Year of the Running Back, Spotlight on Darius Smith of CVS

The CPS is so filled with quality running backs that Smith, the state's fastest running back is getting overlooked

Darius Smith (sr), CVS - while most of the attention has been on Horatio Banks of Simeon and Brian Carter of Kelvyn Park, Darius Smith of CVS is quietly amassing a great season. I say quietly, because it's not like he hasn't accomplished anything. Last year he was an all-city running back and finished 2nd in the state in the 100 meter dash in track in class AAA with a time of 10.81 - faster even than even Brian Carter's 10.86 to take 2nd in the 100 for class AA. Smith will be the state's top returnee in the 100 meter dash.

In other words, Smith is the fastest man in the state of Illinois and yet, he hardly get's any attention.

Some of that has to do with the fact that he plays for CVS. While CVS has one of the city's greatest football tradition having won the most city champions and has had football legends like Dick Butkus and Juice Williams who led the Illini to the Rose Bowl play for the school, recently CVS has been in the rebuilding mode. CVS struggled last year with a 2-7 record.

Another factor, is that the CPS is filled with quality backs. Horatio Banks of state ranked Simeon is getting most of the attention, due to the rise of Simeon. There are talks around the state that Simeon has a legitimate chance of winning state so naturally, Banks, the starting running back deserves attention. Then there is Brian Carter of Kelvyn Park. He's only the state's leading rusher.

I got a chance to speak briefly with Smith at the Simeon/Morgan Park game. He was one of over 7,000 fans watching the top two ranked teams in the city play.

"My season as running back is going well...We {CVS} can run with them (referring to Morgan Park and Simeon)," said Smith.

I got the impression that Smith is a soft spoken guy.

But his play on the field is nowhere near soft.

"He averages about 130 yards for us," said a CVS assistant coach.

Smith shares the backfield with teammate Chris Brown. Smith and Brown had two TD's each in their 28-6 victory over Fenger last Saturday.

CVS opens conference play with undefeated and state ranked Hubbard this Thursday night at Gately.

Comments

[Kevin]

If you follow CPS running backs, you need to see Terry Baggett at Whitney Young. Terry has 15 TD's in 3 games.

[Bagett and WY vs Simeon]

Terry Bagett of Whitney Young is one of the top dual threat quartebacks in the city. He is known for being on the state runner up Whitney Young basketball team. His play on the football field has stepped up this year. He plays QB only because he is best athlete on team. Could be better as RB if he was on a different team.

He will be in full spotlight when he plays Simeon this week. A good showing there could raise his stock.

Other dual threat QB's

1 Robert Gregory of Simeon
2 Tashuan Johnson of King
3 McDowell of Orr

then add bagett

[Truth]

Ive seen Baggett and Johnson of King. I think Baggett is up there with the best of them. He scored 6 Tds last week against Hope.

Also the best line backer I have seen so far this year would be #4 from North Lawndale Prep. This young man is a STUD. I dont know his name but will find out.

[Truth]

Ive gotten the chance to see Smith play in all three games this year. While I lef their Hyde Park game overly impressed, I left the King game with many doubts. King drugged CVS to a score of 34-6 with most of the third quarter and all of the 4th left . The game was called due to lightning. King was all over him.

The arguement remains that this isn't track season. Some people are football fast, which requires great lateral movement, and being quick to spots and using angles. Carter should be the states leading rusher. One because his team sucks and he'll get more opportunities to run the ball then other backs because they will be asking him to run to save the game. Banks and even Smith can fall victim to being in blowouts where their touches will be limited.

[The Real Truth]

If you check the stats, Carter only avg 20 carries a game, and their offense hasn't scored less than 30 pts, win or loose. They are 2-1 by the way. If but for a bad defensive performance, they would be 3-0. To put up 34pts and 300 yds rushing on 23 carries and loose just doesn't suppose to happen. So your argument is without merit.

[rique]

brian carter is 11.6 yds average per carry on barely less than 20 carries a game. of those 20 carries, half of them the opposition has been stacking the line to stop him. and despite that, he still leads the state in rushing. view brian carter at one of the games, and u will know right away he is the real deal. also weigh in the factor, the kelvyn park offensive line is grossly undersized. it is amazing what he has done.

[KARLEEN]

ALL THREE OF YOU ARE FAST I WISH PEOPLE WOULD STOP SAYING MY SON IS FASTER BRIAN. HE GOOD BUT HE NEEDS ALOT WORK THERE IS ALOT OF BETTER PLAYER OUT THERE. ONE OF HIS COACH NEEDS TO TURN IT DOWN A NOTCH BECAUSE I'M GETTING VERY UPSET . GOD BLESS YOU SMITH AND BANKS.

[Truth]

Does sound like a coach promoting his player when talking about Carter cause nobody really gives a sh*t about KP football. Soccer team is not bad but mostly all of their other spots program suck.

[Truth don't know anything]

Football program in on the rise at KP- even without Carter, still an improving program.

Soccer is above avg at KP. Best team at KP by far is boys volleyball. They can play with Lane, Lincoln Park, Northside, and all the big boys.

[jaguars are back]

Julian vs. Kelly was one for the old guys- an old school mud bowl. Still the jaguars found away to over come the condition and win the game. Both teams pushed in the middle with the run game because of the mud. But when it got out the mud and the defense of Julian got its cleats in the mud it became a different game. Does anyone know that D-condinator from Julian he seems to be a good one?

[fan]

dyett ricky harris is a good back to watch also he dosent have a offensive line but has talent,hes 5'10 190