Athlete of the Week: Trion QB Kade Smith

This week’s Athlete of the Week honors brought to you by Jim Aaron’s Summerville McDonalds go to Trion Football’s Kade Smith. 

Trion quarterback Kade Smith continues to impress as the Bulldogs remain undefeated at 5-0. In their recent 50-21 victory over LaFayette, Smith was unstoppable, going 17-of-21 for 304 passing yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 51 yards on seven carries, scoring another three touchdowns on the ground.

Bulldog Head Coach Sean Patrick praised Smith’s performance: “Kade is a really good player. He’s like having a coach on the field. He has such a good understanding of what we are trying to accomplish offensively. He did such a good job of getting us in the right play and distributing the ball where it needs to go. He’s worked so hard and is completely deserving of the success that he’s having.”

With another big game looming against Robbinsville, N.C., AllOnGeorgia reached out to Smith to discuss his mindset, leadership growth, and the camaraderie that sets this team apart.

Kade Smith, Trion Football

Q: How did you change your mindset at halftime? (After a close first half, Trion outscored LaFayette 22-0 in the second half)

Kade Smith: Honestly, I didn’t change my mindset at halftime. I kept it the same as it was at the start of the game. I focused on completing a full four-quarter game with as few mental mistakes as possible. Our offense had a solid first half, except for the one drive we punted on.

Q: Being a senior, how do you feel you’ve progressed as a player and a leader?

Kade Smith: I’ve grown not just physically but mentally as well. Being the starting QB for the last three years has put me in many different situations, and I’ve learned how to handle them. Now, I try to pass that experience down to the younger guys, helping them understand what to do in those moments.

Q: This Friday, the Bulldogs aim to remain perfect at 6-0 while you seniors look to secure their 36th career win, making y’all the winningest class in Trion Football history. Tell us about that:

Kade Smith: We’ve been fortunate to win a lot of games while I’ve been here, and it’s a great honor to be in this position. But for us, it’s about staying focused on winning one game at a time. Our ultimate goal is winning the region and, ultimately, the state title.

Q: You made history last Friday as the only quarterback in Trion’s history to pass for over 300 yards in a game, and now you have done it twice, 302 against Gordon Lee and 304 against Lafayette. How does that make you feel? 

Kade Smith: It’s definitely an honor to have that record, but it’s not just about me. My O-line and receivers did a fantastic job; without them, none of that would’ve been possible. It was a team effort, and I’m blessed to have that success.

*Smith broke the 1,000-yard season mark in the Lafayette game.

Q: How do you and the team focus on winning rather than the accolades?

Kade Smith: We focus on doing our jobs and winning games. The accolades will take care of themselves. Our mindset is always about the next play, the next game, and what we need to do to improve.

Q: What has been your favorite high school football moment or game?

Kade Smith: My favorite moment has to be from my freshman year when I played on the varsity team for the first time. I was able to lead the team down the field and throw my first touchdown pass to Daegen Vaughn. I’ve had a lot of great memories with my teammates, but that one sticks out the most.

Q: What makes this team special?

Kade Smith: The camaraderie is what sets this team apart. We’ve been playing together since we were little, and that bond has only grown stronger over the years. That’s what separates us from other teams—we’re not just teammates, we’re family.

As Smith and the undefeated Trion Bulldogs prepare for another important matchup against Robbinsville, N.C., here’s what Coach Patrick had to say about the team: “Robbinsville is a powerhouse program in North Carolina. They have won 15 state titles (most recent in 2019) and 27 region titles. They finished the 2023 season with a record of 13-2. They are really well-coached and good at what they do. We have to do an excellent job of executing and matching their physicality. It’ll definitely be a challenge for us.”