Statement Made! In undefeated WCAL clash, Smithville roughs up Hillsdale in Div. VI state-ranked win

SMITHVILLE − We all need a little inspiration at times, right?

No better time to get it than in on a huge occasion or big situation.

Smithville junior linebacker Zach Lanneaux caught a little of that inspiration before Smithville’s major Division VI clash with Hillsdale in a matchup between two 4-0 state-ranked teams. He used that on maybe the biggest defense play of the game.

With Smithville up by seven points in the third quarter and Hillsdale’s offense facing a 4th and 1 on the 47-yard line with 7:30 minutes, Falcons quarterback Kael Lewis received the snap in the shotgun and kept it on a QB keep. Getting to the quarterback rapidly to prevent that one-yard was Lanneaux, who charged at Lewis and made a key tackle stop Hillsdale’s first offensive drive of the second half and give the ball back to Smithville’s offense.

Two plays later, Smithville quarterback Brady Sidle ran for a touchdown on an option to push the Smithies lead to 14, which Smithville (5-0) would eventually go on to win 28-14 at home over two-time Division VII state runners-up Hillsdale (4-1).

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Where did Lanneaux’s inspiration come from on that play?

One of the greatest linebackers in NFL history in Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis.

“I’m gonna be honest, I was watching Ray Lewis highlights before the game,” said Lanneaux, after taking a photo with some of his teammates after the victory. “I saw that exact same play on the video and I knew it was coming. Kael pulled it. I seen it coming and I knew I had to get him.”

jamessimpson@gannett.com

Twitter/X: @JamesSimpsonII

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Statement Made! In undefeated WCAL clash, Smithville roughs up Hillsdale in Div. VI state-ranked win