Bledsoe County High School running back Brandon Smith.At some point last spring it dawned on Brandon Smith that the 2011 football season would be his last at Bledsoe County.
"He was here every morning in the summer at 6:45 to do his lifting. The year before it wasn't like that," Bledsoe coach Jason Reel said.
Looking to help his team defend its District 7-AA championship, Smith got the year off to a quick start, rushing for 260 yards and three TDs and catching four passes for another 31 yards as Bledsoe went on the road to defeat Cumberland County 34-14. For his efforts, the senior was selected as the Times Free Press high school player of the week.
"When he's in the game you can approach your offensive and defensive schemes a little differently because he is such a factor," Reel said. "He's as valuable as any running back or safety can be."
In addition to his offensive showing, he had 339 total yards because he also had a 48-yard punt return. The second-year starter also had nine tackles from his safety position.
His performance was anticipated, if not expected, especially after he rushed for 1,100 yards in just eight games a year ago.
"His balance is unbelievable. There were at least two or three plays where the referees whistled the ball dead and his knee hadn't touched the ground," Reel said. "But if you give credit anywhere it has to go to the offensive line. We expected them to execute their assignments and give the skill guys a chance. They did that."
While it was good to extend the school's season-opener win streak to three, Reel didn't intend to let the Warriors get content.
"We went into the game thinking one play at a time and the coaching staff was anxious to see what kind of attitude the kids were going to show up with. Those were good things," he said. "We need to tackle better and we have to limit our turnovers. We turned it over three times inside their 30."
It's likely that the 5-foot-9, 170-pound Smith will continue as a focal point on both sides of the ball.
"He is a great student and he's a great team leader through his actions, but then actions speak louder than words," Reel said. "He could be a college prospect, but somebody is going to have to be willing to take a chance because of his size."
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765.