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Pinkerton's Lane accepts full scholarship to UNH

Tuesday, December, 11 By Ryan Lambert
Staff writer

Josh Lane was faced with a difficult decision.

The Pinkerton senior could have chosen from a number of schools that were offering him a scholarship. After all, there aren't that many high school linemen that physical and that dominant. In the end, though, Lane passed on offers from a number of schools, most notably Maine and Northeastern, and elected to attend the University of New Hampshire on a full scholarship.

"I committed on Saturday, and I'm excited to go up to UNH and play football," said the 6-2, 275-pounder, who helped Pinkerton wrap up its third straight Division 1 title last month. "It's a good program and it's local. I can stay in new Hampshire and play football. (Staying close to home) was definitely a factor. All the coaches are good guys, and they were always active in recruiting me. It's where I wanted to go."

According to Pinkerton coach Brian O'Reilly, who has seen Lane grow as a football player, the Astros co-captain will mesh well with Sean McDonnell's program in Durham.

"I think it's a perfect fit," said O'Reilly. "I think from Josh's standpoint he gets to go to one of the top I-AA programs in the country. That's been proven over the last several years. And UNH is getting an outstanding lineman who's going to make an impact for them down the road. It's really a perfect fit for both sides."

There was, added O'Reilly, a reason so many teams were lined up for Lane's services.

"It speaks to how much of a force he is out there," he said. "On offense, he's always moving the defenders up the field. On defense, he's always making tackles behind the line and getting to the quarterback. You don't see too many linemen play with his physical presence."

Josh, who is in some pretty select company as a three-time All-Division 1 selection, is not the first member of the Lane family to earn a football scholarship. His brother Jason, a freshman offensive lineman, is already playing at Northeastern on scholarship as well.

"I'm glad I don't have to worry about (getting one) any more," he said. "There was the pressure to get the scholarship since my brother got one. It's definitely a huge relief for me now."