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Middletown running back Antonio Banks takes a hand off from Caleb Watkins during football practice Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008 at the Middletown High School practice field.

Staff photo by Nick Graham Middletown running back Antonio Banks takes a hand off from Caleb Watkins during football practice Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008 at the Middletown High School practice field.

Banks wouldn’t mind big stats out of backfield, but says he would rather help get team to playoffs.

By Skip Weaver, Staff Writer Updated 8:26 AM Thursday, August 20, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — Antonio Banks is in search of a couple of things this season.

The Middletown High School senior running back would like to rush for more than 1,000 yards for the first time in his high school career, but even higher on his list of goals is making the playoffs, something the Middies haven’t done since 1990.

“Hard work and dedication is what it is going to take,” Banks said. “No individual is going to do it. We have to be a team.

“You have to play 15 weeks to reach the state championship, so we do 15 reps of everything in practice every day,” he continued. “This being my last year, it means a lot more to me, and that’s how we are approaching it. We have to take advantage of every opportunity. These seniors have been together for a while now, and we’re more ready than ever.”

Banks, 5-foot-10, 210 pounds, runs a 4.49-second, 40-yard dash, he said. That’s his fastest time ever.

“I did a lot of weight training in the offseason,” Banks said. “I’ve slimmed down and gained some muscle tone. I feel pretty good.”

When Banks was a freshman, he rushed for 333 yards and four touchdowns in limited work.

He increased those numbers to 548 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore, but really exploded last season, coming up just shy of that 1,000-yard mark with 944 yards. Banks also scored 12 touchdowns.

“Antonio is so physical and strong,” Middletown coach Jason Krause said. “He needs more carries. We have a lot of weapons on offense and only one ball to go around, but when push comes to shove, we have to get him the ball.

“He understands what the team needs,” Krause continued. “He’s going to do everything he’s asked to do with every bit of energy he has. I think he is going to be a real force this year.”

Indiana University must believe the same thing. Banks gave a verbal commitment to the Hoosiers last month.

“Getting my college choice done was a big weight off my shoulders,” said Banks, who had several other Big Ten schools interested in him. “During our minicamp, it was weighing on my mind a lot.

“I had a lot to think about and couldn’t concentrate,” he continued. “After I committed, I just felt happy and refreshed. It helped me focus more on my senior year.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852 or sweaver@coxohio.com.