By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
ST. PAUL, Ore.– Back on Friday, following their 61-0 victpry over Regis, longtime St. Paul Head Coach Tony Smith reached an impressive milestone in his legendary career:
Winning 200 career games.
St. Paul has been a special place points Smith, who’s been Head Coach with the Buckaroos for the past 18 years after stops at Willamina and Silverton prior to arriving to St. Paul in 2008. Smith credits the success mainly on the program and the community itself as the 2A State Playoffs start this week.
He knows the history of the program. From their first season in 1939, their first playoff appearance in 1948. Seven State Championships, three won by Smith as Head Coach in 2009, 2010 and last season. Matching that of his mentor Pete Popoff, who won State Championships in 1984, 1991 and 1992.
And though the wins are great, the State Championships and the milestones like victories are awesome as well, but there’s a sense of honor, points Smith that they are developing young adults into some amazing people once they are done playing for him, his staff and graduate from St. Paul once their time is over.
“We feel honored to coach and work in a place that prioritizes young people. A community that supports not just football but all their sports teams and the entire school system. While working here at St. Paul as a teacher, AD, Principal, and coach,” starts Smith. “I’ve worked with some amazing people. Our football staff, now and in the past, puts in so much time and effort, it makes what I do as the Head Coach just a small part of our overall success.
“I feel very fortunate to have had the career I’ve had, but none of it would have been possible without an amazing wife and family that has supported me over the years. I’ve also had great mentors like Pete Popoff, who won over 100 games at St. Paul and three State Championships. I’m just a really lucky guy who gets to do what he loves, and I feel blessed every single day.”
St. Paul opens the 2A State Playoffs on Friday against Gold Beach with kickoff slated at 7pm at the St. Paul Rodeo Grounds.
