Owls' Smith a starter in East loss

SAN ANTONIO -- Defensive end Jacques Smith from Ooltewah started for the East and also played on kickoff coverage Saturday in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl for top high school seniors, but the West won 30-14. The former Owls star headed to the University of Tennessee recorded one tackle and two quarterback pressures.

"I think I learned a lot about what I need to improve on when I get to UT," Smith said. "I just need to gain some weight, keep running and lifting, and any problems that I may have I know the Tennessee staff will fix.

"I'm really glad now that I graduated early and will get an early start at Tennessee, because that will help me get adjusted and be ahead of the other freshmen that won't get there until the fall."

Earlier this week Smith had hinted that Volunteers fans should expect a couple of surprise announcements during the game. That prediction came true when Byrnes (S.C.) defensive end Brandon Willis and Midway (Texas) safety Ahmad Dixon both committed to Tennessee.

The Vols also had two previous commitments, receiver Markeith Ambles and kicker Michael Palardy, who started for the East.

"To have five guys in that game says a lot about the direction our program is headed," said Smith, who enrolls at UT this week. "That should tell a lot of people we'll have a special program really soon, and I'm happy to be a part of it."

Josh Shirley recovered a blocked field and raced 77 yards for a touchdown in the key play for the West stars.

Shirley, a linebacker from Fontana (Calif.) Kaiser High who has not announced his commitment for next season, picked up the loose ball after it was blocked by Cassius Marsh, an LSU-bound player from Westlake Village, Calif.

Sharrif Floyd of Philadelphia had two sacks and another pressure, and Ronald Powell of Moreno Valley (Rancho Verde), Calif., had a touchdown reception and returned a blocked extra point 97 yards. Both announced commitments to Florida.

Cole Marcoux, a New York City star headed to Dartmouth, threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes for the East.