It would be challenging for Jared Smith to come anywhere near his record-breaking 2015 season for Pewamo-Westphalia, but he’s going to give it a shot in 2016.
In the Division 7 semifinals last season against Loyola, Smith became the first player in state history to surpass the 3,000-yard rushing mark in a season. He also set a state record with two more scores for a season total of 52.
His sophomore season wasn’t too shabby either with 2,140 rushing yards in sparking the Pirates to the semifinals where it lost to Loyola.
The Pirates seemed on the verge of a 14-0 season and state title the following week at Ford Field when it shot out to a 16-0 lead over Ishpeming, including a 25-yard scoring run by Smith earlier in the game. Ishpeming scored 22 straight points for the 22-16 win.
Smith finished with MHSAA season records of 3,243 rushing yards and 53 rushing TDs.
Against Ishpeming, he had 149 yards on 27 carries for 5.5 per try.
“The key was his overall work ethic and how he attacks the game and the opportunity,” P-W coach Jeremy Miller said. “He was very really resilient. The team did a great job of embracing his success and their success, as well. They celebrated what was going on with him, as being a part of their accomplishments as well. Jared is just a very humble guy. You’d never know he had the year he had last year with the way he attacked the offseason. He’s been a real leader. We’re looking for big things out of him, for sure.
“He’s been blessed with a tremendous amount of natural ability. He’s 6-foot, 200 pounds. He’s a tremendous athlete. He’s fast. His work ethic is second to none. He works hard. It’s a good mix of God given natural ability and that work ethic and vision to go along with it.”
Miller was hoping for 14 wins last season.
Maybe this year?
“I think the thing I’ll remember from last season more than anything is how resilient the team was in overcoming injuries, an unbelievable amount of injuries,” Miller said. “We didn’t start the same offensive line, I think more than two games in a row, all regular season. We kept plugging new kids into those spots and the next guy-up-kind of mentality. It all jelled together. We got some guys back healthy when the playoffs came around. That just made us stronger because a lot of those guys had playing time. They had a really special year.”
Miller spent a lot of time working with his team during the offseason.
“If you’re not getting better in the offseason, someone else will,” he said. “We try to stress that to the kids that we expect them to be there and have (the weight room) open when they want to get up there and lift.”
Many observers think this could be the year the Pirates grab the state title.
“We have a lot of guys back from that team last year and a lot of guys who, due to injuries, got a lot of playing time,” Miller said, adding that prior to a preseason scrimmage in Ithaca. “I’m interest to see how they all come together and where we’re at against quality programs like Ionia and Central Montcalm.”
But Miller’s happy he has Jared Smith on his side for another year.
“I think he’s going to have a great year,” Miller said. “We bring back some pieces on the offensive line. We’re looking for big things from him. Jared has some company in the backfield this year. We have Bryce Thelen, who actually, because of injury had to play guard and tight end for us. But I’ll tell you what, he’s very good running back and will play fullback for us. We have a sophomore, Cameron Wirth, who is with us this year and will give us tremendous depth at that tailback position.
“You’ll see a heavy dose of Jared again but he has some buddies back there with him that are very capable. We’re equally excited to see what they can do.”
Smith was moved up to the varsity halfway through his freshman season. He admitted that his didn’t quite expect to accomplish what he did.
“To put up all those yards, like that, you can’t predict that,” he said. “It all worked out. I had a great line and just a great season overall.”
But during the preseason, Smith anticipated it could be a special year.
“Just the way the line was working together, I knew we had a special line,” he said. “After the first game, it all came together. It was working great then and continued on all year.”
The Loyola game was special in 2015.
“They knocked us out the previous year and I had close to 200 yards that game,” Smith said. “Just getting to (the finals) was a great accomplishment for us. To come up short really sucked. It pushed us to work hard in the offseason. We have (18) returning starters. The experience coming back will be a huge factor. To have that many kids coming back with experience will give us a head start on anybody.”
Smith said he doesn’t feel any added pressure about this year and agrees with his coach that the Pirates have plenty of depth.
“We can pass too, so I’m not too worried about it,” Smith said.
He runs track and did plenty of conditioning during the summer and winter.
“Overall, there’s probably 30 guys in there for weight-lifting sessions every week,” he said. “We had a great turnout that wanted to come.”
Smith visited Central Michigan and some state Division II schools, plus Columbia in New York with the Ivy League.
“If I had the opportunity, I’d love to play college football,” he said. “But my main focus is on this season.”