MATT FRYE/The Smithville HeraldSmithville High senior tailback Austin Baker runs through a big hole Friday, Sept. 26, against St. Joseph Lafayette. Baker ran for three touchdowns and threw for another in the Warriors’ 35-7 victory.
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Warriors get revenge
By Scott Tittrington
Winning a game in Week 5 of the regular season will never be confused with the ultimate goal for the Smithville High football team during its 2008 campaign.
That doesn’t mean it won’t hold a special place in the hearts of several Warriors for years to come.
Smithville did its part Friday, Sept. 26, to make Homecoming week a memorable one, running past St. Joseph Lafayette 35-7 at Warrior Field. In the process, the Warriors (3-2) rid themselves of not only the bitter taste of a 28-point loss to Maryville one week earlier, but a likewise forgettable loss to Lafayette last season.
“All those things factored in, the way the kids performed, it was a pretty special night,” said Smithville head coach Greg Smith.
In fact, the special performances were everywhere.
Start with senior tailback Austin Baker, who may be earning himself a nickname — “Touchdown Maker.”
Baker toted the ball into the end zone three times himself — on carries of 3, 10 and 12 yards — and just for good measure, threw an 11-yard scoring strike to junior wide receiver Andrew Townsend on a halfback pass early in the second quarter.
“That was fun. I used to be a quarterback,” Baker said. “I didn’t really think about it, but once I heard it in the huddle, I was like, this is going to be fun.
“The quarterback days are over, but it was nice to be able to do that again.”
Meanwhile, Baker’s backfield mate, senior Tyler Hiatt, enjoyed his own highlight-reel moment with an 80-yard touchdown run just before halftime that gave Smithville (3-2) a 28-7 lead at the break.
And not to be forgotten, senior quarterback Brent Hastings was efficient through the air, completing 4 of 7 passes for 143 yards.
All told, it added up to 419 yards of total offense for the Warriors.
Lafayette (1-4) wasn’t exactly bad at moving the ball, chalking up 306 yards of its own. The Fighting Irish just couldn’t hold on to it.
They fumbled the opening kickoff — leading to Baker’s first score — and tossed a key interception later in the first quarter to end a drive that could have tied the score and kept their hopes alive after a rough start.
Add in some untimely penalties, and it was a recipe for a rout.
“Lafayette football is going turn around when Lafayette stops beating Lafayette,” said Fighting Irish coach Paul Woolard.
Not that Smithville had any complaints, especially in the wake of last year’s 27-24 setback.
“Us seniors, that game last year was tough,” Baker said. “It was our last Homecoming as seniors.
“We wanted to go in there and return the favor from when they got us last year.”
Sports editor Scott Tittrington can be reached at 389-6632 or scotttittrington@npgco.com.
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That doesn’t mean it won’t hold a special place in the hearts of several Warriors for years to come.
Smithville did its part Friday, Sept. 26, to make Homecoming week a memorable one, running past St. Joseph Lafayette 35-7 at Warrior Field. In the process, the Warriors (3-2) rid themselves of not only the bitter taste of a 28-point loss to Maryville one week earlier, but a likewise forgettable loss to Lafayette last season.
“All those things factored in, the way the kids performed, it was a pretty special night,” said Smithville head coach Greg Smith.
In fact, the special performances were everywhere.
Start with senior tailback Austin Baker, who may be earning himself a nickname — “Touchdown Maker.”
Baker toted the ball into the end zone three times himself — on carries of 3, 10 and 12 yards — and just for good measure, threw an 11-yard scoring strike to junior wide receiver Andrew Townsend on a halfback pass early in the second quarter.
“That was fun. I used to be a quarterback,” Baker said. “I didn’t really think about it, but once I heard it in the huddle, I was like, this is going to be fun.
“The quarterback days are over, but it was nice to be able to do that again.”
Meanwhile, Baker’s backfield mate, senior Tyler Hiatt, enjoyed his own highlight-reel moment with an 80-yard touchdown run just before halftime that gave Smithville (3-2) a 28-7 lead at the break.
And not to be forgotten, senior quarterback Brent Hastings was efficient through the air, completing 4 of 7 passes for 143 yards.
All told, it added up to 419 yards of total offense for the Warriors.
Lafayette (1-4) wasn’t exactly bad at moving the ball, chalking up 306 yards of its own. The Fighting Irish just couldn’t hold on to it.
They fumbled the opening kickoff — leading to Baker’s first score — and tossed a key interception later in the first quarter to end a drive that could have tied the score and kept their hopes alive after a rough start.
Add in some untimely penalties, and it was a recipe for a rout.
“Lafayette football is going turn around when Lafayette stops beating Lafayette,” said Fighting Irish coach Paul Woolard.
Not that Smithville had any complaints, especially in the wake of last year’s 27-24 setback.
“Us seniors, that game last year was tough,” Baker said. “It was our last Homecoming as seniors.
“We wanted to go in there and return the favor from when they got us last year.”
Sports editor Scott Tittrington can be reached at 389-6632 or scotttittrington@npgco.com.