By: Kipp Branch

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Brunswick High senior wide receiver Shawn Smith is about to embark on his final season in the Blue and Gold. The 5’11 170 pound Smith is committed to play football in 2017 for Coach Will Muschamp and the South Carolina Gamecocks. South Carolina will be getting a deep threat and great athlete in Smith once his Pirate playing days are over.

Smith will focus on primarily playing wide receiver for the Pirates in 2016, and with the rocket arm of QB Jemarious Stevens this combo will wreak havoc on opposing defensive backs and could develop into the best deep combination in region 2-AAAAAA this fall.

The Pirate passing game which struggled at times in 2015 looks to be a strength in 2016 behind a big and experienced offensive line and a strong armed QB. Smith also battled a nagging ankle injury for most of 2015 that limited him at times.

Smith who also runs track at BHS is blazing fast. I have watched him personally run a sub 4.4 forty yard dash at the Pirate practice facility on a couple of occasions in his Pirate career.

I have watched this young man develop into a darn good football player over the past four years. Over the past two years he has had play multiple positions like running back and quarterback due to injuries to other players and it has taken him away from putting up huge stats, but it has also developed him into a well-rounded football player who is versatile.

Smith had his coming out party in 2015 at Richmond Hill where his 224 yards rushing led the Pirates to an exciting victory.

He had an 80-yard TD run in the game where he split both safeties and just flat out ran away from them just like he does during track season. The win against Richmond Hill broke a long six game losing skid for BHS and Smith led the Pirates to a win against Bradwell the following week.

Smith is a quiet leader for the Pirates. When needed he just makes plays.

Brunswick has some dangerous offensive weapons in 2016, and none more dangerous than Smith who will be returning punts, kickoffs, and will line up in the backfield in special packages to get the football in his hands.

Head coach Larry Harold on Shawn Smith: “Shawn is an explosive playmaker who has been unselfish during his career and done everything we have asked him to do. He has worked hard in the weight room and has added 5-10 pounds of muscle during the offseason. We are expecting big things out of Shawn in 2016”.

Look for Shawn Smith to have a memorable senior season and be a big production guy for the Pirate offense.

Smith may arguably be the best all-around athlete in Glynn County at this moment in time. Smith will help lead the 2016 Pirates to the playoffs, and he will give opposing coaches nightmares on how to account for him in space.

It is Shawn Smith’s time to shine. I believe he will.