Jerry Smith, St. Francis High School head football coach has been named the Buffalo Bills & National Guard HS Football Coach of the Week #11 after his Red Raiders beat Bishop Timon 53-8 in the Monsignor Martin Association semifinals.
"Timon is a pretty tough team," Smith said. "It wasn't as easy as the score would indicate. It was 0-0 after one quarter and we just exploded."
Timon actually moved the ball against St. Francis early in the contest, just as the Tigers did in a regular-season game between the teams. The Red Raiders won the initial meeting 42-27.
"We thought they would throw the ball," Smith said. "They tried to do that last time. We adjusted our defense to take away the pass and they came out and ran."
As the game wore on, the Raiders defense began to take over.
"We adjusted in our zone and stopped them," Smith said. "Our defense made the changes and the kids stepped up. We had an interception return for a touchdown and we made a couple of other big plays."
Akeel Lynch powered the offense as he rushed for 228 yards and two touchdowns.
"We could have kept him in, but we don't pad anyone's stats," Smith said. "Our offensive line played well but feel like they could have played better."
Alex Misterman scored on a 68-yard run and also caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Brian Melisz.
"It was a great team effort," Smith said. "The special teams played well. Everyone got in to play and a lot of kids contributed."
St. Francis will now play St. Joe's for the Monsignor Martin Association Championship in Ralph Wilson Stadium on Thursday.
"This is great for all of Western New York," Smith said. "You have, arguably, two of the best players in our area, going at it for a championship."
Lynch and St. Joe's quarterback Chad Kelly are both finalists for the Connolly Cup, awarded to the most outstanding high school football player in Western New York by the Riverside Athletic Club. Other well deserving athletes rounding out the ten finalists for the award include Okoya Anderson,Orchard Park, Martin Bailey, Kenmore West, Spencer DeCinque, Jamestown, Trent Ferguson, Williamsville South, Javon Fogan, Bennett, Alex Grace, Maple Grove, Ben Johnson, Orchard Park, and Jordan Johnson, Sweet Home.
The game is a re-match of the 2010 title game, in which St. Joe's beat the Red Raiders 49-20. The Red Raiders will have no trouble recalling the way they were trounced.
"Everybody on our team dressed for that game last year," Smith said. "There are no surprises. There is no added pressure. We expect to be playing for a championship every year."
Smith played quarterback and safety for Bishop Turner under head coach Ray Karney. He graduated in 1977 and went to Erie Community College for two years. While attending ECC, Smith worked as an assistant JV football coach at Turner.
"I did that for two years," he said. "I was the head varsity wrestling coach at Turner both years. It was a great experience. It taught me real quick about being responsible for a whole bunch of other people."
Smith then played one season at Oskaloosa College in Iowa before returning home to play for Canisius.
"I never wanted to be one of those 'coulda-woulda-shoulda' guys," Smith said. "I played outside linebacker and played a little bit. Nothing special."
One year later, in 1981, Smith started at St. Francis as an assistant coach. In 1988 he was named the head coach. Smith has compiled a record of 127-101-4 in his 23 seasons while annually playing high school powers from around the northeast.
Each week during the 11-week high school football season a committee appointed by the Buffalo Bills will select a high school football head coach as the Buffalo Bills & National Guard Coach of the Week. Each honoree will receive a $2,000 donation to their high school football program from the Buffalo Bills Youth Foundation and New York National Guard. The eleven finalists are also eligible for the Buffalo Bills & National Guard High School Coach of the Year Award where an additional $2,000 grant for their high school's football program will be given.
As a result of Smith being named the week eleven Buffalo Bills & National Guard High School Coach of the Week winner, the Red Raiders football program will be given the $2,000 awarded by the Bills and the New York National Guard.
Bills & National Guard Coach of the Week Winners:
Week 1: Steve McDuffie, Bennett Tigers
Week 2: John Faller, Sweet Home Panthers
Week 3: Dennis Gilbert, St. Joe's Marauders
Week 4: Jason Marsh, Salamanca Warriors
Week 5: Dick Diminuco, Alden Bulldogs
Week 6: Rick Tomm, North Tonawanda Lumberjacks
Week 7: Kraig Kurzanski, Williamsville South Billies
Week 8: Rich Harris, Kenmore West Blue Devils
Week 9: Jay Sirianni, Southwestern Trojans
Week 10: Gene Tundo, Orchard Park Quakers
Week 11: Jerry Smith, St. Francis Red Raiders
