Smith among newcomers stepping up at Ole Brook

Published 6:00 pm Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Quarterback Zach Smith was one of the manynewcomers to Brookhaven’s starting lineup last Thursday night.Smith responded with an outstanding performance in his first start,throwing three touchdown passes and running for another TD in OleBrook’s 35-14 victory against Lawrence County in the 2011 seasonopener for both schools.

    Smith’s performance has earned  him The DAILY LEADER’s OffensivePlayer of the Week recognition.

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    “Our offensive line moved the line of scrimmage and they reallystepped it up,” said Smith, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound junior. Hecompleted 5 of 8 passes for 112 yards and rushed 15 times for 57yards.

    Working in Brook’s revamped offensive line are B.J. Robinson (6-3,245, jr.) at center, Tyler Collins (5-11, 270, sr.) at right guard,Steven Hudson (6-2, 250, sr.) at right tackle, Rashun Smith (6-0,210, soph.) at left guard and Cody Winters (6-2 270, sr.) at lefttackle. The tight end is Genoa Sartin (5-11, 180, jr.).

    Working at wide receiver are Ross Hill (6-2, 185, sr.), FredTrevillion (6-0, 155, soph.) and Sherrod Gray (6-0, 160, sr.).

    Justin Blue was Brook’s leading rusher with 14 carries for 85 yardsand a TD.

    Smith found Fred Trevillion for 25 yards and the game’s first TD.He also threw a pair of TD passes to Hill who made catches of 39and 26 yards.

    Wade Henderson made a successful debut as BHS head coach. Hecomplimented Smith.

    “Zach did a great job in his first start,” said Henderson. “He’s agreat leader on the field and by example. He read the plays realwell.”

    Smith showed strength running between the tackles. He had a 25-yardTD run in the second quarter.

    Mike Powell, Brook’s new offensive coordinator, also made asuccessful debut. Smith said, “Coach Powell called some goodplays.”

    Smith said he enjoys playing for Coach Henderson. “He pushes ushard in practice and he gets us very well prepared.”

    He is the 16-year-old son of Tim and Julie Smith. He has an oldersister, Carey Beth; and three younger brothers: Garrett, 13;Brandon, 12; and Eli, 8. Their father is a 1983 BHS graduate.

    “We are always throwing the ball around the yard,” said Zach. He’salso a catcher on the baseball team.

    Smith said his experience at the Manning Quarterback Camp thissummer at Thibodaux, La., was memorable. “It was neat. I got totalk to Peyton and Eli (Manning) a good bit. It was awesome.”

    Asked about his future plans, Smith said he was leaning towards acareer in engineering. His favorite college team is MississippiState.

    Smith was mainly a spectator on the sidelines last season whenDuwone Harris was quarterbacking the Panthers. They made it all theway to the Class 5A state championship game after upsetting threefavored playoff opponents.

    A total of 26 seniors graduated off of last year’s 8-5 squad. “Thistime it is up to the juniors and seniors,” said Smith. “We’ve hadsome sophomores who really stepped it up, too.

    “Now we have to keep it rolling,” said Smith. “I expect Hazlehurstto be faster and quicker in every phase of the game.”

     Smith said he was lookingforward to his first starting assignment on King Field. “It will befun playing at home.”