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PREP FOOTBALL: Trey Lance: 2017 Marshall Independent Offensive Player of the Year

Design by Sam Thiel Marshall's Trey Lance was named the 2017 Offensive Player of the Year.

MARSHALL – Being a quarterback isn’t only about having the ability to pass or run. It’s also about being able to show leadership in any moment, whether it’s during the pregame warmups or the final drive when your team’s back is up against the wall.

Marshall senior Trey Lance showed both factors all season long for the Tigers, and his contributions on the field has earned Lance the 2017 Marshall Independent Football Offensive Player of the Year.

Lance said he was honored to his hard work from the season pay off.

“Thank you, it’s a honor,” Lance said. “Honestly, it’s been an awesome year and it was a lot of fun.”

Marshall coach Terry Bahlmann said the accolade is a fitting end to Lance’s prep career after what he’s done for the program the last few years.

“Trey’s had a great career for us and he was our leader on offense,” Bahlmann said. “He’s taken us to state the last three years, and he’s done such a great job both on and off the field for us. He throws the ball as well as anyone around the state and he’s also been a great runner for us.”

Bahlmann added what makes Lance’s play on the field special is his athleticism and playmaking ability.

“He’s got great size, good speed and is just an athletic player. When the ball is in his hands, good things are going to happen; his decision-making is strong and you just let him play. He’s just one of those kids where you put the ball in his hands, good things are going to happen for our team,” Bahlmann said. “His ability to throw the ball deep helps open up our run game, and of course Jefferson [Lee V] is a great running back also, and it’s hard to defend both of them. Our offensive line knows that if they give him enough time, Trey’s going to make a play either in the run or the pass game.”

For the past two seasons, Lance has spent the majority of his time on the field, whether he’s directing the Marshall offense with his passing or running ability or on defense as a strong safety circling the secondary like an hawk ready to dive in on opposing quarterback’s passes. The signal caller threw for 1,386 passing yards this season while completing 52.6 percent of his attempts and added 14 touchdowns through the air. He also was a dual threat in the ground game, rushing for 10 scores. On the defensive end, Lance recorded three interceptions.

That dual threat ability on offense paid off for Lance, who recently competed for the South team at the Minnesota Football Showcase on Dec. 9 in Minneapolis.

Bahlmann said Lance has grown in every aspect since he took over the quarterback duties during his sophomore year.

“He came in part way through his sophomore year in a game and he led us on a couple of touchdown drives. We got beat at the end of that game, and I think it was a motivator and a growing experience from there,” Bahlmann said. “He didn’t like that feeling, and he’s put in a lot of time and I think the key for Trey is that he makes everyone around him better.”

Lance credited his coaches for the hard work and dedication they put in for everybody on the team, and that they wouldn’t be anywhere they are today without them.

“Just the stability that they’ve had and just the routine stuff that they’ve put in. We take it for granted a lot of the time with the stuff that they organize for us, but we know that they’re one of the top coaching staffs in the state; we don’t have any doubt about that,” Lance said. “I’m just really thankful to have them and the opportunity to play for them. The amount of knowledge that they have and the work they put in for us, it makes a big difference.”

Lance added his teammates over the years have had a big impact on him, including the older players before him who paved the way and set an example for him.

“I’ve had the opportunity to play with several great players and some who are still playing at the next level. I think it just kind of came from the top down seeing what those guys have done. They were my role models, so I was just trying to do what they did for me,” Lance said. “It’s been a blessing and tons of fun playing with them. I get a lot of the publicity being the quarterback but a lot of stuff that they do goes unnoticed; I’m thankful for that because they do it without getting any recognition a lot of the time and they deserve a lot of it.”

Even though his time as a Marshall Tiger has come to an end, it isn’t the end of football road for Lance. Next season, he will trade in his orange and black jersey for the green and gold uniform of the North Dakota State University Bison. NDSU has been extremely successful over the last several seasons, winning the Division I FCS National Championship five consecutive years from 2011-2015 and have produced stellar NFL talent, including current Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz.

Lance said NDSU was the right fit for him and his family and has had his heart set on the Bison since last spring.

“It was just the best fit for me and my family in the end. I was ready for the process to be over in May, and that’s just went I felt I knew I wanted to make my decision,” Lance said. “I’ve still had other schools contact me but I know where I want to go.”

While Lance won’t see playing time right away, he’s looking forward to the atmosphere of the collegiate level.

“I’ll be redshirting next year, but they told me I’ll be traveling, so I’ll be one of the few freshmen that get to travel next year,” Lance said. “The quarterback there is a senior, so I’ll have the opportunity to compete for that spot after my redshirt freshman year, so I’m excited for that.”

But before he drives up the 200 miles up to Fargo, Lance still has to finish up the rest of his senior season with the Tigers, and is currently playing for the boys basketball team. Lance said he’ll miss everything about Marshall, from his coaches, teammates and friends to the behind-the-scenes things such as talking to the fans after every game.

“I’ll miss everything. The coaches, the guys, my friends, guys that I’ve grown up with for the last 10 years. I won’t be able to match that next year so I’ll definitely miss the guys probably more than anything,” Lance said. “I’ll also miss the Marshall community, the little kids running up to you after the game; things like that we take for granted a lot of the time but it’s really one of the coolest things.”

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