Running Toward a Title

Opponents of Cameron Yoe know Traion Smith will carry the ball.  But stopping the 5-8, 190-pound senior running back poses a big problem.

In his two seasons as a starter, Smith has rushed for 4,610 yards and 64 touchdowns.  During this span, the running back has broken the 100-yard barrier 26 times and the 200-yard mark three times in leading the Yoemen to their second and third consecutive state championships.

“It’s been all about my lineman, basically,” he told Jason Orts of the Waco Tribune-Herald.  “I have to keep myself healthy.  I have to make sure I stay in the weight room and take care of my business.”

Smith saves some of best performances for the state title games.  As a sophomore, he captured the MVP award with 157 yards on 22 carries and four touchdowns in a 35-14 win over Wall.  Last year, he matched that performance with 123 yards on 22 carries and five touchdowns as the Yoemen downed Mineola 70-40.

“That’s hard work and dedication paying off,” he remarked to the Trib.  “When you’re motivated and positive, it should happen.”

For Cameron Yoe to achieve its fourth straight championship, the Yeomen must rely on a new quarterback, junior Jacob Smitherman.  But Smith feels fully confident his new signal caller can handle the job.

“I think he’ll do a good job,” he commented to Cody Coil of KBTX.  “He’s been doing good this summer so he should have a good year.”

Despite Smith’s gridiron success, college recruiters have not been pounding on his door or flooding his cell phone with texts.  Although he has yet to receive a single scholarship offer, the running back believes the future will take of itself.

“It is somewhat (frustrating), but I can’t worry about that,” he stated to the Trib.  “Maybe this season, they’ll come through if I have another big year.”