Current Teammates, Future SEC Opponents: Saraland Stars Talk Friendship

SARALAND, Alabama (WKRG) — Some of the state’s top high school programs played Tuesday at Saraland High School, competing in a 7-on-7 tournament.

The reigning Class 6A state champion welcomes Class 7A powerhouse and four-time reigning state champion Thompson. Enterprise, Hewitt Trussville and Opelika also traveled to the Gulf Coast for the event.

The Spartans will have two of the nation’s top players in the 2025 class, five-star wide receiver and Alabama commit Ryan Williams. The guy throwing the ball to Alabama’s Mr. Football? KJ Lacy is none other than Texas’ four star.

Williams and Lacy boast one of the best QB-WR duos in the state, if not the United States. The two led the Spartans to a 14-1 season and achieved the school’s first blue map.

In his second season, Williams totaled 42 touchdowns and 2,700 total yards. He had 1,641 receiving yards, 24 touchdowns, 700 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Williams added two punt returns for touchdowns.

Lacey was equally thrilled. He finished 64 percent for 3,177 yards and 40 touchdowns in 15 games. He added four touchdowns on the ground.

WKRG Sporting Director Simone Eli interviewed two future SEC stars during the event.

“He’s so dedicated, I think I’d say ‘get horny’ more than he gets horny,” Williams joked. “I’m so proud of him because he definitely deserves it.”

“Every time he says ‘horn down,’ I spit it out,” Ms. Lacey said. “We talk all the time and make fun of each other’s schools. It’s going to be fun going to college and getting to know the other guys we play against in the SEC. It’s going to be fun. .”

Saraland head coach Jeff Kelly knows how special the two are and says they “give each other so much grief.”

“It’s a camp photo that went up on Twitter this week,” Kelly joked. “You know Ryan[Williams]who’s turned the corner down. They’re having a lot of fun.”

He also mentioned the possibility of a Texas-Alabama game party this fall.