MISSION VIEJO The family football games in the Smiths’ backyard always included a cherished role that even the youngest of the kids filled.
Someone needed to snap the ball.
Cole Smith was about 7 years old when he started snapping during backyard romps with his dad, Doug Smith, a retired NFL All-Pro center with the Rams.
“We’d snap and I’d go on a (pass) route,” Cole recalled. “It’s was fun.”
Cole is still snapping footballs and on Saturday, his route will take him to another special family location.
The senior center at Mission Viejo will help lead the Diablos (11-2) into the CIF-SS West Valley Division final against Vista Murrieta (11-2) at Angel Stadium at 2 p.m.
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Scouting report: Mission Viejo vs. Vista Murrieta
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No, Cole won’t be the first Smith to play center at the stadium, once home to Doug Smith and the Rams, but that’s fine with him. He’s honored to carry on a skill that serves as a family tradition.
“I’m striving to be like him,” Cole said of his father, whom he honors by wearing Doug’s Rams jersey number, 56.
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
Cole was quick to smile this week. The USC commit nicknamed “Smithy” helped Mission Viejo rack up more than 400 yards rushing and seven rushing touchdowns in a 41-36 victory against Great Oak of Temecula in the semifinals.
Running back Rome Innnocenzi collected 314 of the yards on a steady diet of “power” and “blast” plays, old-school favorites of Diablos coach Bob Johnson.
“Best game of the year (for the line),” Cole said.
As a three-year starter, the 6-foot-3, 270-pound Cole is the veteran of the Diablos’ offensive line. Left tackle Jake Bland, left guard Zack Aylor, right guard Freddy Campos and right tackle Izrael Castellanos are all first-year starters.
Cole said the unit didn’t play together as well as it could have during Mission Viejo’s 0-2 start to the season. But once league began, the linemen found their chemistry, and it shows. In the playoffs, Innocenzi is averaging 191 yards a game.
“At the beginning of the year, we would be unsure of our calls,” he said. “Now, they’re just (made) snap, snap. We make our calls, go and execute.”
While the casual fans in the stands can’t hear him, Cole vocalizes before snaps where he plans to block. He also guides other linemen, and occasionally the fullback, based on what he sees from the defense.
It’s during those moments that he emulates his father, now an assistant football coach and teacher at Orange Coast College.
“He’s sharp,” Johnson said of Cole. “He gets it. He sees things.”
Cole’s experience at the position certainly helps. He has been playing organized football since about age 9. Because of his size and bloodlines, he was placed at center during his first Junior All-American practice with the Mission Viejo Cowboys.
By his third season, he was a full-time center.
“Born to play,” Johnson said. “You can’t find a better high school center.”
CHRISTIAN LEADER
Cole has contributed more than blocks and insightful calls to the Diablos’ playoff run.
He serves as a captain and spiritual force for a team rich in those areas. Cole leads one of two pregame prayers held in the locker room.
A member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he teams with defensive tackle Jordan Garbin for a prayer prior to the Diablos taking the field. Bland leads the team in a Nebraska football prayer that a few of the players spotted on YouTube.
Between the prayers and the bible verse quarterback Brock Johnson has inscribed into his towel, Mission Viejo appears to be a faith-filled team.
“We’ve got some real good leaders,” said Bob Johnson, Brock’s grandfather. “It’s a big makeup of our team.”
Doug, 58, also is quick to share his faith and credit others.
He calls his 14-year NFL career a “gift from God.”
Doug made six straight Pro Bowls in the 1980s but is quicker to mention his mentors for a career that ended after the 1991 season.
He credits late Rams center Rich Saul for teaching him early in his professional career. And Doug’s brother, Joe, also played center.
FATHERLY SUPPORT
Cole said he felt pressure during his youth football days to play up to his father’s legacy but those binds are mostly gone.
“I don’t usually lead with, ‘My dad was the All-Pro center,’” he said. “He’s just a humble individual who (loved) to play football, loves life and loves to teach.”
Cole will follow his father’s footsteps to USC. Doug played collegiately at Bowling Green but was an assistant coach at USC when he and his wife, Debbie, both 40 at the time, conceived Cole. The couple already had two daughters.
Doug gives his son playing tips but also focuses on proper nutrition and training. He teaches strength and conditioning at Orange Coast College.
The longtime Mission Viejo resident emerged from the NFL without having used steroids. And while he suffered a few concussions during his career, Doug also hasn’t noticed any major consequences or side effects.
“I’m doing OK,” he said. “My memory isn’t quite what it used to be but I’m 58.”
He said one of his best decisions with Cole didn’t involve a tip about snapping the ball. During his son’s first year of playing youth football, he pledged his support and tried to lessen future pressure.
“You’re my favorite football player of all-time,” he told his son.
And Saturday, back in Anaheim, the Smith legacy at center will snap on.
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
