With Jackson Smith in action, these are fast times at Walton-Verona High School

When it comes to the all-important quarterback position, many high school football teams possess a pocket passer who can carve up a defense through the air. Other teams run out a rush-first quarterback who can ramble for chunks of yardage at a time. Others deploy a dual-threat QB, who can both pass and run with aplomb.

And then there are the Walton-Verona Bearcats. They roll out 6-foot-3, 180-pound senior Jackson Smith, one of the scariest high school quarterback types around, a left-handed dual threat with good size and tremendous speed.

“He can throw the football, and he can definitely run it. If he gets ahead of you, you won’t catch him,” Walton-Verona coach Jeff Barth said. “He’s maybe the fastest quarterback in Kentucky.”

These are fast times at Walton-Verona High School. The Bearcats won their first Class A boys track-and-field state championship in June, thanks in large part to Smith, who captured three state titles with impressive velocity. He won the 100-meter dash in a time of 11.07 seconds, took the 200 meters in 22.18 seconds and ran a leg on the winning 800-meter relay team. At the state indoor meet, Smith won titles in the 200 meters and 60 meters, which he finished in 7.23 seconds. He has clocked a swift 4.41-second 40-yard dash.

Smith combined his rare speed and emerging passing ability during his first starting football season as a junior to make plays that made fans’ hearts race. Right when defenders felt he topped out, the lefty found another gear, often giving the Bearcats’ offense instant gratification.

“If he hits a crease, he could be gone,” Barth said. “He knows how to make plays and keep them going.”

There were the brisk 128 rushing yards in the season-opening win over Scott, for instance. There was the immediate 72yard touchdown run when he blew past everybody in a blur against Newport Central Catholic. The hasty 127 rushing yards against Boone County. The snappy 42-yard

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scamper for a score against Carroll County. The four total touchdowns accounting for all the scoring in a 28-0 win over Shawnee. The zippy pair of passing TDs in the Class 2A first-round playoff win over Newport.

“I think the best thing about it is when a play isn’t there,” Smith said of his game-changing speed. “I can always tuck it and run and get some good yardage.”

Smith finished 12 yards short of joining the exclusive 1,000/1,000 club last season with 1,028 yards rushing and 988 passing. He threw 13 touchdowns, helping the Bearcats finish 9-3. He scored nine times on the ground for a hand in 22 total TDs while averaging an expeditious 7.1 yards per carry.

This year, get ready to witness more quickness, which would make Smith absolutely lethal. He’s working quicker through his progressions and letting it rip on the run while using his agility and elusiveness to remain upright.

“I think we’ll do more passing. It’s definitely much needed because we do have some really good receivers,” Smith said. “I’ll do whatever it takes. I’ll pass. I’ll run. I’ll do anything.”

Not too many teams have their own action figure. The Bearcats have Action Jackson. But, of course, he’s a real live human being who just wants to win the fastest way possible — now.

“Jackson’s a great athlete. He’s difficult to defend because of his speed,” Barth said. “And a great young man, a good person. Our team will really look to him this year.”

Opposing defenses better not blink or they’ll miss the fleet-footed Smith. Walton-Verona’s greased lightning in a bottle is ready to rev things up after rapid off-season growth accelerated his learning curve.

Smith was invited in the spring to the 2023 Elite 11 Regional, a premier event in Mississippi that selected only the most outstanding underclass quarterbacks. Athletes participated in a five-hour curriculum that included testing and position-specific instruction by top coaches.

Smith also worked out at a camp at Notre Dame, where he made a game visit. He also made a game visit to the University of Kentucky. It is part of a growing list of college teams that are interested in him either as a football player or for track-and-field. Smith already has a football offer from Kentucky Wesleyan.

The future is bright for Smith. But the road is brutal in 2023. With realignment, Walton-Verona has new and formidable Class 2A, District 5 mates in defending state champion Beechwood (14-1 last season) and Bracken County (7-3). The Bearcats open with three straight road games against Bishop Brossart (9-3), NewCath (11-3) and Kentucky Country Day (9-3).

“Our goal is to be the second Walton-Ve- rona regional champion,” Barth said. “We won the first in 2018. We went to the state semifinals that year, and we want to make it back.”

Smith wants to make it there, too, and fast.

Construction on Newport football stadium delayed

the Wildcats earn a postseason seed high enough to host a home game, there is potential for that.

While Phase 1 is underway, the program is currently practicing on the baseball field behind the high school and will play two slotted home games at Bellevue and Lloyd Memorial high schools.

The $3 million Phase 1 includes the demolition of the existing structure – which was built in 1937 – site preparation and the installation of new 1,500-seat bleachers.

The foundation – with the support of the Newport Board of Education and Newport Independent Schools administration – is seeking to raise $1 million or more for the renovation project’s $5 million second phase.

Cooper grad McNeil to play pro basketball in Lithuania

Cooper High School graduate Sean McNeil will continue his basketball career in Europe, playing for a professional team in Lithuania next season.

In total, McNeil scored 1,239 points in his Division I career.

McNeil was the leading scorer on the Jaguars 2017 state runner-up team and finished his high school career with over 1,000 points.

He’ll play for Nevezis in the Lithuanian Basketball League, the highest level of pro basketball in the country.

Home football games at Newport High School’s football stadium will most likely have to wait until 2024.

The school recently announced that the completion of Phase 1 on the renovated football stadium is being delayed and the finished product won’t be ready until at least the end of October due to the construction schedule. The Wildcats’ last home regular season game is scheduled for Oct. 13 against Bellevue.

The first week of the KHSAA Class A football playoffs is scheduled for Nov. 3, so if

Last season, the Wildcats were unable to play games on their home field after the stadium failed a building inspection.

Phase 2 of the renovation will be announced at a later date and will include construction of locker rooms, rest rooms, a concession stand and new field lighting.

The district is also seeking private donations through a fundraising effort. The Newport Education Foundation is now accepting donations to help pay for the renovation of Newport High School’s Wildcat Stadium.

After graduating from Cooper in 2017, McNeil’s path has been a well-traveled one. He originally started his college basketball career at Bellarmine University in Louisville, then went to Sinclair Community College in Ohio. After excelling at Sinclair with 29.7 points per game, the second-highest point-per-game average in the National Junior College Athletic Association, McNeil latched on at West Virginia.

He spent three years in Morgantown before transferring to Ohio State. McNeil closed out his college career in Columbus with 9.7 points per game and shot 36% from three.