Four-Year Starter Has Seen A Lot Of Changes At Freeman

Freeman brought an antiquated football offense out of moth balls this year just to take advantage of quarterback Matt Smith’s skills.

Smith, a four-year starter, has at times operated out of the single-wing, a precursor to all modern offenses.

In it the quarterback is the featured runner. He takes a direct snap, like in the shotgun offense, and all plays revolve around him.

It was an offense last used locally by former East Valley coach Bob Shill, who had great success with the single-wing in the late 1960s.

That was where Scotties coach John Custer got the idea.

“We dusted it off, thinking about the great EV running backs, largely because it is the ultimate power position,” Custer said. “We wanted to get the ball directly to Matt without running the option and still have the threat of the pass.”

Smith, at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, is accustomed to variety.

“In the four years I’ve been here, we’ve had four different styles,” he said.

He started as a freshman on special teams, was quickly moved to defense and played some running back for the Scotties in the Lewis and Clark veer.

“The first game of the season he threw me into the mix,” said Smith. “It blew me away.”

His sophomore year Smith was shifted to quarterback where he has since remained.

“As a sophomore I threw the ball a lot and didn’t run much,” he said. “Last year I ran the option. I kind of had the mindset if there’s a lane I’m going to take it, as soon as the defense steps up, I’ll pitch.”

Now he’s had to learn an offense for the ages.

“I’d never seen it in my life,” said Smith. “I thought it was kind of cool.”

So far during his career Smith has thrown 22 touchdown passes, rushed for nine and returned a fumble from his linebacker position for another.

Custer said Smith will have gained more than 4,000 yards, rushing and passing combined, before his career is through.

“We roll him, sprint him, try to create as much offense as possible,” said Custer. “He has a very strong arm and once he gets to the outside he can make a big play.”

The Scotties QB learned football at St. Mary’s School in the Valley. He was a lineman on a team that won a city championship.

Rather than play at Gonzaga Prep or Central Valley, where older brothers Jeff and Chris initially attended, Smith enrolled at Freeman where his father is a school district administrator.

“It was easier to be out here,” said Smith. “Me being involved out here made it easier on him.”

Friday’s 42-16 loss to untested Colfax prevented Freeman from gaining a share of the Northeast A League title. The Scotties can finish 5-4 with wins in their final two games.

The end result may not totally be fulfilling for Smith, he said he’s learned a little bit about football and a little bit about life from his coach.

He has had no regrets about playing at Freeman instead of in the Greater Spokane League.

“I think I could have played there,” he said, “but football is football anywhere you go. Whether it’s CV or Freeman, you’ve got to step up and smack somebody.’

Besides, he never would have been able to run and pass out of the single-wing offense.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo