Ashland’s Defensive Leader: Gunner Lacey Locked In for Senior Season

Ashland High School linebacker Gunner Lacey is entering his final year of high school football with one clear mission—prove he’s one of the best defensive players in the region and help lead the Arrows to another deep playoff run.

After an outstanding junior season, where he piled up 140 tackles (81 solo), 29 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and multiple forced turnovers, Lacey has already established himself as a key piece of Ashland’s defense.

But the senior isn’t satisfied. His offseason was all about growth.

“I turned it up a notch this offseason,” Lacey said heading into the fall. “Because I’m not only trying to have a big high school career, but trying to prove to college coaches who I am.”

While he has personal goals of showcasing his skills for college recruiters and preparing for the next level, Lacey is quick to emphasize that his top priority is team success.

After going 12-0 last year in the regular season, expectations for the Arrows are sky-high heading into 2025. Lacey is clear about his goals for the squad this fall.

“Undefeated regular season, winning the conference, getting to the state championship and winning that—which I feel like we can do,” said the senior.

For him, success isn’t just measured in individual numbers, but in championships and lasting memories as a team.

That said, Lacey still has personal ambitions that fuel him every day. He wants to leave no doubt about where he stands among Ohio’s best.

“I’m trying to get first team All-Ohio again, top linebacker in the state, stats-wise—everything more than I had last year. I gotta make the quarterback and running backs fear me.”

Recruiters have already taken notice of his impact, and while Lacey is still weighing his options at the next level, he knows this season is his biggest opportunity to showcase that he can compete with the best. He brings speed, toughness, and relentless energy to the linebacker position—traits that translate at any level of football.

Defensive coordinator Ryan Stackhouse calls him “the heartbeat of the defense,” and praised Lacey’s instincts in particular.

“He reads the offense so well. It’s almost like blood in the water for a shark,” said Stackhouse. “Once he senses it, he moves so quickly no one really realizes what’s happening until the play is over.”

Now that the 2025 season is underway, Lacey has his sights set on consistency and impact every single week. Ashland knows what they’re going to get from their senior linebacker—physicality, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of the football. The bigger question is just how high he can raise the ceiling of this defense one last time.