Jeff Chaney
Sports Scene
Like most teenagers, and like just about all high school athletes, Travis Smith thought he was indestructible.
So when the Ithaca quarterback injured his throwing shoulder on the second play of last year’s Division 6 state championship game against Constantine and was unable to return to help his teammates, it was a tough life lesson to learn.
The lesson was to not take anything for granted.
But it was also a lesson that motivated the Yellowjackets signal caller to work even harder to make it back to Ford Field and finish what he started.
“I never thought I would get hurt last year, and when it happened, it really motivated me all off-season,” Smith said. “It made me put in more work. I thought about it all off-season when I got hurt, and I really wanted to get back to Ford Field and play. I just wanted to go out and play at my highest level at Ford Field my senior year.”
So Smith worked, as did his teammates, and Ithaca made it back to Ford Field November 29 for the Yellowjackets’ fourth straight state championship game, this year against Clinton.
Prior to the state final game, Smith had completed 170 of 237 passes for 3,017 yards and 38 touchdowns. He had only thrown six interceptions. Smith had also run 61 times for 414 yards and six touchdowns.
During the final, Smith did play at the highest level, throwing for 247 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for a touchdown and intercepted a Clinton pass that he returned 30 yards for another touchdown.
The Yellowjackets scored six times, and Smith had his hand in all of them.
“He had absolutely complete motivation from last year,” Ithaca coach Terry Hessbrook said. “When he got hurt, his only goal was to get back to Ford Field.
“I was very happy Travis was able to start and finish this game,” he added. “Last year was tougher when we had to scramble when [wide receiver Logan Hessbrook] had to go in for him. I was happy he was able to finish this year.”
“I knew we had a great team this year, and great players around me,” Smith said. “After I got hurt last year, I was in shock, but I knew we could come back and win this year. Now it is hard to believe it is all over.”
Smith will leave Ithaca for the University of Toledo as one of the most decorated quarterbacks in Michigan history. He was recently named Mr. Football and was also named the first-ever Michigan High School Football Player of the Year presented by Mlive.
Smith is a player Hessbrook will surely miss. “Sure I’m going to miss him; he is the all-time career leader in touchdown passes in the state of Michigan,” Hessbrook said. “And he will probably have the second most yards. A great career.”
The good thing for Hessbrook is that there is another Smith ready to fill the hole.
“I have a feeling you will see Travis’ little brother Jake step in and see a pretty talented young man himself,” Hessbrook said. “He is very smart and talented.”
More good news for Ithaca – another great quarterback.