The big uglies. Yeah, you’ve heard of them, the offensive linemen that are left out of headlines, news releases, and highlight reels despite fighting tooth and nail in the trenches every Friday night. But if you ask anyone familiar with the success of Purnell Swett’s magical playoff run this season, one particular lineman has been anything but ugly.
His name is Omar Smith.
Otherwise known as a lumbering terror on the football field, the 17-year-old offensive tackle played an integral role in running back Marlin Locklear’s 1,897-yard season, including 10 games of helping Locklear eclipse the 100-yard rushing barrier.
The majority of Swett’s offense in 2007 began behind big No. 76, as Smith paved the way for the Ram backfield, separating wide-open rushing lanes and clearing paths to the endzone.
Smith, a Pembroke, N.C. native and senior at Purnell Swett High School, has been playing football since he was a 6-year-old trying to grab an opponent’s flag. He recalls this season’s trip to the third round of the state playoffs as, “something made for a movie, almost like Friday Night Lights."
The game-changing offensive tackle was awarded for his countless pancake blocks and in-your-face attitude on the football field. In 2007 Smith was awarded Two Rivers All-Conference First Team, joining six other teammates with the same recognition.
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Smith credits his parents, Barbara and Demarsh, for teaching him that discipline and hard work can lead to a successful future, both on and off the gridiron.
“My Mom and Dad are some hard-working people,” Smith said. “They’ve taught me to put education first in my life and football second. I’ll always appreciate the values I’ve learned from them.”
Camaraderie, above all else, is the reason Smith plays football.
“Everything in football depends on how well you work as a team,” Smith said. “Football is the only game that isn’t dominated by individual talent, you must work together to get the job done. Coach Heil stresses working together as a team and will not let us leave practice until discipline and togetherness is learned.”
Memorable block against AC Reynolds
Ask Smith what his most memorable play from Swett’s 10-4 season this past year and he’s quick to jump to an answer.
“Man, there is one play that sticks out that I will never forget from this year,” Smith said. “I blocked two guys from AC Reynolds on their backs on a toss sweep to the right side.”
The play Smith recalls occured during the Rams’ 22-21 first round playoff victory over AC Reynolds as the 6-foot-2 offensive tackle bulldozed a linebacker, catapulting the defensive player into another teammate.
“Coach Heil called a toss sweep to Marlin (Locklear) to my side. I knew I had to block the linebacker and I ended up putting the cornerback on the ground too,” Smith said laughing. “AC Reynolds came here and thought they could win on our field. They were cocky and I wanted to make sure I did my part to come out, play hard and win.”
College football perhaps
Although college letters haven’t been flying in by the masses to Smith, who is finishing his senior year at Purnell Swett, the cool and collected lineman does not seem to worry.
“I know what skills I have and I know I’m good enough to play,” Smith said. “Most colleges that have contacted me want to try and walk-on, letters stopped coming later on this season.”
Smith says he may enroll at Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and try to walk-on the Chanticleers’ football team in the fall.
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