CLASS 2-A: Will Smith, Jr., Quarterback, Hempstead:
Around Hempstead, junior quarterback Will Smith is rapidly becoming as famous as the actor whose name he shares. For Bobcats’ fans, the 5-8, 160-pound Smith may soon carve out his own “I am Legend” reputation. In last week’s hard-fought 43-32 district opening win over Edna, Smith put up 468 yards of offense, carrying the ball 24 times for a whopping 384 yards and six scores. He also completed five passes for another 84 yards and one more TD. It was his second straight 300+ yard rushing game and gives him season numbers of 90 carries for 1,073 yards (nearly 12 yards a pop) and 13 TDs to go with his 622 passing yards and six more scores. No one should be terribly surprised at Smith’s performance. In 2012, his sophomore year, he led District 14-2A in both rushing (1,724) and passing (1,588) yards.
An outstanding basketball player and track athlete (“He’s the fastest kid in school,” says his coach), Will owns a solid 3.0 GPA. He devotes whatever spare time he has to giving back to the community, joining a group of football players who feed needy families and working with the local Youth Under Construction team.
“There’s no doubt that Willy is the most special kid I’ve ever coached,” says veteran Coach Ricky Sargent. “He combines great talent with a work ethic that can’t be matched. His teammates appreciate his ongoing effort to improve and they all appreciate it. He has paid his dues and for that they really look up to him.”
CLASS 1-A: Austin Aguirre, Soph., Wide Receiver/Defensive Back/Kick Returner, Normangee:
Even Normangee’s most loyal fans were, to say the least, concerned last week. The Panthers trailed Hull-Daisetta 47-42 with 12 seconds left, 41 yards from the end zone. That’s when quarterback Elijah Eastern dialed up his most trusted receiver, Austin Aguirre. Aguirre made the catch and out-sprinted the safety for the pylon for the 48-47 win. Austin’s clutch catch-and-run helped the 4-3 Panthers to their fourth straight win heading into the bye week. The smallish 5-8, 152-pound sophomore totaled eight catches for 230 yards and four TDs (the others were from 15, 59, and 61 yards) and tacked on a pair of two-point conversion runs in the seesaw non-district game. And that wasn’t all. He made five tackles on defense, grabbed an interception, and returned a kickoff 66 yards, setting up another score.
Aguirre is the owner of a B+ academic average and is a five-sport athlete, participating in basketball (starting point guard), track (three relays), tennis, and golf in addition to football. An active member of FCA, he also volunteers as a coach in Normangee’s youth sports program.
“Austin never comes off the field; he never wants a break,” says Coach Kevin Morton. “He has that innate football sense and he seems to improve with every practice and game. He’s a pleasure to coach and, for him, the sky’s the limit.”
Story courtesy of playeroftheweek.com