Smith needs only 144 yards to surpass 6000 for his career
BRYSON CITY – Another Friday night in Swain County and another game where quarterback Raymius Smith is looking to pass another milestone. Smith has certainly seen his fair share of “milestone” games in his career. He enters Friday’s 2nd round playoff game with Avery needing only 144 passing yards to go over the 6000 yard mark for his career. This is his combined career at Cherokee and Swain numbers. A couple week’s back he went over 4000 for his career at Swain.
A quick check of the NCHSAA record books shows that only 29 or so quarterbacks in state history have thrown for more than 6000 yards in their career. Yeah, go back and read that sentence one more time. That puts Smith in some pretty elite company.
A quick check of that list again shows that only 2 quarterbacks from WNC appear on the list, and a third should (but doesn’t) appear. Dusty Anderson Robbinsville (2001-2003) and Heath Shuler Swain (1987-1990) are on the list. Anderson has the most passing yards with 7682 yards, while Shuler is just behind with 7098. Recently Tyler Brosius from Tuscola finished his career with 7895 yards, making him the top passer in WNC history. It appears certain that several other standouts from WNC have not had their final numbers passed along to the state. That not withstanding 6000 yards puts Smith into a select fraternity regardless of how many from WNC or the state have gone over the 6000 yard mark.
“Well we sure hope he gets there,” stated Devils head coach Neil Blankenship. “Not for the reasons most people would think, but from the simple fact that Ray has worked so hard to get here. That is what people don’t see is how hard he works to be a good quarterback and what a good person he is on top of that. This one is pretty special, it puts him in some awfully good company that is for sure.”
On top of needing 144 yards, Smith has another milestone in his sights as well, and that is total touchdown responsible for. Heath Shuler holds the WNC record with 103 touchdowns, that he ran or threw for during his career. Currently Smith is sitting on 95 and counting for his career.
Either way, the Maroon Nation, can rest easy tonight. When Smith steps under center the only thing on his mind will be figuring out a way to beat Avery and advance to next week’s 3rd round. Something the Maroon Nation knows he has become “pretty special” at doing.