Preseason All-SMC Teams and Awards

We are inching closer to flicking on those Friday night lights here in the mountains. Teams have had their first practice in full pads, and some will be taking the field for their first scrimmage this Friday night.

Let’s take a look at our Preseason All Smoky Mountain Conference team so you can familiarize yourself with some of the names we think you’ll be hearing over the PA in a few weeks.

Preseason All SMC

Preseason Player Of The Year-

Cameron Clem, JR, Murphy

Preseason Offensive Player Of The Year-

Tre Graves, SR, Hayesville

Preseason Defensive Player Of The Year-

Isiac Collins, SR, Robbinsville

Preseason Lineman Of The Year-

Drew Scaggs, SR, Swain

Preseason Athlete Of The Year-

Ryan Payne, SR, Murphy

1. Brady Grant, SR, Murphy

Grant will lead the Bulldogs for the third consecutive year under center. Last year, the rising Senior QB threw for 1,300 yards and 11 TDs, while rushing for 313 yards and 5 TDs.

2. Luke Lovin, SR, Robbinsville

Lovin will experience baptism by fire as he becomes the starting QB for the Black Knights in his Senior campaign. Having only thrown seven passes in his Varsity career, Lovin will have a lot to learn, but from what I have seen from him this summer, he seems to have that “it” factor that it takes to be the leader of the Knights.

1. Cameron Clem, JR, Murphy

Clem, the SMC’s leading rusher in 2024, will be the cornerstone of a potent Bulldog offense in ‘25. I see a 2k yard season for the Junior on the horizon as long as he is able manage the volume of snaps he’ll be seeing on both sides of the ball.

2. Tre Graves, SR, Hayesville

Another returning 1,000+ yard rusher in the SMC, Graves is primed and ready to eclipse the century mark once again. All signs point to Hayesville having an inexperienced signal caller to start the season, so Graves will have to lead the team from the RB position.

3. Zeke Glaspie, SR, Swain Co

The Maroon Machine struggled last year, and it will be up to Senior back Zeke Glaspie to make sure things are different in 2025.

4. Isiac Collins, SR, Robbinsville

Collins was a beast on defense from the Linebacker position last season, and saw quite a few snaps from the Tight End position. His transition to the backfield should be seamless, and his bulldozing frame should be a guaranteed 3 yards and a cloud of dust for the Knights.

1. Ryan Payne, SR, Murphy

The SMC’s leading receiver in 2024 returns for his final year in 2025. Payne has packed on the muscle this offseason and maintained his speed, so if he and Brady Grant can find their rhythm through the air then he could be an All-State kind of player.

2. Javin Garcia, SR, Cherokee

It will be interesting to see who lines up under center for the Braves in a few weeks, but whoever it is will have the sure hands of Garcia waiting for them outside the numbers.

3. Corey Stillwell, SR, Swain

Stillwell is an explosive player for the Maroon Devils, and his production should increase due to more experience at the QB spot in ‘25.

4. Ben Bethel, SR, Hayesville

Hayesville will use Bethel to keep the running lanes open for Graves on the ground. With the graduation of Michael Mauney, Bethel should see more opportunities.

1. Janthony Gooden, SR, Murphy

2. Rayland Martinez, SR, Hayesville

3. Drew Scaggs, SR, Swain

4. Landen Lape, SR, Murphy

5. John Dominguez, SR, Robbinsville

1. Kasen Buchanan, SR, Robbinsville

2. Camden Breazeale, SR, Murphy

3. Gabe Aguilar, JR, Andrews

4. Will Brown, SR, Hayesville

5. Jude Pinkerton, JR, Murphy

1. LaDannien Rattler, SR, Andrews

2. Brody Orton, SR, Murphy