GREENACRES – We are exactly six days away from National Signing Day.

This is a special time for all of our area’s seniors, which include John I. Leonard wide receiver Ahmad Orange.

He may not be well-known outside of the Lancers organization, but Orange was one of the top targets of fellow senior/quarterback Jadiel Cruz. For the opportunities that came his way, Orange performed in a respectable manner this past season with 26 catches for 355 yards and one touchdown.

One of the best senior moments for Orange came in Week 1, when John I. Leonard evaded a furious charge by Spanish River to score a 35-31 road win that catapulted Cruz (five total touchdowns) to being named our MVP of Week 1.

“I scored twice, but they both got called back,” Orange said. “The game was very lit. It felt good to win, but we didn’t wanna get to hyped up about. All my quarterback ever wanted was greatness.”

There was another senior standout moment for Orange.

“My best moment as a senior is that I taught the young kids a lot in every Friday night game,” Orange said. “They were cheering me on.”

Orange’s best overall moment at John I. Leonard came before his senior season started.

“It was when I scored my first touchdown my junior year against Palm Beach Gardens,” Orange said. “My coach [Keith Chattin] said, ‘I told you it was coming.’ Best feeling for me.”

Though Orange doesn’t have a large amount of Hudl film to evaluate, what he showed on the field was good enough to earn two offers from Arkansas Baptist College and Greensboro College.

“I have a couple of offers,” Orange said. “It’s coming along.”

Will the 5-foot-11, 183-pound wide receiver sign his letter of intent to a college next Wednesday (Feb. 5) at John I. Leonard?

We’ll all find out soon.

The seniors that are on the radar at John I. Leonard are Orange, Cruz, wide receiver Jonel Dieujuste, linebacker/fullback Kenneth Charles, and linebacker/safety Robert Curtis

“We might sign on Wednesday,” Orange said. “Stay tuned”.

PHOTO CREDITS: Gene Nardi