‘I know how fast I have to play.’ Merced running back has been explosive this season
One of the most important things Merced High running back Chase Smith learned playing last year is the speed of the game.
How quickly he has to hit the hole. He fast opposing defenders are coming after him. “I know how fast I have to play,” Smith said.
Anyone who has watched the Bears play this season knows Smith can be a blur, often playing faster than most of the players on the field.
The Merced junior displayed that speed last week by rushing for 213 yards and four touchdowns in the Bears’ 44-7 win over Atwater in Santa Fe Bowl 52.
Smith will again play a key role on Friday night when Merced (2-3 overall, 1-0 Central California Conference) hosts Patterson (4-1, 1-0 CCC) in a conference showdown at Cathie Hostetler Stadium.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
Merced and Patterson came into this season as the heavy favorites to win the CCC championship. Golden Valley will likely have a say after the Cougars 4-0 start.
“I’ve always said you have to beat the champion to be champions and Patterson is the champion,” Merced coach Rob Scheidt said. “Last year it felt like our game was going to be for the championship and it ended up that way. We were right there at the end.”
Early turnovers forced the Bears to play from behind last year against Patterson in a 48-39 loss. Both teams made deep playoff runs with the Tigers reaching the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III semifinals and the Bears earning a trip to the Division IV championship game.
“Last year we made a lot of mistakes early in the game,” Smith said. “If we can limit those mistakes this time we’ll be OK.”
The Bears should be ready for big games. Not only did the returning players make the deep run in the playoffs last year but Merced faced a gauntlet early on this season playing teams like Central Catholic, Downey and Monterey Trail.
“I think it prepared us a lot,” Smith said. “We played some really tough teams in the beginning of the year. We know what to expect and how to prepare.”
Smith has more than earned Scheidt’s trust with big games against Atwater, Central Catholic and Gregori this season.
“I can’t give him the ball enough,” Scheidt said.
Scheidt says Smith has all the qualities of the great running backs that have come through Merced with his speed, elusiveness and vision.
Scheidt says playing up at varsity as a sophomore has only helped Smith this year.
“In our system the running back has to know everything,” Merced coach Rob Scheidt said. “Him coming up and playing offense and defense last year, the game just looks easy for him right now. The less kids have to think on the field the more their athletic ability can shine.”
Smith worked hard this offseason to prepare for a bigger load this season. He would work out with his dad and friends.
He’d switch off between running back and defensive back drills each Sunday.
“I like playing running back a lot but I think at the next level I’ll play DB,” Smith said. “I’m not sure I have the size to play running back at the next level.”
Scheidt isn’t as sure.
“They’re all big at the next level,” Scheidt said. “It comes down to what a team needs from that position and where recruiters project him to be at. What I’ve told him is stand out on both sides of the ball and let the recruiters figure out where to use him.”
Friday’s Games
Patterson at Merced
Sierra at Golden Valley
Buhach Colony at Central Valley
El Capitan at Atwater
Los Banos at Davis
Lathrop at Pacheco
Ripon at Hilmar
Livingston at Hughson
Waterfor at Le Grand
Gustine at Denair
Mariposa at Delhi
Stone Ridge Christian at Summerville
Chowchilla at Dos Palos
