By Bryce McKinnis

Lane Jiles raised the bar his freshman year.

The Glenpool High School sophomore started on both sides of the ball for the Warriors’ football team. Head coach Israel Maselera called him a “great leader on the field and off.”

“As a freshman, he stepped right in and played both offensive line and inside linebacker,” Maselera said. “He made a lot of big plays in a short amount of time. Since the end of last season, I have noticed him grow in confidence, and find his voice as a leader.”

“One of the biggest things I learned would be that hard work really does pay off,” Jiles said. “I worked really hard last summer and when the season came around, I was told that I would be starting both ways and that was really awesome to hear.”

That high came to a quick halt when Jiles suffered a torn MCL at the start of wrestling season.

“I would say the most difficult thing was going to physical therapy and doing all of the work to get back to where I was. I definitely had to push myself through the pain of rehab, and that wasn’t the easiest.”

Jiles was finally cleared last spring and wasted no time — literally. Immediately after receiving his clearance paper, he threw at a track meet. It was “amazing,” in his own words.

He took the offseason slowly but is ready to go next month.

This year, Jiles’ goals are to lead the team in sacks, tackles, and interceptions. It all starts Sep. 6, Week 1 against Skiatook. It just happens to be Jiles’ favorite rival.

“They are always our first game,” Giles said. “I feel like with it being the first game of the year, both of us teams get really competitive.”

In his free time, Giles enjoys fishing, hunting and anything outdoors.

“Fishing really helps me calm down and just relax. Fishing is where I find my peace at,” Jiles said. “There are some similarities. Some days in football I feel different than others. But most of the time football and working out helps calm me down.”