When he left the field with a broken collarbone on Sept. 19, Lane Hynum figured his season was over. The injury typically takes up to eight weeks to heal, which would have brought him back right at the end of the year.

“I was definitely devastated,” Hynum said.

A favorable diagnosis and some good rehab work helped him get back a little sooner than expected, however, and the Flashes are reaping the dividends. Hynum had several big catches in last week’s 49-8 playoff win over Broad Street, including his first varsity touchdown reception, and has resumed his role as one of the top targets in St. Al’s prolific offense.

“That was my first receiving touchdown the whole year. It felt good to get that touchdown, and it was a great pass from (quarterback) Connor (Smith). We’ve had so many great moments together,” Hynum said. “It started with that sideline pass and I really felt it with that play.”

“That sideline pass” was only for a first down, but was one of the best catches a St. Al receiver has made all season. Hynum ran a wheel route, improvised when Smith had to scramble out of trouble, and planted his feet on the sideline.

Smith’s pass sailed a bit high, but Hynum went on his tiptoes and snagged the pass out of the air to keep the drive alive. A few plays later he caught his touchdown pass to put St. Al ahead 21-0 with 19 seconds left in the first half.

“Making a contribution is one thing, but you should have seen him Friday night. He was fresh, and making catches everywhere,” St. Al coach BJ Smithhart said. “He plays defense, too. He’s just a fired up kind of guy. He’s small in stature to look at him, but he’s just a sparkplug.”

Before his injury, Hynum was off to a terrific start. He caught 18 passes for 206 yards in St. Al’s first five games. It took Brandon Teller until the regular-season finale against Greenville-St. Joe — the night Hynum returned from the injured list — to take the team lead in receptions.

Hynum caught one pass against Greenville-St. Joe, then regained the team lead against Broad Street by catching four passes for 57 yards and the one touchdown.

Smithhart said there was little doubt he would.

“Lane let us know early that he would be back,” Smithhart said. “When Lane sets his mind to something, he’s going to do it.”

Class 1A North State championship

Coffeeville at St. Aloysius

Time: Today, 7 p.m.

Radio: 101.3 FM

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