Smith, Vikings savor first football state title

South Iredell’s LaChaston Smith has a tough time putting into words what the Vikings’ 2AA state championship means to him.

“There’s really not much I can say,” the Virginia-bound senior said.

Smith, the championship game’s Most Valuable Player, may not have to. He said it all on the Carter-Finley Stadium field as he ran for 152 yards and three touchdowns against previously undefeated Carrboro.

His 1-yard score with 19 seconds left in the championship game sealed South Iredell’s 30-27 win to give the school its first state title. The championship is also Iredell County’s first in football.

Vikings’ coach Scott Miller said that being part of the title run has been rewarding for him and his coaching staff.

“We took over three years ago, when all these kids were sophomores, so it’s fun to see how you can build a program and help them accomplish their goals,” said Miller.

“For that senior class, and for everyone on that team, to be able to accomplish something so great meant a lot to us.”

Smith, who was recruited by the Cavaliers as a linebacker, knew that he would have to play a bigger role this season for the Vikings, especially on offense.

He came into the year expecting to start at running back, a position he only played in seventh grade, and to even see snaps at quarterback.

Smith didn’t hesitate to play offense. It wasn’t all that different from his natural position.

“It’s simple to me,” said Smith. “If an opposing guy has the ball, hit them. And if you have the ball, score.”

His senior season didn’t start off the way he planned it. In his team’s season-opener at Lake Norman, Smith broke his fibula, forcing him to sit out six games.

After nearly two months away from the field, Smith admits that it took some time for him to get back into a rhythm.

“When I came back, boy, I was so out of shape,” he said.

After returning in Week 8 against Valdese Draughn, Smith only had seven reps at running back in the next four games – the last in the regular season – to account for 69 yards and two touchdowns.

During that span, Smith mostly played his natural linebacker position, where he recorded 29 tackles and two interceptions.

As the playoffs started, something seemed to click in Smith.

“He could have laid down after he got hurt, but he decided to get himself focused when we got in that deep run in the playoffs and he really helped us out,” said Miller.

Playing almost exclusively at running back, he dominated against West Lincoln in the first round of the postseason.

Smith had 191 yards and seven touchdowns on only 13 carries to lead the Vikings in a 69-15 win.

He followed that up with 84 yards against Pisgah, 136 yards and three touchdowns against Bandys, and 95 yards and two scores in the come-from-behind regional final win over Salisbury.

“I didn’t want to go to college and have any regrets,” said Smith. “I didn’t want to look back and be that person who took a play off. I wanted to help this team win.”

Capping that run off with MVP honors at the title game was the perfect ending for Smith’s high school career.

“It’s definitely one of my highest accomplishments,” he said. “Not many players get to do it. Being one of those players, and the first one from here, is big.”

Smith is quick to give credit to his teammates – everyone from the Vikings’ linemen to quarterback Davin King, the championship game’s offensive player of the game, to Michael Fisher, South Iredell’s defensive player of the game – for the team’s success.

Smith will play in the Shrine Bowl Saturday in Spartanburg, S.C., before enrolling early at Virginia next month. Although his football future seems bright, Smith said he’ll always be proud of his year’s championship.

So will his coach.

“It’s something nobody will take away from us. All 55 players, the coaches, the ball boys, the student athletic trainers,” Miller said.

“It’s something we all accomplished together. It’s something we can take with us for the rest of our lives.”