Junior quarterback Ronald Smith Jr. isn’t going to take the easy way out for Morgan Park.
He knows he can throw the ball. All season long, he has thrown the ball pretty well, in fact. But Smith sees himself as a true dual threat behind center, so it was time to get down to business.
“I’ve actually been struggling using my legs throughout the season,” Smith said with a shrug. “I really wanted to show what kind of athlete I am and that just became a huge confidence boost.
“It gave their defense two things to worry about.”
Smith made sure any worries the Mustangs had went away Saturday. He totaled 205 yards and ran for a touchdown to spark a 22-13 Public League Red Star win over King at Lane Stadium.
Junior running back Kenneth Sims
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also produced a 13-yard TD run and added a 2-point conversion run as Morgan Park (7-1, 5-0) clinched the league’s division title.Senior running back Herman Yancey broke loose for a 68-yard TD run on the first play of the third quarter and finished with 126 yards and two TDs for King (6-2, 4-1).
Smith, meanwhile, completed 12 of 18 passes for 173 yards and added 33 yards on four carries as the Mustangs advanced to play Kenwood next Saturday in the city championship game.
“I grew up with him and RJ has always been a running quarterback,” Sims said. “Morgan Park is a passing team known for receivers and he’s perfect for the role — so talented and physically gifted.
“He’s just a great kid, always in class, never in trouble. You never see him in the wrong place. He’s always exactly where you want him to be.”
Morgan Park coach Chris James showed his faith in Smith by gambling on fourth down in Mustangs territory while protecting a three-point lead with less than six minutes to play.
A 66-yard TD pass to senior receiver Travezz Jones was wiped out by a penalty, but the net yardage extended the drive. Senior running back William Smith Jr. cashed in with a 2-yard TD run.
“He makes plays when they’re there,” James said of Ronald Smith Jr. “When it’s time for us to do something, RJ makes a play. And we’ve had to battle through the last couple of games.
“That’s what he’s great at doing — just making positive things happen.”
The 5-foot-11, 181-pound Smith combines elusiveness with the ability to improvise out of structure. He has the rare ability where he appears to control the pace of the game.
His 5-yard TD run on the opening possession helped the Mustangs jump to a 16-0 lead in the first quarter.
“It was actually called a pass play but everybody was telling me to use my legs when I needed to,” Smith said. “I just took it and ran, and no matter what, I always just play my game.
“I keep my composure and just tell myself to just breathe.”
Smith’s father played running back in high school. His two older brothers were wide receivers.
“My brothers are a lot older than me, but they were a big influence and I think the reason I started playing football,” he said. “It looked fun watching them play and I just fell in love with the game.”
Smith is a dual threat in more ways than one. The self-taught electric guitarist and self-described “quiet and chill kid” finds a calming influence in music. He calls it his private therapy.
On the field, he’s a force of nature. He never backs off a spotlight that’s innate to quarterbacks. And like a musician, he knows the game is about creating rhythm and flow.
“I’m laid-back and you’ll never going to see me get agitated,” Smith said. “I’m a totally different person when I’m playing. They say pressure makes diamonds. Right now, I’m the diamond.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.