The biggest athletes are likely to be found playing football. But if anyone can prove that size isn't everything, it's Ridgeview's senior running back Darius Smith.
In his third year playing varsity coach Dennis Manning says Darius has literally grown into his role. Manning said, "It was a little tough on him being so little, the varsity guys were smacking him around a bit."
He officially stands at 5'7 but gets his playing time because of what he does with the ball. Last Friday in Ridgeview's matchup with Stockdale Darius broke free for not one but two touchdown runs over 50 yards. That ability to find the seam and break free behind his speed should come as no surprise to anyone who followed him last year. Last year he won the central section championship in the 100 meter.
That speed is something he hears about during games. He says players chirp at him when he's in saying," Hey that's the fastest dude in the valley!"
But like most backs he's ready to deflect all of his success . He credits his big offensive line and says he simply found the gaps they made. Off the field he spends time with his line, even sharing a few classes with them when they "block" for him again. "They actually do sit on side to side of me," he said.
Despite his deflection, because he ran for 4 touchdowns and nearly 300 yards rushing Darius is this week's Male Athlete of the Week.
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