Quarterback Gage Posey is the stick that stirs the drink. In other words, Posey is the catalyst in Brookhaven Academy’s high-powered spread offense.

     Posey completed 21 of 38 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns in Friday night’s 35-21 loss to the Oak Forest Academy Yellowjackets. That performance has earned him The DAILY LEADER’s Offensive Player of the Week recognition.

     “Gage is everything you look for in a quarterback,” said BA head coach Tripp McCarty. “We ask our quarterback to do a lot of things in our offense. He has to play at a high level.”

     McCarty said Posey is an intense competitor. “Gage is extremely driven. He doesn’t like to lose.”

     The Cougars are off to a 3-4 start this season. They lost two fumbles in last week’s upset loss to Oak Forest.

     Posey, who passed for over 2,000 yards last season, said the Cougars haven’t achieved their potential. “We have the pieces to be a state championship team. We have to get together more as a team.”

     McCarty said the Cougars were focused and upbeat at Monday’s practice. They are preparing for a Friday road test at Bowling Green Academy in Franklinton, La.

     Posey, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound senior, has passed for 1,555 yards and 9 touchdowns this season. He’s completed 96 of 152 passes and been intercepted 4 times. The southpaw also has rushed for 7 TDs.

     “My offensive line is improving every game,” said Posey. “They are doing a good job.”

     Starting in BA’s offensive line are Cody Thornhill at center, Travis Thornton at right tackle, Colby Culbertson at right guard, Wyatt Pepper at left guard and Drew Philipp at left tackle.

     He also praised his receiving corps that is led by senior wide receiver Seth Rushing. “I like our receivers. They run those routes perfect.”

     He is the 18-year-old son of Kevin and Rhonda (Coleman) Posey, both standout high school athletes in their teenage years. Rhonda played basketball at Wesson and Kevin played baseball and basketball at BA.

     Posey’s older brother, Garrett, also starred in football at BA. He’s currently a student at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

     Looking to the future, Posey said he would like to play quarterback in college. He has received recruiting interest from several junior and senior colleges.

     A 3-sport standout, Posey plays forward/center in basketball. He is a pitcher and outfielder on the baseball team.

     In the weight room, Posey can bench press 270 pounds and squat with 295. He runs a 4.7 flat in the 40-yard dash.

     He has been playing quarterback since the fourth grade. He wears jersey No. 15 in honor of New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow.

     Posey said he has learned a lot about quarterback from McCarty who is a certified instructor with a national football camp organization. “Coach McCarty is my favorite coach. He’s taught me what I know about playing quarterback.”

     An honor roll student, Posey said his long-term career goal is to become a nurse anesthetist. His favorite subject is an advanced course: Anatomy & Physiology.

     In his spare time, he enjoys bass fishing. His favorite lure is a crankbait.