While high school sports can be intense, it’s times like these where the games themselves take a back seat, as Dawson County as a community mourns the loss of Dawson boys and girls soccer coach Jed Lacey, who passed away in a fatal car accident Saturday morning.
Lacey is a staple of the Dawson community, as he was as passionate a coach as you’d find in the state, especially in regards to his love for the game of soccer and his players.
According to sources, his daughter (junior GK Fallan Lacey) was in the car as well, but no update has been provided on her condition. Lacey tallied over 200 wins between the girls and boys team, and took them to great heights when taking over the program in 2009.
His boys and girls teams won four outright region championships, won over 200 games, made state 15 times, and advanced to the quarterfinals five times. Nine of his players won BLITZ Player of the Year honors, including his daughter Fallan just months ago.
Lacey, recently named 7-AAA Girls Coach of the Year, was also an assistant coach on the Tigers football team.
Many reactions were tweeted out on Saturday in reaction to his tragic death, including from his daughter:
Wanted to say thanks to everyone who have been helping me out and so happy GOD was with me and joey and now my dad is with him love u dad💗
— Fallan Lacey (@FallanBLacey) August 12, 2017
Our hearts are heavy today. Coach Lacey’s energy and love for his players was unmatched. We are praying for his family & @_jtoal
— Dawson Football® (@football_dawson) August 12, 2017
Heaven gained one the most passionate men I have ever had the chance to be around and been coach by. Love you Coach Lacy!
— Luke Martin (@LukeMartin3417) August 12, 2017
Terrible news today at the passing of coach Jed Lacey for Dawson!! God please be with this family & all who know coach Lacey! RIP!
— Blitz (@BlitzSportsGA) August 12, 2017
Coach Lacey will be missed by many… We’ll miss his requests to be interviewed… those were always funny! RIP Coach Lacy. https://t.co/49dCSplBgY
— North GA SportsLink (@NGSportsLink) August 12, 2017
Feature photo from Canupictureitonline.com