Advertisement

Cheer for the home team or husband’s team? A preseason football dilemma

Kieonna Lane runs the IB program at St. Petersburg High. The Green Devils’ opponent Friday night? Husband Jason Lane’s Chamberlain Chiefs.
 
Chamberlain football coach Jason Lane, left, and his wife Kieonna, an assistant principal and coordinator of St. Petersburg’s International Baccalaureate program. (Courtesy of the Lanes)
Chamberlain football coach Jason Lane, left, and his wife Kieonna, an assistant principal and coordinator of St. Petersburg’s International Baccalaureate program. (Courtesy of the Lanes)
Published Aug. 14, 2019

Most Friday nights, Kieonna Lane watches Chamberlain High football games in the stands, knowing the outcome can have a direct affect on her personal life.

After all, she is married to Chiefs coach Jason Lane.

“I pretty much have to be a football fan,” Kieonna said. “That’s part of the family dynamic. You’re dealing with a lot of different emotions depending on how the games go.”

Once again, Kieonna will be there when Chamberlain travels to play St. Petersburg High in Friday’s preseason game.

Only this time, she has to watch from the opposing sideline.

MORE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS: High schools in Hillsborough will have athletic trainers

It is part of her administrative duties. Kieonna, in her second year as an assistant principal and coordinator of St. Petersburg’s International Baccalaureate program, must work during home football games.

“There’s definitely a sense of being torn,” she said. “I’ve heard all the stories and know the players at Chamberlain very well. They’re like family. But so are my students. That’s what makes it tough.”

The Lanes have gone through this in the past. Two years ago, Kieonna had a similar administrative role at Hillsborough High and was on the Terriers’ sideline when they played Chamberlain.

Jason knew his wife had to stay in enemy territory. He had just one request.

“I asked her to wear neutral colors,” Jason said.

Chamberlain coach Jason Lane scans his team during a spring practice. (LUIS SANTANA | Times)

Kieonna obliged, sporting a white polo shirt. So what will be the attire Friday night?

“I don’t think I can go wrong wearing green,” said Kieonna, referring to the primary color for Chamberlain and St. Petersburg.

The loyalty of their children will be tested, too. Their oldest daughter, Kierra, 17, spent her first two years of high school at Chamberlain and was a cheerleader for the Chiefs. Last year, she transferred to St. Petersburg.

Their youngest daughter, Jada, 11, has tagged along with her father at games for years.

“Jada takes it harder than me when we lose,” Jason said. “I’m pretty sure she’ll be rooting for me.”

Kieonna is not so sure.

“The kids might be on the fence for this one,” said Kieonna, laughing.

MORE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS: Flag on the pay: Cost of officiating high school games

Football has always been a part of the family fabric.

Jason, 39, played football at Indiana State. Kieonna, 40, was a student at Indiana University. They met nearly two decades at the Little 500, the annual cycling race held at Indiana’s Bloomington campus.

“I grew up around football,” Kieonna said. “My brother played, and I was a cheerleader in high school.”

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter

We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

After graduating from Indiana, Kieonna moved to Florida. Jason followed. They were married in 2006.

Kieonna became a die-hard fan of whatever team her husband coached. First it was Jefferson High, where Jason was an assistant coach from 2003 until he took over as the Chiefs’ coach four years ago.

Before becoming an assistant principal, Kieonna never missed one of Jason’s games. Now, she has to skip half of them. Still, she constantly keeps tabs.

“It can be hard,” Kieonna said. “I missed the Armwood game last year. I get the full rundown once we’re home.”

For Kieonna, the difference between winning and losing Friday’s game will not greatly affect her happiness or misery at home.

“I guess I win either way since I have a role with both teams,” Kieonna said. “I’m pretty sure I can say that will not be the same for my husband.”

Contact Bob Putnam at bputnam@tampabay.com. Follow @BobbyHometeam.

Preseason football

Thursday

Anclote at Berkeley Prep, 7

Citrus at Springstead, 7

Friday

Armwood at Jacksonville Lee, 6

Boca Ciega at Pinellas Park, 7

Zephyrhills Christian at Wesley Chapel, 7

Columbia (Ga.) at Tampa Catholic, 7

Land O’Lakes at Zephyrhills, 7

River Ridge at Sunlake, 7

Countryside at Lakewood, 7

Bishop Snyder at Bishop McLaughlin, 7

Bayshore Christian at Fort Myers Gateway, 7

Dunedin at Leto, 7

Admiral Farragut at St. John Neumann, 7

Tampa Bay Christian at Dixie Hollins, 7

Seminole at Gibbs, 7

Keswick Christian at Out-of-Door, 7

St. Petersburg Catholic at IMG Academy, 7

Shorecrest at Bradenton Christian, 7

Jesuit at Gaither, 7:30

Clearwater at Cypress Creek, 7:30

Wiregrass Ranch at Clearwater Central Catholic, 7:30

Chamberlain at St. Petersburg, 7:30

Pahokee at Jefferson, 7:30

Stoneman Douglas at Lennard, 7:30

Venice at Plant, 7:30

Sickles at Tampa Bay Tech, 7:30

Robinson at Steinbrenner, 7:30

Lake Wales at Largo, 7:30

Fivay at Central, 7:30

Dunnellon at Hernando, 7:30

Nature Coast at Sarasota, 7:30

Hudson at Gulf, 7:30

Mitchell at Weeki Wachee, 7:30

Pasco at Bartow, 7:30

Freedom at Alonso, 7:30

Wharton at Blake, 7:30

Bloomingdale at Winter Haven, 7:30

Brandon at Newsome, 7:30

First Academy at Cambridge Christian, 7:30

Durant at Lake Gibson, 7:30

East Bay at Palmetto, 7:30

Hillsborough at Braden River, 7:30

Victory Christian at Seffner Christian, 7:30

King at Riverview, 7:30

Spoto at Plant City, 7:30

Palm Harbor University at Strawberry Crest, 7:30

Calvary Christian at Lakeland Christian, 7:30

East Lake at Sarasota Riverview, 7:30

Lecanto at Northeast, 7:30

Northside Christian at Central Florida Christian, 7

Osceola at Lakewood Ranch, 7:30