By: Mark Plemmons | Independent Tribune

Published: April 28, 2012

Lance Lewis’ journey toward a future in the National Football League has taken him from coast to coast as he dreams of following the footsteps of Jimmy Hitchcock and Jay Graham.

On his wrist is a band that simply says “DREAM” in big letters.

The dream began in the sixth grade as a running back at the Cabarrus Boys & Girls Club and continued as a Concord Middle School Miner and a Concord Spider. It has taken him to California, Mississippi and Greenville, N.C.

“You dream about this,” Lewis said Thursday before the NFL Draft began. “You talk about it with your friends, but when reality sets in and you’re kind of excited and at the same time you’re nervous. You don’t know if your name is going to be called; what team you’re going to or anything.”

Lewis was outstanding at running back, but he believes the shift to wide receiver as a freshman at Concord further convinced him he could play at the highest level.

Spiders fans remember the 2004 and 2006 football titles and the 2007 basketball title, state championships won with Lewis on the field and court.

Retired Spiders coach E.Z. Smith remembers a time early in the 2006 season.

The Spiders were 0-3 and playing atMt.Pleasant.

Dee Bost would be playing his first game at quarterback since the eighth grade and the Spiders had simplified some of their offensive schemes in hopes of breaking out of the slump.

After warm-ups, Lewis walked up to Smith, “Coach, are you OK?”

“I’m nervous Lance.”

“Why are you nervous coach? We’re going to win,” Lewis said.

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