2021 CTA Week 7 Football Player of the Week: Caden Smith (Franklin Regional)

Franklin Regional wide receiver Caden Smith lines up in formation during a football game.

SOURCE: (HUDL, @CadenSmith)

STUD ALERT: Franklin Regional wide receiver Caden Smith pulled in a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Connor Donnelly with 1:17 left in the fourth quarter to help the Panthers beat Greater Latrobe 41-40. The Panthers were down 41-14 at one point, but the Panthers were able to score 27 unanswered points to win the game. In the game, Smith recorded 4 receptions for 84 yards as he caught two touchdown passes. The Panthers now have an overall record of 3-5 and a conference record of 2-1.

Questions & Answers:

Your team was able to rally from 27 points down and you caught the game-winning TD pass. Take me through your team’s comeback and the way you all came together to not give up.

Caden Smith: I think a big part of our comeback was Maddox Morrison [Franklin Regional WR/CB]. He pulled off a crazy pitch to get it to Tyler Bewszka [Franklin Regional RB] for the touchdown right before halftime. That gave us momentum going into the third quarter as well as Maddox got a pick as well. After that we started taking control of the game even though we were down.

How did you celebrate after the game?

CS: Our team turned on the speaker when we got into the locker room and we all went crazy.

Your team travels to Penn-Trafford next week to take on Cade Yacamelli and the Warriors. What does your team have to do to beat that good team?

CS: I think film, work and lots of focus this week is a big key. Penn-Trafford likes to confuse there opponent, and I think if we play sound football and stay focused we can get things done.

Lance Getsy is in his first season as head coach for the Panthers as former head coach Greg Botta retired last off-season. What’s it like playing with Getsy knowing it’s his first season coaching on the team?

CS: It’s great playing with Coach Getsy. He is a really good coach and even better guy to have running things. He puts his everything into the football side of things as well the team aspect of the game.

In three of your five losses this season, your team lost by 10 points or fewer. Throughout this season, how have your coaches emphasized about the idea that finishing games is important?

CS: Our coaches are always telling us to finish whatever we are doing. Whether it is a game or a drill in practice they are always making sure we finish 100%.

How has the recruiting process been like for you so far?

CS: I’ve been talking to schools in the Patriot League and American Conference.

Throughout this entire season, what have you tried to improve on as a player?

CS: I have been trying to become as much of leader as I can be and also I have been trying to improve my game on the skill aspect too.

As a senior on the team, how would you say that you have provided leadership to your team?

CS: I try to keep our guys together and act as a family. I think it is important to have tight relationships with your teammates. I also give them some tough love at practice by having to keep things physical.

If you could see any musician in concert, who would you go see?

CS: I would go see Drake for sure. He has always been one of my favorite artists.

What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?

CS: I play three sports [football, basketball and baseball].

Brentaro Yamane: bkyamane@gmail.com and Twitter/Instagram @BYHilton13