, grinning. “I just can’t go down.”

Foster is an excellent inside runner that possesses some of the best vision for running lanes that Collins has coached. Grier is more of an outside runner, equipped with a stiff-arm that jabs would-be tacklers and leaves them blinded by the inside of their helmets. Collins said he looks to whoever is not tired when determining which back to feed the ball.

“Good thing about those guys, there is no selfishness,” said Collins, whose club is averaging nearly seven yards per carry.

Grier and Foster have played against each other since they were in fourth grade, through middle school, before finally ending up on the same sideline at Lancaster.

“It’s just a good combination. Me and him are brothers; we’re just two beasts,” said Foster. “We’re just getting ourselves better and better to get to the next level and college, and maybe even pros.”

“When I got to high school,” said senior offensive tackle Lewis Johnson, “I was ready for them two to get here. I knew they were gonna be good players.”

Johnson is one of the anchors of an excellent offensive line that includes Caleb Funderburk, Graham Banks, Charlie Ellis and Tyresse McCree. With four seniors, the group is strong, experienced and mentally sharp. Collins commended them for pointing out adjustments that the team should make.

“This o-line might be the smartest group I’ve ever been around,” he said. “They make it really easy on us, and not just at halftime but series by series. First thing I ask them when they get to the bench is, ‘hey guys, what can we run?’ And they’ll tell me.”

“Oh my god,” said Foster, who was in a jovial mood during a short interview Tuesday. “I love my offensive line. I love Lewis. Tyresse, Caleb, Graham, Charlie. I love all of them.”

The running backs’ love for the blockers up front is reciprocated. Lancaster’s team chemistry is another one of its strengths.

“They’re just cool to be around,” Johnson said about Grier and Foster. “Popular. Off the field, we’re always together.”

Working together is getting everyone noticed. The team is off to a great start, Johnson might be a postseason all-star game candidate, and Foster and Grier are putting together some nice film that will help their college football aspirations.

“Without a doubt, I think they’re both college football players,” said Collins. “I think their levels are still to be determined. They just have to see how they finish the season, prove that they can block, do all the little things fundamental details-wise that give them a chance.”

Lancaster hosts 1A Lewisville on Friday with a good shot to move to 5-0. Then Region 3-3A play starts. The Bruins lost 14-7 to eventual state champs South Pointe last season, before squeaking into the playoffs with a miracle comeback at Broome.

Collins acknowledged that the road to a first region title since 1996, let alone a state championship, goes through south Rock Hill. That doesn’t change the Bruins’ goals, though.

“We’re 4-0 and we’re trying to go 10-0,” he said. “Our first ultimate goal is to win the region, give us a chance to be at home in the playoffs.”

Collins said the ultimate goal is to win a state championship, which teams can’t do at 7-on-7 tournaments in mid-summer heat.

This story was originally published September 23, 2015 at 12:33 PM with the headline "Lancaster riding backfield pair, offensive line to unbeaten start."