Kristian Story was nervous about his weekend in the spotlight.

He knows it’s an honor to occupy the place he does in his tiny hometown of Lanett, located halfway between Opelika and the Georgia state line. But that doesn’t mean he would ever ask to be the center of all this attention.

“When I first learned about it, I was a little nervous,” Story said. “But it does my heart good to know that little kids here look up to me and to know that other people want to hear what I have to say and what’s important in my life.”

What’s important is football, of course. But that’s not his only role in the community.

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound quarterback/safety had just led his team to a shutout win over Lafayette Friday night, wrapping up a sweep of Chambers County rivals after defeating Valley to open the season. As a state champion and Alabama commit, he’s become accustomed to on-field success.

It was his testimonial to his church, Ocie Ministries, two days later that had him wondering how he would hold up under pressure. The church has been home to Story since he was born and is even named after his great-grandfather, Ocie Hicks. Now, as a high school senior, it’s time for him to assume a more prominent role.

“He’s always been a momma’s boy, but he’s a great kid,” said someone who should know, his mother, Krisse. “We’ve known from birth that he was an athlete. People think I’m kidding, but he was cut with muscles even as a baby. He’s just a natural, raw athlete. But he’s worked hard, too.”

Krisse is the volleyball coach at Lanett High, because she was “voluntold” by her husband/boss that she had gotten the job. Clifford Story is the head football coach and athletics director at Lanett High School. He’s been incredibly successful as a football coach in part because he is in the middle of a long line of talented Story brothers at quarterback.

Trey Story was a three-year starter before leaving to play college football (he’s now at Tuskegee). Kristian is in his third year as a starting quarterback, and he will be succeeded at quarterback by Caden, a sophomore defensive end on this year’s team.

That will mean eight straight years of Storys at quarterback for Lanett. The coach wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s awesome,” the coach said of mentoring his quarterback sons. “They know exactly what we’re trying to accomplish, and it’s so convenient to be able to sit at the kitchen table and talk through our game plan. I think all the boys would tell you the same thing.”

After committing to Tennessee then considering Texas A&M, Story -- a 4-star prospect, according to national recruiting services, is now solidly committed to Alabama, although what position he’ll play in college remains unclear.

Story is the only quarterback in Alabama’s 2020 recruiting class, although the Tide is still pursuing 5-star Southern Cal commit Bryce Young from Santa Ana, Calif.

Story, who is No. 50 on the Southern 120: AL.com’s ranking of top prospects in the Class of 2020, is unsure which position he will play once he gets to Tuscaloosa. He said he’s open to all possibilities.

“The Alabama coaches are giving me the option to play either quarterback or safety,” Story said. “They trust in my abilities at both positions. As a player and a person they’ve talked to me about which decision will be best for me.”

Story may just be scratching the surface of his ability as a quarterback. After being injured in the first game, he played all of his junior season with a torn labrum that was not diagnosed until postseason surgery was required. “He’s a tough cookie,” Krisse said.

He’s now completely recovered, but last week against Lafayette Story completed only 7-of-19 passes for 107 yards. He did throw touchdown passes of 6 and 31 yards to lead the Panthers to a 17-0 shutout.

Since Story has taken over as the starting quarterback, Lanett has posted a record of 27-2. They went 15-0 two years ago on the way to the Class 2A state championship, had a 10-game winning streak last season and are off to a 2-0 start this season.

Story is clearly a winner and a smalltown star on the field. With that comes responsibilities that he welcomes.

“It’s really cool to walk through the elementary school and have those kids come up to me,” Story said. “You can’t take those things for granted. You have to show class all the time and be ready to keep working even when things don’t go your way all the time.”

The congregation at Ocie Ministries is sure to be proud of that message.