NewsAthleticsAcademicsSoccer
Guilford, Smith prove dominance to share honor
May 31, 2007 12:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Written by Jeff Gable, Rome News-Tribune Sports Writer, published 5/27/07
If you asked any soccer coach, he or she would confess that when starting a team from scratch, they would want a dominating defender and an explosive goal scorer to build their team around.
Oh, if only a coach could draft this year's Rome News-Tribune Boys' Co-Players of the Year. In the case of Rome High senior David Guilford and Darlington junior Justin Smith, any coach would be ecstatic to have them as the building blocks of their team.
The two superstars share this year's honor after Guilford scored 30 goals and dished out 16 assists for the Wolves, while Smith led the Tigers' defense that shut out nine teams this season.
"David is certainly deserving of this honor," Rome head coach Phil Wood said of his star forward. "He probably did more this year all-around than in any previous year. If he wasn't scoring, he was putting the ball in places for his teammates to score, and that selflessness is something to be admired."
Guilford finished his career with 109 goals and 43 assists, and he set Rome records for goals in a season and in a career.
Darlington coach Kevin Ivester had equal praise for his powerful 6-foot-2 sweeper. "Justin could play any position on the field, but it was important for us to have him at sweeper," Ivester said. "I think he is by far one of the top two or three players at Darlington in the last 20 years. He'd be the first guy I pick to start a team."
Ivester was quick to list the qualities that made Smith so valuable to the Tigers, who went 13-3 this spring and won the Area 7-AA/A championship. "His first touch is always in the right place, and his calmness is important - he doesn't panic back there," Ivester said. "He doesn't just kick the ball anywhere; he always tries to play the ball to his teammates, and that often starts a counterattack for us. And he scored 10 goals himself as well."
When Wood took over at Rome for the retiring Randy Nobles this year, he knew he was inheriting a special player - after all, Guilford was a three-time All-Area performer and a two-time Player of the Year coming into his senior season. "David was willing this year to put in the time to work on what he needed to improve," Wood said. "He did what he was supposed to as a team player. Being named Player of the Year three times is a great accomplishment for him.
For all his accolades during his career, Guilford remains the same genuine player that he was a high school freshmen. "When I started out in soccer, I was the slow, fat kid," Guilford said with a laugh. "But I never stopped playing because I loved it and I loved the competition."
Smith seems to take the same, humble approach to the game - to just go out and do his job on the field. "As a sweeper, you've got to communicate well with your teammates and work together," he said. "As a defense, we definitely try to get a shutout every time. And if you do give up a goal, you just have to have a short memory and forget about it."
Smith is the son of Martha and Brooks Smith of Rome.
Other Darlington players named to the Rome News-Tribune All-Area Soccer Team include:
Cody Anderson, junior midfielder and the Tigers' leading scorer this season with 22 goals. Ivester said in addition to his knack for scoring, Anderson has great foot skills and is an exceptional passer. He is the son of RuthAnne and Todd Anderson of Kingston, Ga.
Cris Lowe, who proved to be one of the top goalkeepers in the area as only a sophomore. He helped the Tigers record nine shutouts this year, allowing only 11 goals in 16 games for a 0.68 goals-against average. He is the son of Kay and Roger Lowe of Rome.
Ford Riddle, senior stopper who teamed up with Justin Smith to make the Tigers' defense one of the best in Northwest Georgia. Ivester called Riddle, his team captain, a tenacious defender and the heart of the Darlington team. He is the son of Kandi Riddle of Rome.
Martin Schmitz-Drager, senior forward who formed a dangerous duo with Cody Anderson, scoring 21 goals this year. His speed afforded him a number of breakaway chances, and he scored at least one goal in 12 of the Tigers' 16 games. He is the son of Dr. Ralph and Cornelia Schmitz-Drager of Sollikon, Switzerland.
Honorable Mentions went to Andy Montgomery of Cave Spring and Will Orr and Jennifer Peacock, both of Rome.
If you asked any soccer coach, he or she would confess that when starting a team from scratch, they would want a dominating defender and an explosive goal scorer to build their team around.
Oh, if only a coach could draft this year's Rome News-Tribune Boys' Co-Players of the Year. In the case of Rome High senior David Guilford and Darlington junior Justin Smith, any coach would be ecstatic to have them as the building blocks of their team.
The two superstars share this year's honor after Guilford scored 30 goals and dished out 16 assists for the Wolves, while Smith led the Tigers' defense that shut out nine teams this season.
"David is certainly deserving of this honor," Rome head coach Phil Wood said of his star forward. "He probably did more this year all-around than in any previous year. If he wasn't scoring, he was putting the ball in places for his teammates to score, and that selflessness is something to be admired."
Guilford finished his career with 109 goals and 43 assists, and he set Rome records for goals in a season and in a career.
Darlington coach Kevin Ivester had equal praise for his powerful 6-foot-2 sweeper. "Justin could play any position on the field, but it was important for us to have him at sweeper," Ivester said. "I think he is by far one of the top two or three players at Darlington in the last 20 years. He'd be the first guy I pick to start a team."
Ivester was quick to list the qualities that made Smith so valuable to the Tigers, who went 13-3 this spring and won the Area 7-AA/A championship. "His first touch is always in the right place, and his calmness is important - he doesn't panic back there," Ivester said. "He doesn't just kick the ball anywhere; he always tries to play the ball to his teammates, and that often starts a counterattack for us. And he scored 10 goals himself as well."
When Wood took over at Rome for the retiring Randy Nobles this year, he knew he was inheriting a special player - after all, Guilford was a three-time All-Area performer and a two-time Player of the Year coming into his senior season. "David was willing this year to put in the time to work on what he needed to improve," Wood said. "He did what he was supposed to as a team player. Being named Player of the Year three times is a great accomplishment for him.
For all his accolades during his career, Guilford remains the same genuine player that he was a high school freshmen. "When I started out in soccer, I was the slow, fat kid," Guilford said with a laugh. "But I never stopped playing because I loved it and I loved the competition."
Smith seems to take the same, humble approach to the game - to just go out and do his job on the field. "As a sweeper, you've got to communicate well with your teammates and work together," he said. "As a defense, we definitely try to get a shutout every time. And if you do give up a goal, you just have to have a short memory and forget about it."
Smith is the son of Martha and Brooks Smith of Rome.
Other Darlington players named to the Rome News-Tribune All-Area Soccer Team include:
Cody Anderson, junior midfielder and the Tigers' leading scorer this season with 22 goals. Ivester said in addition to his knack for scoring, Anderson has great foot skills and is an exceptional passer. He is the son of RuthAnne and Todd Anderson of Kingston, Ga.
Cris Lowe, who proved to be one of the top goalkeepers in the area as only a sophomore. He helped the Tigers record nine shutouts this year, allowing only 11 goals in 16 games for a 0.68 goals-against average. He is the son of Kay and Roger Lowe of Rome.
Ford Riddle, senior stopper who teamed up with Justin Smith to make the Tigers' defense one of the best in Northwest Georgia. Ivester called Riddle, his team captain, a tenacious defender and the heart of the Darlington team. He is the son of Kandi Riddle of Rome.
Martin Schmitz-Drager, senior forward who formed a dangerous duo with Cody Anderson, scoring 21 goals this year. His speed afforded him a number of breakaway chances, and he scored at least one goal in 12 of the Tigers' 16 games. He is the son of Dr. Ralph and Cornelia Schmitz-Drager of Sollikon, Switzerland.
Honorable Mentions went to Andy Montgomery of Cave Spring and Will Orr and Jennifer Peacock, both of Rome.
