At 15 years of age, Charles Rancifer is trying to fill a giant’sshoes. The Brookhaven sophomore quarterback is improving each gameas he fills the position vacated by all-state quarterback JimmyJohns, an Alabama signee who led the Ole Brook Panthers to theClass 4A state championship in 2004.

Last Friday, Rancifer passed for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns. Healso rushed for 26 yards and a TD in Ole Brook’s 34-25 loss toClass 5A Clinton. For his performance, Rancifer has been selectedThe DAILY LEADER’s Offensive Player of the Week.

Ole Brook head coach Tucker Peavey recognizes Rancifer’sathletic ability and unlimited potential. “Charles is smart andathletic. He’s a good football player. He has those things you lookfor in a quarterback.,

“Charles is young and inexperienced but he is going to getbetter,” said Peavey. “He has all the tools to become a greatquarterback. I have complete confidence in him as aquarterback.”

The road hasn’t been easy for Rancifer (6-1, 180), who turned 15on Aug. 17. He completed 19 of 39 passes against Clinton and wasintercepted twice. Ole Brook’s rushing game was almost nonexistent,accounting for 8 yards on 25 rushes versus Clinton’s stuntingdefense.

Working behind an inexperienced offensive line, Rancifer madethe best of a difficult situation. He scored Ole Brook’s firsttouchdown of the season in the fourth quarter on a 12-yardscramble. He followed with touchdown passes of 17 and 15 yards tosenior wide receiver Montral Smith.

Rancifer, the son of Charles and Tiffany Rancifer, has beenplaying quarterback since the sixth grade. His father playedfootball and graduated from BHS in 1982. His mother, a 1989 BHSgrad, was a cheerleader.

Ole Brook’s 3-touchdown fourth quarter was impressive. Clintonhad led 13-3 before the Panthers rallied to tie the score at13-13.

“Coach (Peavey) told me to take over,” said Rancifer. “He putthe game in my hands.”

Rancifer said his offensive line “is getting better.” Theyinclude Nick Noworyta at center, Skyler Smith at left guard, TaylorNewman at right guard, Darion Smith at right tackle and JerryDickey at left tackle. Simmie Yarbrough is the tight end.

Rancifer runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7 and bench presses 205pounds. He is a standout basketball player who participated in aninvitational summer camp at Columbus, Ohio.

In his free time, Rancifer enjoys watching the Miami Hurricaneson Saturday and the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. His favorite playerin Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick. “I like to see what he (Vick)does. How he puts the game in his hands.”

In the classroom, Rancifer’s favorite subject is math.

On the gridiron, winning is a priority, especially Fridaynight’s home game against McComb. “We want to come out and win ourregion again,” said Rancifer. “We are 0-2 and this is our firstdivision game.”