Aug 10, 2016 By Eleanor Bailey 6 min read

Alex Smith regrets only one thing about his career at Keystone Oaks High School. Initially, he exhibited little interest in his class work. However, he demonstrated a penchant for football. After a lackluster first year, academically, Smith made a commitment to being a better student-athlete.

“Back in my freshman year, I wasn’t thinking about football,” Smith said regarding the impact academics has on recruiting. “I decided then to do something with my life.”

Since hitting the books, he’s owned a 3.5 GPA. That evened out his overall number to 2.85 and opened the door for college recruitment. Currently, Duquesne, Robert Morris and Bucknell universities are interested in Smith, who ranked eighth in the WPIAL for passing in 2015.

“I wish I could go back. That is my one huge regret,” said the 17-year-old rising senior. “But I do have offers and I’m lucky to have them.

“If I had advice for others, it would be to start off strong,” he added. “That way, later in high school, you have room to mess up. We can’t be perfect all the time, so you need to allow room for error.”

Smith made no mistake when he heeded his father’s advice to become a quarterback. When he first started playing football in the fourth grade, Smith considered being a running back. “My dad said, ‘You have the head for it (quarterback),'” said Smith with a wry laugh. “I’m glad I listened to him for sure.”

Tyler Smith saw something in his son that Greg Perry has tweaked into potentially the best quarterback to come out of Keystone Oaks. The young Smith already owns a few school records and the Dormont resident is poised to shatter the career record held by Kobe Phillippi. He needs over 1,000 yards. That’s not a significant amount considering Smith threw for a school-record 2,027 yards as a junior.

Smith doesn’t consider the number to be “significant.” Neither does Perry. He anticipates Smith throwing for somewhere between 2,500 and 3,000 yards this fall. “It’s not absurd to think he can throw for that,” Perry agreed.

“Alex can be an elite player in the WPIAL. He has grown up and matured. It’s his second year running the offense so his experience for us is pretty high. And besides, Perry added, “Most of my quarterbacks have progressed to be the best in the league.”

Perry, whose protégés included Pittsburgh Steeler Bruce Gradkowski, also acknowledged that Smith’s physicality and knowledge prove added positives. Smith is “a legitimate” 6 feet, 4 inches tall, “athletic” and “knowledgeable” about all aspects of the game. Smith, who threw for 16 touchdowns, ranked as KO’s second-leading rusher last season, rambling for 533 yards and 10 additional scores.

“Alex can get out of his own way under pressure and strike a target,” Perry said. “He makes plays look good after they have broken down. He can do so many different things. Alex also has ability with his legs. When you have a quarterback that can do both (throw and run), it makes it hard for team’s to defend.”

Through hard work, Smith sharpened his skills, thus making him difficult to defend. In addition to excelling at passing camps, Smith practiced from 9-11 a.m. Sundays at Dormont Stadium with Perry and different quarterbacks from other schools. Smith also labors with his receiving corps, which features veterans Nick Hrivnak (37 receptions for 584 yards and five scores) and Dylan Knorr (33 grabs for 497 yards and five TDs).

“We practice pass routes. We work on passing,” Smith said. “You never stop working on passing.”

Smith recognizes that he does possess talent. However, he knows that it must be honed.

“I’ve been told that I have natural ability but you have to work on things or you’ll never get better. There isn’t a time that you just sit still. You have to be proactive. Do drills and stay upbeat. A positive attitude is always helpful.”

Having talented men up front is always helpful to a quarterback. In addition to having seasoned receivers and running backs returning, Smith will enjoy plenty of protection, particularly from veteran blockers, some of which have three years of experience.

Those factors play to Smith’s strengths, which are his ability to stay in the pocket and throw as well as run on offense. “I’m comfortable with what we have up front. Those guys are all working hard and they enable me to be patient. I have more time to look down field.”

As a senior, particularly one that calls the signals on offense and will punt on defense, Smith is expected to provide leadership for the Golden Eagles. Smith embraces his role as captain.

“I want to be able to lead the team,” he said. “Last year, we didn’t lose games by much. So, I want to keep us in there and keep my teammates focused on our goals.”

Smith’s personal goals are breaking the school and “maybe” WPIAL record for passing. As for the team, he plans to guide the Golden Eagles to their second straight playoff appearance. Last year, KO finished 5-5 and lost to eventual champion, Aliquippa, in the playoffs.

“I want to be a better player than I was the year before and I want the team to have a fun year. Get to the playoffs. Win a game. Win a championship,” he added. “That would be nice.

“With what we have, there is a good possibility to achieve all those goals. I have teammates that trust me and I try to do my best to help them. I’m excited about the season. I can’t wait.”

Smith is also thrilled for the future. Because of Perry, he says that he has opportunities to play at the next level. Duquesne and Robert Morris have offered and Bucknell has shown interest.

“I feel blessed that Greg came over to our school,” said Smith of Perry, who crossed McNeilly Road from Seton-La Salle to coach at his alma mater. “Without him, I would not be where I am today. He’s helped increase my accuracy and power. With him, it’s all business. Be perfect as possible. No mistakes,” he added.

For Smith, that mistake thing, he corrected some time ago.