Football: Terrence Smith sets school rushing record in dramatic fashion as Oakcrest improves to 2-0

By GIUSEPPE UNGARO Managing Editor MAYS LANDING — If you are going to set a school record, why not do it in electrifying fashion? Oakcrest’s Terrence Smith sprinted off-tackle down the left sideline untouched for a 37-yard touchdown run, making him the school’s all-time leading rusher while also surpassing 2,000 career yards. Smith, who finished with 96 yards and scored the game’s first three touchdowns, led his squad to a 50-16 win over Pleasantville. Oakcrest improved to 2-0 while Pleasantville remained winless at 0-3. The Falcons senior now has 2,028 yards with eight games to add to his total. Smith needed just 33 yards to pass the previous record of 1,965, set by James Jenkins, who graduated in 1995. After the record-setting run, the game was momentarily stopped so Smith could be congratulated by his teammates and presented with the game ball by Oakcrest coach Chuck Smith. With the ball raised over his head in the middle of the field, Smith soaked in the moment and cheers from the Falcons’ home crowd. “It’s a blessing. James Jenkins was a great athlete. I never got to meet him, but I’m sure he was a great running back,” said Smith, who gave the ball to his mother. “To break his record and become Oakcrest’s leading rusher is a blessing, and I have to thank all the (offensive linemen) I had all four years. The great thing about this is that this is only our second game, so I can build on my record. I just have to keep going and I’m so happy I did it front of my home fans.” Senior tailback Terrence Smith became Oakcrest’s all-time leading rusher on Friday night in a win over Pleasantville. (Glory Days Magazine photo/Giuseppe Ungaro) Smith’s first touchdown of the game came from 7 yards out after Pleasantville had a bad snap on a punt attempt. He also scored from the 3-yard line early in the second quarter to help give the Falcons a 21-0 lead. “I think we did pretty good up front. The O-line gave Terrence room to run to break the record tonight,” said Oakcrest quarterback Kendall Elliott, who ran for 100 yards on seven carries, including a touchdown, and threw for two scores. “He is a great teammate, a great friend. He’s like my brother.” “He’s incredible, a great leader, a captain and we love him,” said Jayden Britt, who hauled in two touchdown passes. “He’s a really good guy.” Elliott and Britt connected on the first play after teammate Larry Mensah recovered a fumble on the Pleasantville 19-yard line. Elliott hit Britt with a fade down the right sideline for a 28-0 lead. Elliott found Britt again late in the first half from 25 yards out to give the Falcons a 36-8 lead. The touchdown was set up by Yaier Hinton’s fumble recovery. Elliott added a 39-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter, and Naji Hart had a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown to cap the scoring. Pleasantville hurt itself with four turnovers and a handful of penalties, negating big plays. Quarterback Le’quai Athill and John Robinson scored rushing touchdowns. Robinson and Daniel Samuel added two-point conversions for the Greyhounds. Contact Giuseppe Ungaro: gungaro@acglorydays.com; on Twitter @GDgisepu [adsense]