Nacogdoches' Jaylon Lane Wins ETSN.fm + Dairy Queen Defensive Player Of The Week Honor

Jaylon Lane had to learn the safety position on the fly Friday, but he lived up to permanently high expectations in Nacogdoches' 38-35 win against Lufkin to kick off District 16-5A play.

With seven tackles, a pass breakup and two major impact plays on the way to a narrow victory, Lane is the latest ETSN.fm/Dairy Queen Defensive Player of the Week.

The senior defensive back -- East Texas' most-recruited player in terms of FBS scholarship opportunities and an Oklahoma State verbal commitment -- accomplished all of it in his first start as a safety for the Dragons. Blue chip junior safety Brandon Jones was lost for the season the game prior with a torn PCL.

Lane, who started the first three games of 2014 at cornerback, recovered a muffed Lufkin kickoff return attempt in the first quarter. It was just his second play of the game.

His recovery allowed Nacogdoches to extend its 7-0 lead to 14-0.

The Dragons needed every point. Lufkin never led in the game, but it tied the score four separate occasions.

Lane's last play was just as big.

Nacogdoches settled for a go-ahead field goal with just under three minutes to play. Lufkin went for a home run on the second play of its ensuing drive and Lane picked the under thrown pass for a 32-yard return across midfield.

The game's only technical turnover allowed the Dragons to hang on for a 1-0 district start and a 4-0 overall record.

Nacogdoches will visit Ennis this week. Ennis enters the game with 17 votes in the latest Class 5A Associated Press poll, one more vote than the Dragons.