By Steve Svetovich
Dunmore Bucks senior tailback Kyle Lasher rushed for 234 yards and three touchdowns in his team’s 36-6 win over Old Forge, but it’s all about the team to him.
Lasher, born deaf, never looks at himself as having any kind of handicap.
And neither does Dunmore veteran head coach Jack Henzes, the other members of the coaching staff, his teachers, or his teammates.
The speedy Dunmore senior, who also is the punter and a starting defensive end, is nothing but positive when he talks about his part in the Dunmore Bucks football program.
Son of Rose and Tony Lasher, Dunmore, Kyle has an interpreter, Nora Foley, with him during Dunmore football games and practices. He has an educational interpreter with him in school.
He rushed for the 234 yards on just nine carries in the Friday, October 28 win over Old Forge. It was Dunmore’s 10th win capping an undefeated 10-0 regular season. Lasher’s touchdown runs were from 31, 73 and two yards out. He now has 934 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns entering the playoffs.
He also excels as a starting defensive end and punter. He was a first team all-star punter last season. This is his fourth season on the Dunmore football team.
Lasher also is a member of the Dunmore track and field team. He runs the 100, 200 and relay. He also excels in the classroom where he has an A average in most subjects and is a member of the health careers club.
As expected, he was humble when asked about his 234-yard game. With his mom interpreting, he credited his teammates. “I felt good. I did my job. My teammates did the job. And we all succeeded well.”
With Dunmore about to enter the playoffs, thoughts of a state championship are there for the players. “We are looking forward to seeing how far we can go in the playoffs,” he said. “We will practice hard week by week and take one game at a time.
“Yes, we think we can achieve a state title. We can get there if we continue working hard.”
Lasher, whose favorite football teams are the Pittsburgh Steelers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish, was featured by NFL Films on a special football program played at halftime during the Super Bowl TV telecast last year. He was filmed once again two months ago by NFL Films and will be featured again sometime this month during an NFL game telecast.
“Yes, they came back for another filming,” he said. “It was a great experience doing it last season and this year again. I will be on again soon.”
And the reaction last year from his teammates and classmates after seeing him featured during the Super Bowl? “Well, my teammates were very happy for me. They said I deserved it.”
Lasher talked about the great success of the Dunmore football team in dominating opponents this season. “It’s all about the hard work we put in during the three seasons of winter, spring and summer. We work hard, make progress and get better. We all work hard as a team. It’s all about the whole team.”
Lasher, 18, said he has not made a decision about a college and is not ruling out playing football. It is something he would like to continue doing on the collegiate level. He is unsure about a college major.
His mom said he has never looked at himself as being handicapped despite being born deaf. “It never stopped him from doing anything,” she said. “He doesn’t look at it at all as a handicap and neither do his coaches. Coach Henzes views it as not a problem at all. He has been great with Kyle. He is treated just like anyone else.”
And what a high school football and academic career this young man has put together. His coaches, parents and teachers have a lot to be proud of. And so does Kyle Lasher.
