Football: Terrence Smith is much more than just Oakcrest’s all-time leading rusher

By GIUSEPPE UNGARO Managing Editor Terrence Smith definitely made his mark as a high school athlete, but the legacy he will eventually leave behind at Oakcrest High School goes beyond the memorable runs, touchdowns and school records. Forget the old and tired stereotype of the selfish and entitled high school sports star. Smith — the running back and the person — earns the respect of his coaches, teammates, opponents and classmates because of the way he carries himself and interacts with others every day. Whether it is his appreciation for his family’s guidance, his quiet leadership on the football team or his strength during a dark time for the Oakcrest community, Smith has proven to be a young man doing and saying the right things for all the right reasons. “He is a leader on and off the field, in the halls at school, he’s just a great kid,” Oakcrest coach Chuck Smith said. “He is very grounded and doesn’t even think so much of himself and puts a lot of people before him. He’s just one of those kids that has the best qualities to be a leader, especially at such a young age.” Chuck Smith added: “He is a very, very great young man. He always has respect for his classmates as well as coaches and teachers. I have never heard anything bad about him in the four years he has been at Oakcrest. When he is out on the field, people feed off of him. He is vocal to an extent. He does it more by his actions, and when he gets it going it really is the pulse of our team.” Senior running back Terrence Smith has rushed for more than 2,000 yards during his career as a Falcon, but also has been an outstanding leader and role model, both on and off the field. (Glory Days Magazine photos/Dave O’Sullivan) The Falcons senior is the school’s all-time leading rusher, grabbing the top spot in the second week of the season in the team’s win over Pleasantville. When the game was momentarily stopped so Terrence Smith could be acknowledged for the record, he stood alone in the middle of the field soaking in the cheers from family, teammates and the Falcons Flock. The student fan section roared with approval. It was obvious the students were cheering the person as much as the player. “It’s was thrilling and amazing. I will stand by it every time I say it, I think we have one of the best student sections in all of South Jersey,” Terrence said. “These guys are incredible. They are rooting for us. It’s like a college atmosphere. The atmosphere they bring helps me.” The Oakcrest back feels strongly about the school community. He is thrilled that the students are not only supportive of the football team, but also of every team and student. “In my my freshman and sophomore years, you walk in, it’s dead because we were losing constantly,” the back said. “Now when they see us winning, everybody is happy and we are energetic with so much spirit. That’s always a great thing. It trickles down to other sports.” Sports is an important fabric of the high school experience, but it is just a game. Smith stepped up in a big way when tragedy struck Oakcrest over the summer. Following the death of a recent graduate this summer, the Oakcrest student body and the community came together to mourn and just be there for each other. Terrence played an important role for his class and team, his coach said. “He kind of took the forefront, leading the students out there at the memorial,” Chuck Smith said. “His showed his leadership at a very sad and adverse time.” That type of act is one of the many reasons why the senior is adored by his peers. “I would like to be remembered as a great person, not just a great athlete, but a great person,” Terrence said. “A helping person. Of course I want to be remembered for football, and track, too, because I throw the javelin. But I want to be remembered as a good guy leading the way for the younger generation.” Terrence may get the chance to do the same at the next level. He already has been offered a scholarship to Army-West Point. He has yet to commit, but wherever he goes he said he plans on playing football in college. However, Terrence still has some unfinished business left this season. He will add to his school-record rushing total in the next few months. The Falcons are still in the playoff hunt, and, of course, there is one more game against rival Absegami on Thanksgiving Day. “I’m very proud overall of the football team. I think a few of our players can play Division II or I or IAA. I think all our grades are pretty good, too,” he said. “For our school, football really sets the tone for our school year. I feel like the spirit has been there. You can see it in the school. Just walking around you see so much pride and spirit about being at Oakcrest.” The soft-spoken senior certainly has played a big part in that, and will no doubt leave a legacy that he can be proud of. Contact Giuseppe Ungaro: gungaro@acglorydays.com; on Twitter @GDgisepu [adsense]