Saraland’s K.J. Lacey named 2024 Mr. Football
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For the third straight year, the state’s most prestigious individual award for high school football is headed to Saraland.
After Ryan Williams became the first ever player to win the award twice, Saraland quarterback K.J. Lacey kept the streak alive when he was named Mr. Football during Tuesday’s Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) awards banquet in Montgomery.
Lacey, a Texas signee, led the Spartans to the 6A state championship game and more recently was named the Offensive MVP of the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game.
Keep reading to learn more about Lacey’s historic season + see ASWA’s full list of Backs and Linemen of the Year.
K.J. Lacey
Lacey started 42 games across three years with Saraland, leading the Spartans to the state championship game in all three seasons and winning one blue map.
While Lacey certainly benefited from having Ryan Williams in his offense, it’s also clear Williams’ success was bolstered by Lacey. As a senior, after Williams’ departure, Lacey still threw for over 3,000 yards and accounted for 42 touchdowns.
Over his career, Lacey racked up:
- 9,883 passing yards
- 123 passing touchdowns
- 11 rushing touchdowns
- 39 wins
- 3 region titles
- 1 state championship
He finished second in career passing yards in AHSAA history, just over 1,000 yards behind Piedmont’s Jack Hayes.
Lacey becomes the first quarterback to win the award since 2019. See the full list of past winners.
2024 ASWA Awards
The Alabama Sports Writers Association announced a Back of the Year and a Lineman of the Year for each classification + the Super All-State which is the top 12 finishers in Mr. Football.
ICYMI: Elba’s Alvin Henderson named finalist for Gatorade National Player of the Year
Here’s a look a look at the final voting:
- Super All-State (alphabetical order)
- Jourdin Crawford, Parker
- EJ Crowell, Jackson
- Tae Diamond, Cherokee County
- Landon Duckworth, Jackson
- Anquon Fegans, Thompson
- Alvin Henderson, Elba
- KJ Lacey, Saraland
- Preston Lancaster, Tuscaloosa Academy
- Na’eem Offord, Parker
- Cam Phinizee, Russellville
- Gunner Rivers, St. Michael
- Trent Seaborn, Thompson
- BACKS OF THE YEAR
- 7A: Anquon Fegans, Thompson
- 6A: KJ Lacey, Saraland
- 5A: Cam Phinizee, Russellville
- 4A: Landon Duckworth, Jackson
- 3A: Kadyn Mitchell, Houston Academy
- 2A: Preston Lancaster, Tuscaloosa Academy
- 1A: Alvin Henderson, Elba
- AISA: Luke Tarver, Chambers Academy
- LINEMEN OF THE YEAR
- 7A: Jared Smith, Thompson
- 6A: Jourdin Crawford, Parker
- 5A: Jabarrius Garror, Vigor
- 4A: Tae Diamond, Cherokee County
- 3A: Tucker Wilks, Fyffe
- 2A: JJ Faulk, Highland Home
- 1A: Hayes Farrell, Donoho
- AISA: Ashton Yelder, Lowndes Academy
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