Franklin’s Stacy pulls double duty in soccer, football

“I was like, whatever,” Stacy said. “I didn’t know if I would like it or not. There is a completely different atmosphere between the two sports, but I have loved every minute of it.”

Stacy has developed into an integral part of both programs as his senior year begins.

He has hit all five extra points and is 1-for-2 in field-goal attempts for the 1-1 Wildcat football team. On the pitch, he leads the Southwestern Buckeye League in scoring with eight goals and two assists in six games for 18 points.

“Scoring a goal is still better because it is a lot more difficult to do that,” Stacy said. “Football is hard as well, but I grew up playing soccer.”

Stacy has worked with kicking guru Tim Williams to improve in football and has come a long way from when he line-drived the first football he attempted to kick.

“He has taken a lot of repetitions and worked on his technique and has taken the time to learn the right techniques,” Franklin football coach Brad Childers said. “It is a different technique to have the ability to go from kicking an oblong ball to a round one, but he has been a blessing.”

Football has also served as a blessing to Stacy on several platforms.

“Doing both has actually been a great benefit for us,” first-year soccer coach Brian Smiley said. “He can take free kicks from further out because of the mechanics of kicking a football.”

And it has filled up his schedule, that’s for sure.

“You don’t get much free time,” Stacy said. “Add in all honors classes and being class president and it really gets me away from everything else.”

As for what Stacy is going to do at the next level, that is still up in the air.

“I know I want to go to college,” he said. “I haven’t decided if I am going to play football or soccer, or try both yet.”

One thing Stacy does know for sure is that one little item needs to be fixed.

“My mom pointed out that they have me listed as a junior on the football roster,” Stacy said. “I need to get that changed so colleges know I am a senior. The rest is just going out there and kicking.”