Football Preview: Sarasota Sailors

Shawn Bane Jr. is confident in his ability.

So much so that the Sarasota High senior wide receiver is hard pressed to find another player in the area who plays the position with the same level of consistency.

“I feel like I’m the most confident,” Bane Jr. says. “I work harder than anyone else.”

But, as the son of one of the greatest running backs this area has ever produced, Bane Jr. has learned to stay true to himself and not let his confidence get the best of him.

“My dad always tells me, ‘When you’re on the field, always believe that you’re the best,’” Bane Jr. says. “I can be overly confident sometimes, but my coaches remind me to stay humble.”

Bane Jr.’s talent was apparent from the moment he set foot on the Ringling Redskins football field as an energetic 5-year-old.

“I was faster than everyone,” Bane Jr. says. “They couldn’t pull my flag.”

Following in the footsteps of his father, Bane Jr. started out playing running back before transitioning to wide receiver during his freshman season at Sarasota.

Bane Jr. quickly adapted to his new position, and he hasn’t looked back since.

“I love lining up against a defender who I know I can beat,” Bane Jr. says. “It’s a piece of cake.”
Bane Jr. saw his first varsity action last year; he scored a touchdown in the Sailors’ homecoming game against Southeast to send the game into overtime.

Now, with his senior season upon him, Bane Jr. seeks to put up big numbers for the Sailors this fall, including 12 touchdowns, at least 1,000 receiving yards and 60 receptions.

Following this season, Bane Jr. hopes to land a scholarship and further his athletic career.

“I want to play college football and eventually play in the NFL,” Bane Jr. says. “I just have to keep working hard and talk to the right people.”
— Jen Blanco, Sports Editor

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BY THE NUMBERS
Sarasota High School
1000 S. School Ave., Sarasota Mascot: Sailors / 2012 Record: 4-6
20 — The number of seniors on this year’s roster.

7 — The number of years it’s been since the Sailors finished with a record above .500.

2 — The number of games Sarasota won or lost by a touchdown or less last season.

4 — The number of district games the Sailors will play this season.

Coach's Corner
Ed Volz: Fourth year

On new quarterback Caulin McNeal: He has a large learning curve. He throws a really good ball and is very accurate. He puts us in a good position to win.

On the importance of continuity: We’re significantly better now then we were last year. This year’s senior class was freshmen when I got here. They’ve been with this staff for (four years now), so they know how we do things and the schemes that we run. Everyone we’ll probably have start has some varsity experience, which is a huge difference from last year when only one guy on defense had varsity experience.

On the importance of winning locally: The interesting thing about this area is that your program is judged based on how you do against teams in the area. Even though we’re in a new district, we’re still going to play all of the same teams in the area. It’s your local reputation around here that matters.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
8 — Shawn Bane Jr.
Senior, wide receiver

4 — Dominique Austin
Senior, safety

94 — Wicky Sanon
Senior, defensive end

7 — Rod Tullis
Senior, linebacker

1 — Justin Austin
Junior, running back

15 — Jarcari Dunbar
Junior, safety