Thursday, March 28, 2024

Lacy’s move to receiver gives Granbury a deep threat

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Granbury High School senior Dereck Lacy Jr. has plans for a career in real estate, but before that happens, he wants to eat up plenty of ground at his newfound position at wide receiver.

It’s a big transition for the all-district defensive back, but one that makes sense considering he’s the fastest Pirate, and he gives the team a legitimate deep receiving threat for quarterback Austin Jinkerson.

“I don’t like to brag, but I’m pretty sure I am the fastest guy out here,” Lacy said.

The coaches have undoubtedly noticed, and it will mean double duty for the fleetest of the Pirate crew.

It’s not an easy transition.

“The hardest part about playing wide receiver, to be honest, is the blocking,” Lacy said. “As a defensive back, I am coming and lighting somebody up – cleaning them out. As a wide receiver, I have to know when to let up because I may be needed to block further down the field.”

However, playing defensive back also helps at playing wide receiver because Lacy has seen all those fakes and cuts made against him, and he even plans on adding some of those to his skill set.

“Oh yeah, I have some ideas, and there is one double-stutter step, shift and cut I plan on trying because it worked against me when I was on defense,” Lacy said. “It’s a move that I have stuck in my back pocket.”

Lacy had plans to play some offense last season, but the move up to the varsity combined with a starting role was a lot to handle. With a year’s experience under his belt, he feels more comfortable taking on more responsibilities on the other side of the football.

“I want to be able to dominate with my blocking and make the adjustments I need to catch the football,” Lacy said. “The most important thing is doing my job and helping the team win games.”

Lacy has had to hit the ground running as he learns his new position, and he’s spent extra time with Jinkerson snagging balls.

“I didn’t realize how hard Austin throws the football until I started catching balls from him,” Lacy said. “I have been working hard to catch the ball with my fingertips and not on my palms.”

The new wide receiver has sought out his quarterback for repeated throwing sessions to work on his receiving skills.

That’s the fun stuff because there have been countless hours of learning, running routes, and figuring out where he needs to be for timing plays.

Being a defensive back at heart means coming in with the thunder at full speed, and now Lacy is adjusting to catching the ball with some finesse.

“I can’t go out there and have brick hands,” Lacy said. “I have to keep it soft.”

While he is working on catching all the footballs thrown at him, Lacy also believes if he gives 100 percent at the position, he will be delighted with his play.

“When I am blocking someone, I want to completely dominate the situation. I want them to know I am going to make adjustments on the next play,” Lacy said.

Adding a position also means more time with a playbook. On the 20-minute drive to practice, he sits next to his mother, Ronesia Lewis, pouring over the Pirates’ playbook. Some of the pages may be dog-eared.

“Books are one thing that I love. It doesn’t matter what it’s about – give me a good book to read, and I will page-mark it by bending a corner of the page,” Lacy said.

With as much time as he has put in on the varsity, he is well versed in his fellow players’ capabilities and has no hesitation picking out who he thought was the most demanding player to tackle on the Pirates’ squad.

“Braydon Olthoff is a defensive lineman, but when he goes on offense and carries the ball, he is something else,” Lacy said. “He is hands down the hardest player to tackle. Jadon Rogers (sophomore) has some great moves, but he’s younger and still growing.”

How does Lacy feel about the progress of this year’s team?

“I think we are a step ahead this season, and we are anticipating where we need to be instead of being reactionary. The guys have put in a lot of work this summer,” Lacy said.

There’s still lots of time to decide, but Lacy is leaning toward playing basketball this season, and track and field are on tap in the spring.

“I want to have a memorable senior year and challenge myself, too,” Lacy said.

Lacy is the son of Ronesia Lewis and Dereck Lacy.

Russell@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066 Ext. 231