TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — After he hauled in a touchdown catch in the closing seconds of a 38-12 loss to McAlester last Friday, Tahlequah senior Jackson Smith could not help but think about how far he had come this season.

Smith has gone from a player who did not catch a pass in the first four games to being named the Tahlequah offensive player of the week after gaining 79 yards and a touchdown against one of the best defenses in the state, McAlester.

“It’s really rewarding,” said Smith. “I’ve been looking forward to winning the offensive player of the week award. I’m glad it was against a good defensive team.”

Smith finished the McAlester game with a career-high seven catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.

Since the loss to Stilwell in the fourth week of the season, he has caught 13 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns.

“He didn’t play a whole lot as a sophomore or junior, but he stuck with it and it has paid off,” said Tigers coach Tuffy Thornton. “He’s our go-to guy right now when we need a big play.”

The senior burst onto the scene against top-10 Tulsa Central on October 2 when he made one of the most memorable plays of the season. He pulled a Colin Scarsdale pass away from a Central defender in the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown, the first of his career.

Smith made a similar play in Tahlequah’s 51-26 win over Tulsa Edison when he pulled the ball away from the safety on a slant route and gained 49 yards. He finished the game with two catches for 86 yards.

“I know I’m going to get hit and I want to do my duty and try not to drop them,” said Smith. “It’s my job to catch the ball no matter what and that’s what I’ve been trying to do.”

In addition to taking on a bigger load in the receiving game, Smith has also taken on a leadership role for the young Tigers receivers. Other than himself, the rest of the receivers are sophomores with the exception of Blake Campbell, junior, and Gunner Luna, senior.

“He calls out all of our formations,” said Thornton. “He’s kind of the center-fielder out there making sure everybody gets lined up.”

Tahlequah closes out the season with home games against Ada on Friday and East Central on Nov. 6 on Senior Night.

“I want to beat both Ada and East Central,” said Smith. “I know for a fact that all the seniors will give it all.”

Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. for both games at Doc Wadley Stadium.