INGLESIDE, Texas — It has been a historic season so far for one Ingleside football player.
A receiver for the Mustangs is breaking school records, which he already started doing last season. The one who set the records in the first place is one of the team’s current coaches.
Jaydon Smith is spending his senior season dominating opponents and besting multiple defenders as he makes his way to the end zone for a touchdown. He already broke the record for receiving touchdowns in a season last year.
It was previously set by Ingleside co-offensive coordinator and former player David McHugh. Jaydon said getting to work with him everyday is all the motivation he needs.
“It’s a luxury to have him here and to push me every day to break his own records,” Jaydon Smith said.
Jaydon has 23 receiving touchdowns and counting through this season’s first seven games. That is two more than the previous school record for a single season, which was set by Jaydon last season. Before that, the record of 18 was held by McHugh.
“Being next to him while he’s doing all the things and being able to be his position coach and help him grow doing that has been the best, you know, best part of my career so far,” McHugh said.
Jaydon is only 153 yards away from breaking another school record for the most receiving yards in a season. McHugh currently holds it, but Smith is averaging about 170 yards per game. McHugh, who played for the Mustangs from 2008-11, said he is having fun mentoring Jaydon.
“He does everything with intention," McHugh said. "And my, my thing has always been don’t forget what got you here and, and what got you here is what’s going to continue to get you to that, to that next level.”
Playing last year with a torn meniscus, Smith’s teammates and coaches said they are impressed with his work ethic to get back on the field healthy this season. Smith leads all receivers in Texas in receiving yards this season. He said working hard in practice prepares him for multiple defenders when he catches the ball in games.
“Just going 100% on everything I do, even if I’m extremely tired from running I don’t know how many routes in a row,” Jaydon said.
Jaydon plays on both sides of the ball, just like his younger brother Jordan. Jordan, a junior, has at least seven touchdowns and 400 receiving yards this season. Jordan said he is proud of everything his brother accomplished so far.
“It really just pushes me to try to be better every day, every time I come to practice. I see him doing good in games, makes me want to make a play,” Jordan said.
There has been plenty of community support for Jaydon. He said kids will call his name and take pictures with him at pep rallies. If he breaks the school record for most receiving yards in a single season, he said it will secure his spot as one of the best at the position.
“I think it’d just cement me as one of the greatest receivers to come through Ingleside and even in the area,” Jaydon said.
McHugh also played with his brother Matt at Ingleside. He said Jaydon and Jordan compete and make each other better every day.
Jaydon is committed to play football at the University of North Texas when he graduates and was recruited to play safety. Before that, he is still working to break records on the high school field.