Smith Jr. just wants to improve

Onterrio Smith Jr. entered Friday's game against Del Oro with 289 receiving yards in seven games. By the time the game ended, Smith Jr. was one long catch away from matching that number, as he finished the game with a career-best nine catches for 210 yards and one touchdown. Following the best game of his career, Smith Jr. improved his season statistics to 30 catches for 499 yards both second-best on the team behind Rico Flores Jr., and 4 touchdowns, third-best behind Mason Norberg and Flores. "Onterrio is a great kid, and had the game of his life," Folsom coach Paul Doherty said. "Onterrio is an incredibly smooth athlete and football player and I think that is an underrated attribute. He's a natural catcher of the football. He can catch the ball over the middle or he can catch the deep ball. I imagine his best days playing football are ahead of him." When asked about his big game, Smith Jr. shrugged it off and said he needs to improve. "I'm cool with how I played," he said. "I had a drop and another ball I should have caught. In a big game, we're going to need those." Folsom Telegraph: What are your hopes/plans after graduating high school? Onterrio Smith Jr.: I will enter college and play football, but also focus on my end goal of being a realtor and stockbroker. FT: Do you have any scholarship offers? From where? Are you hoping to play football in college? OS: I have a couple offers in the works with a few schools and hope to play college ball next year. FT: Do sports run in your family? OS: Everybody in my family loves sports even more than me, which is the funny part. FT: How long have you been playing football and how did you get your start in it? OS: I started when I was 5 because my dad wanted me to test it out and I ended up loving it. FT: You're dad was a star running back. Can you tell us one big thing he's impressed upon you about football/life? OS: He always tells me to do more work and to stay focused. FT: What do you like about playing in this Folsom offense? OS: Folsom's offense is the perfect fit if you want to play wideout or any skill position because of the schemes Coach Doherty cooks up. FT: Have you set any goals for yourself this season? OS: I haven't set any goals other than win state. FT: You had the best game of your career on Friday. How exciting was that for you? OS: It was overall fun and exciting other than the turf burns. FT: What's your favorite subject in school? OS: Favorite subject at the moment would have to be forensics because it's crazy how you can get found with little evidence. FT: What's your favorite type of music or artist? OS: My favorite artists will have to be Yeat and Lucki and favorite genre is pluggnb. FT: Favorite book or movie? OS: My favorite book/manga of all time is definitely One Piece. FT: Favorite food? OS: I have to go with Mexican food in general. FT: Do you have any pets? Tell us about them? OS: I don't have any but plan on getting one very soon because my grandparents' pets are truly amazing. FT: Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time? OS: In my free time I'm being a professional Madden player or sleeping. FT: What inspires you in sports? OS: Myself truly. Some people might think my Dad, but I inspire myself and Justin Jefferson inspires me a little bit. FT: Is there a particular job or profession you'd like to have some day? OS: Becoming involved with real estate and stocks.