St. Joseph Catholic School football coach John Baker calls Donnie Smith the ultimate team player.
“Donnie is very unselfish, and he never complains. He is a really smart football player, and he leads by example,” Coach Baker said.
Smith, a 6-foot-5 defensive end and wide receiver, has played solidly all season, and last Friday night he had one of his best games of the season in the Irish’s 53-8 road victory over St. Aloysius. On defense, Smith, a senior, made seven tackles and also deflected three passes. On offense, Smith caught his first touchdown pass of the year.
Friday’s victory improved St. Joseph’s record to 7-1 this season. The Irish, who have earned a bye in the first round of the MAIS Class 4A Playoffs, will finish their regular season this Friday with a home game against Kirk Academy.
“We are doing well because we are surrounded by a great coaching staff that puts in the right position to succeed,” Smith said.
The Irish’s ultimate goal is win a state championship. Last season, St. Joseph fell to Davod Tri-County Academy 14-7 in the state semifinals.
“We definitely want to go a little farther than we did last year,” Smith said. “I want to win a state title for this school because of how much this school has meant to me. At first I didn’t play sports when I came here in elementary school, but they got me stronger and helped turn me into the player and person that I am today.”
Smith was just one of a number of Irish players who performed well last Friday night.
St. Joseph’s Stank King scored four touchdowns to lead the Irish (7-1). Three of these were receiving touchdowns for King who finished with 157 receiving yards.
Splitting snaps with starter CJ Moore, St. Joe freshman quarterback Victor Baker had perhaps his best game of the season against the Flash. Baker completed 12 of his 17 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns.
Moore finished four of nine for 42 yards and a touchdown.
St. Joseph’s senior Kye Nelson led the Irish rushing attack, gaining 151 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns.
