Alabama came up short against rival Auburn in the Iron Bowl last weekend at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

That wasn’t the case for one of the Crimson Tide’s top 2020 recruits today on the same field.

“Last time me and my recruiter (Charles Kelly) talked this week, I said, ‘Man, ya’ll didn’t come home with a ‘W’ so I’ll get you this time,” Lanett’s Kristian Story said. “So it means a lot to win here.”

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound quarterback accounted for four touchdowns – three in the second half – and also recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass on defense as the Panthers outlasted defending champ Mars Hill 41-30 to claim the 1A state title.

Kelly was in attendance to witness Story’s final game with Lanett. He finished his career as the AHSAA’s career leader for total offense (13,219 yards) and touchdowns accounted for (175), passing the marks current Auburn freshman quarterback Bo Nix set at Scottsboro and Pinson Valley.

“It means a lot to have the most touchdowns in state history,” Story said. “I never would have dreamed of that in eighth and ninth grade. Going into 10th grade, people said I wouldn’t be good at quarterback. It just means a lot to show everyone what you can do.”

Story’s position at Alabama is still to be determined. He showed off his skills in multiple facets on Thursday. Story completed 18-of-23 passes for 249 yards and also ran for 110 yards on 13 carries. His scoring runs went for 2 and 52 yards.

On defense, he made eight tackles, including one for a loss. He also ended Mars Hill’s final two offensive possessions with his fumble recovery and a leaping interception.

“I saw that last pass coming and I just thought, ‘This will be a crazy way to end it,’” Story said. “I had to get it.”

Story celebrated after the interception by throwing the football high in the air. It garnered an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, but that didn’t matter. The game was over.

“It’s a special moment,” Story said. “It’s finally over. Maybe ‘finally’ is not the right word because I’m happy, but it’s been a long journey for me. I’ve been playing since eighth grade, and it really flew by. For us to end like this with the career I had, it does me good.”

Story will participate in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic next week in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, then set his sights on his college career. Whether he plays quarterback or safety or another position in an Alabama uniform doesn’t matter to him. He said his plan is just to go in and compete for playing time at whatever position the coaches see fit.

“It’s something I’ve been dreaming about my whole life,” he said. “I grew up watching Alabama play so to be going in to play for them. It feels amazing.”