Midland’s Austin Smith emerges as state’s leading rusher

CEDAR RAPIDS — Midland football coach Casey Hack tried telling people, but you couldn't blame them if they were incredulous.

You got so used to Air Midland. Switching to Ground Midland didn't seem plausible.

Even if Austin Smith was on the roster.

'People thought I was crazy going into the season (and) telling them we would be going from leading the state in passing last year to leading the state in rushing this year,' Hack said. 'But I really believed that, with that line that we have and the selflessness of our players. I always knew, we always knew, that Austin was a great player.'

Smith has had a great season, no denying that. The senior running back leads the state, regardless of class, with 2,533 yards rushing going into Midland's 8-Player quarterfinal playoff game Friday night against Tripoli.

He has 500 more yards than the next guy, Williamsburg's Gage Hazen-Fabor, and his 43 rushing touchdowns are 12 more than Remsen St. Mary's Canaan Cox, who is number two in that department. Midland actually ranks second to Sidney in 8-Player rushing yards, but that's picking nits since the difference is a mere 46.

The Eagles rode quarterback Alex Martens and a prolific passing game to last year's 8-Player semifinals. The offensive approach has been different in 2017, yet just as successful.

'It has changed a little bit, but it's also stayed the same a little bit,' Smith said. 'We had so many skill guys last year. We showed glimpses of our run game last year, but we passed so much because we had skill guys to spread the ball out to. This year, we've just continued with our run game, and that's been working every game, I guess.'

Hack pointed out that Smith rushed for 1,200 yards a year ago, so this massive season isn't coming from nowhere. Midland runs out of a 'T' formation most of the time, with Smith also having the ability to throw.

He has completed 19 of 26 passes for 396 yards and five TDs. He also has caught five touchdown passes from sophomore quarterback Britan Martens.

Add two-point conversions in there, and Smith has accounted for a whopping 344 points, which leads the state by a wide margin. He has accounted for 63 percent of his team's points this season.

Incredible stats, whether he looks at them or not.

'I try to stay away from that stuff,' Smith said, with a smile. 'I glance every once in awhile, just to see where I'm at. It's cool to see, I guess. But I try and stay away from the social media.'

Midland comes into this game with an 8-2 record, to Tripoli's 9-1. Both teams have a loss to top-ranked Don Bosco, with Midland also falling to Baxter, 70-66.

The winner moves on to next week's semifinals at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

'It looks like one of those games where if you don't make turnovers and don't make a lot of mistakes, the team that plays a cleaner game probably wins,' Hack said. 'We really pride ourselves on winning that turnover battle. We practice it every day, we're a physical team, so we're looking forward to the opportunity to play Friday night.'

'Last year, I think we were just satisfied getting to the Dome,' Smith said. 'This year, we want to go all the way.'

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