H-S Athlete of the Week: Anthony Smith, Southmoreland

Name: Anthony Smith
School: Southmoreland
Class: Freshman
Sport: Football
Smith’s week: Smith completed 16 of 28 passes for 284 yards and threw touchdowns to three different receivers – Elliot Premus, Jackson Mickens and Makel Darnell – in Southmoreland’s key 28-7 win at Mount Pleasant last Friday. “It was a big game for the conference but it’s also a rivalry game,” Smith said. “Everyone knows each other. So you want to get that ‘W’ for bragging rights. That game you could tell was a little bit more chirpy.”
The trio of scoring passes gave Smith 21 on the season which broke the single-season school record of 19 held by Zach Cernuto. The win kept the Scotties (3-0, 7-1) tied for first place in the Class 3A Interstate Conference with Elizabeth Forward, who they play on the road this Friday.
So far in his freshman season Smith has connected on 99 of 176 passes for 1,775 yards with the 21 TDs and nine interceptions. The upcoming game with EF looms large. Southmoreland hasn’t won a conference title since 1979 and has never won a playoff game. “Those are definitely goals for me and my team,” Smith said. “We want to make history and be able to talk about this for the rest of our lives.”
Beginnings: Southmoreland third-year coach Tim Bukowski knew he had a special player in Smith. “I’ve been coaching 33 years and I haven’t had anyone like him. The arm strength was evident from the beginning,” Bukowski said. “Once we saw him start to take over the huddle and the team … they believed in him from the start.”
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Smith set himself up for success. “He’s a year-around football guy,” Bukowski said. “He’s in all the seven-on-sevens and goes to clinics and trains with Mike McMahon, who played for the (Detroit) Lions. He was so prepared coming into the season, even though he’s a freshman by class he plays like an upperclassman.”
Smith has steadily improved as the season has gone on. “The first game everything was faster than what I was used to in middle school,” said the 15-year-old son of Ron and Heather Smith. “Once you get in rhythm it gets better each game. It slows down and you just go out there and play your game.”
Bukowski sees Smith evolving. “He can throw the ball 65 yards on a rope,” Bukowski said. “What you’re really noticing is on hot routes. When somebody runs an out and they turn it’s like, boom, the ball’s right there. That shows his arm strength.”
Supporting cast: Smith is thankful for the offense he was inserted into. “My receivers go up and make fantastic catches and get a lot of yards after the catch,” Smith said “We have a lot of talent and depth at the receiver position which takes some stress off me. I’m just grateful that my coaches set me up for success. They put me in a good system. My offensive line always has my back.”
Bukowski acknowledged it’s been a group effort. “We have four seniors and a junior that start up front. Our running backs have also done a really good job in pass protect. Premus has 801 receiving yards so far this season. He’s a 6-3 receiver who can go up and get it. Mickens at tight end is another freshman. He has over 20 catches and is a real competitive guy when the ball is in the air. Darnell has made some really explosive plays. He’s our shifty receiver. Ty Warrick is another guy who Anthony trusts. He wins a lot of one-on-one battles.”
Looking ahead: Smith is already drawing plenty of college interest. “I go on college visits,” he said. “A lot of (college) coaches invite me out. It’s definitely on my radar but I’m just focusing on this season now. I just want to keep going, break some more records and just get some team success.”
Tidbits: Smith intends to play baseball and track & field in the spring. “I took a year off from baseball just to prepare for my freshman year in football but I’ll probably get back into baseball and track this year. I’ve been pretty good at baseball, too. I’m a pitcher/shortstop.” … Smith likes to spend time on the water. “My parents, we own a boat and jetski so we usually spend most of our summers at the lake,” Smith said. “I like to golf a lot during the summer and fall, too.”
Compiled by Rob Burchianti