Smithfield-Selma looks to continue building its culture

By Randy Capps

SMITHFIELD — Deron Donald’s first season in charge of the Smithfield-Selma football program began with his Spartans snapping a 10-game losing streak which dated back to 2019 with a pair of wins over Western Harnett and North Johnston, and a renewed sense of optimism around the program.

Five straight losses to close the campaign led to a 2-5 mark, but considering the fact that the Spartans graduated only eight seniors and return 13 starters, things are looking up on Durwood Stephenson Parkway.

“It’s really establishing a culture, I think,” he said. “Getting those guys to learn how to work in the weight room, understanding what we want to do as we build our pillars. Getting those guys to learn how to win. Even though we went 2-5, if you look at those games, three of the five we lost, we were in those games.

“If the guys buy in and do what they’re expected to do, we can be successful.”

Measuring that success will be a bit different for Smithfield-Selma this fall as it finds itself in a new conference with C.B. Aycock, East Wake, Fike, Hunt, Southern Wayne, South Johnston and West Johnston.

“Well, we lose the big two in Cleveland and Clayton,” Donald said. “Like I always say, we’re not afraid to play anybody, but we understand ... we don’t have the numbers that some of those schools have. So, I think by going into a true 3A conference, I think that’s going to be better for us because it will be more even in terms of numbers. I think it’s going to be a very competitive conference, and we’re excited about it.”

Eight of those 13 returning starters are on the defensive side of the ball, and Michael Thompson, Jaylen Stancil, Joshua Hightower and Jalil Howell provide a good core group for the Spartans.

“Those guys really played good ball for us last year, and I think they’re going to have a big year for us this year,” Donald said. “And the thing about those guys is they’re all going to be juniors.”

On the other side of the ball, the Spartans return their two most important players in quarterback George Brewer and running back Clevonte Watson. Brewer threw for almost 600 yards and seven touchdowns in the spring while Watson had a 300-yard game to his credit against North Johnston en route to piling up 742 yards and 10 scores on the ground.

“Those two guys are two that we’re really going to be counting on,” Donald said.

With a normal offseason of work, a more forgiving schedule and a year to implement his ideas, Donald is looking for even more growth from the Spartan program in his second season at the helm.

“We want to win more games,” he said. “That’s the goal. But I want to see improvement with the guys, and I want to see their game go up to another level. I want our coaches to take their game up a level, and when people see us play, I want them to say, ‘that’s a well coached, hard nosed, tough, gritty football team’ in every area. Offense, defense, special teams, I want to do everything with a spirit of excellence. And if we do that, that’s going to carry over to the win column.”

Schedule

Aug. 20 at Princeton

Aug. 27 at Nash Central

Sept. 2 North Johnston

Sept. 10 Bye

Sept. 17 South Johnston

Sept. 24 Hunt

Oct. 1 at Fike

Oct. 8 West Johnston

Oct. 15 at Southern Wayne

Oct. 22 C.B. Aycock

Oct. 29 at East Wake