Football: QB Trae Smith continues taking steps toward success
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
It’s the second season as a starting quarterback for Birmingham senior Trae Smith, and each practice and each game are invaluable for an athlete still learning the position.
You can see he has some ability but also inexperience. He’s still learning the nuances, instincts and decision making that goes with playing quarterback. But he’s one tough quarterback.
On Friday, Birmingham had an intrasquad scrimmage, but several key players were missing. Only in the City Section do players head off for a camping trip in the middle of August.
Smith did his best trying to lift the offense.
Coach Jim Rose is pleased with the progress of his team, especially during a tough week of practice when it was hot and the players engaged in a lot of running for conditioning purposes.
The Patriots, favored to win the West Valley League, open their season on Aug. 24 at home against Banning.
Rose said he has his best group of incoming freshmen in many years, including running back Sterling Salguero, quarterback Ryan Mendoza and 6-foot-4 tight end Kobe Johnson.
-- Eric Sondheimer