Opp sophomore Orlando Lacey named Player of Week

Orlando Lacey wasn’t about to lie around and do nothing for two days during Opp’s open week.

The sophomore quarterback instead ran stairs with a few of his buddies to stay fit and focused as the Bobcats got ready to face Geneva last week.

Lacey’s hard work paid off in the 30-13 win over the Panthers as he compiled a 10-of-16, 154-yard performance in the air and rushed 83 yards on 18 carries and scored two touchdowns to earn The Star-News’ Player of the Week honors.

OHS head football coach Brent Hill said his quarterback had a pretty good night.

“The funny thing is that two of the incompletions were because we killed the clock,” Hill said.

Lacey said his mind set going into the game was that the team as a whole had to play hard because it was a region game.

“It was going to be tough because Geneva is a pretty good team,” Lacey said.

GHS was 3-1 when it entered the contest. Opp is now 3-1 overall, and 2-0 in Class 3A, Region 1.

Lacey’s first touchdown came with just more than 5 minutes left in the third quarter. On the scoring drive, he completed 4-of-4 in passing for 38 yards before rushing in from 11 yards out.

GHS then cut the lead to 22-13 with 5 minutes left in the game, but Lacey capped off another drive with his second TD of the night from the Panther 7-yard line.

By the time Lacey had scored his two TDs, the Bobcats led 14-7 after junior Ty White punched the ball in in the first half.

Opp has a big game this week as it visits rival Andalusia for the 71st meeting between the two programs.

The Bulldogs hold a 38-32-3 advantage over the Bobcats in the series.

Lacey said he knows it’s going to be a “tough test,” adding that Hill and the rest of the coaching staff have been urging the players to stay on task and not let the emotions of the game get to them.

“They’ve been telling us to stay focused and have the right mind set,” Lacey said.

Lacey is the son of Terryca Lacey of Opp.