Jul. 21—Liam Smith makes an impression both on and off the football field.
A standout two-way lineman from Wallenpaupack, he earned a spot in the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association East-West Big School game in May. After one of the practices at Whitehall High School, Smith spent time cleaning up water and Gatorade bottles and putting away chairs after all the players had left the facility.
“I was just thinking to myself that it was a special facility, I mean it was the home of Saquon Barkley, and the school was being very generous to allow us to use it, so I wanted to respect it and make sure it was clean,” Smith said.
The initiative Smith showed impressed Whitehall head coach Matt Senneca so much, he wrote Wallenpaupack coach Mark Watson an email that showed his appreciation.
“To me this is the true test of a young man when they do what is right when no one is watching,” Watson wrote about his standout player when nominating him for the first Karl Pfeiffenberger Community Outreach Award presented by the Scranton Lions Club at tonight’s 87th Dream Game that kicks off at 7 p.m. at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium.
That initiative by Smith, along with a lengthy résumé that includes several community service contributions and his all-star football season that landed him on the City roster all led to him earning this inaugural award that honors the late Lions Club president and game organizer who died of lung cancer in October.
“This means a lot to me, because it shows that I am an active part of my community like Mr. Pfeiffenberger, who gave up so much of his time for his community,” Smith said. “It is humbling where I was awarded this by the committee that feels I am worthy to follow in his shoes.”
Smith was a member of the National Honor Society, a Gold Honor Award recipient and a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions at Wallenpaupack. He volunteered at the Wallenpaupack Food Pantry and the Souper Bowl Food Drive.
The 6-foot-2, 245-pound lineman had 32 tackles in six games last season. In the East-West Big School game, Smith had a sack and two quarterback hurries in a 38-13 win.
As a member of the City all-stars, he and his twin brother, Seamus team up before both continue their academic and athletic careers at Lycoming College.
“I am really looking forward to the game, because it’s a chance to be physical, again,” Smith said. “Plus, we are at full capacity with fans and playing under the lights and getting that sense of high school football again is going to be great. We are going to be able to hear the roar of the crowd after playing in stadiums where you could hear a pin drop.
“I can’t wait to put on a show for the people and fans, who I think need a break from the year we just had.”
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