Carter Smith (’28) is our Bank of Cadiz feature of the Week @KatherineL58069, @WyattRobbins9, @MurrayQBClub, @LasatersCoffee, @eCampusdotcom, @bigassfans, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @Ale8One, @CountyColonels, @HopHighTigers, @murrayFB

[Verse 1]
🎶Just what makes that little old ant
Think he'll move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant can't
Move a rubber tree plant🎶

[Chorus]
🎶But he's got high hopes
He's got high hopes
He's got high apple pie in the sky hopes...🎶

“High Hopes” by Frank Sinatra was written by Sammy Cahn & Jimmy Van Heusen.

’29 defensive lineman has ‘high hopes‘ for 2026

What a year Coach Coby Lewis and his Lakers had in ’25. To go from winless in ’24 to six (6) wins in ’25 is quite the turn around and quite the testament to Coach Lewis’s ability to coach up a group of young men and a football team. Carter Smith, old number 55, got seven games of varsity PT under his belt. Carter played quite a bit at right tackle, along the offensive front, and not so much on the DL. Smith (6’1,” 260) may have netted only the one assisted tackle, but hey, we all have to start somewhere. Smith will be looking to exponentially advance his game play over his junior season. Smith found the field as a sophomore on a six (6) win 4A team in seven varsity games. That was goal number one. Goal number two is make the regular play rotation on both sides of the ball and improve on his defensive performance. What Smith contributes from this point forward should be impressive. Don’t tell Carter Smith the little old ant can’t move a rubber tree plant. Smith has high hopes and might just beg to differ.

HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”

Big Ass Fans Large School All-State FB Reveal Show

The Bank of Cadiz & Trust Company, based in Cadiz, Kentucky, was founded August 7, 1970. The bank obtained trust powers in 1978. 

It is a locally owned, independent bank which has expanded, through the years, to locations in Hopkinsville and Murray in addition to Cadiz. The Bank of Cadiz & Trust Company has focused on community finance and dealing face-to-face with both families and small-business owners while fulfilling customer needs and the dreams of area families and businesses regardless of size or construct.

We, like our area schools, strive for high performance and finding ways to prosper in an ever-changing economic environment. The Bank of Cadiz & Trust Company remains committed to superior performance goals coupled with an exceptional quality of customer service.

’28 T/DT, Carter Smith was among the local, young, high school athletes who also rendered a superior performance while achieving exceptional quality this past season. What will this up and coming DL pull off in coming seasons?

Well, that is the reason Smith is our featured player of the week. This ant CAN move that rubber tree plant; and, when he does, it will be special.

Murray, KY: Carter Smith is a two-way lineman with plenty of upside. Smith figures to be a future fixture along the first teams of both lines of scrimmage as early as next year.

Smith got seven (7) games of varsity run in ’25 as a sophomore. His work along the offensive front was pretty impressive and, by season’s end, he was one of the scrimmage line’s better performers at the RT slot. Smith’s work on defense was not statistically impressive but he showed he may be a two-way threat going forward.

Smith has a nice frame, for a high school lineman, but figures to slide inside to guard or center as he continues to matriculate through the KHSAA-ranks. Smith is 6’1,” 260-pounds.

Smith bench presses 265. Smith squats 365. Smith pulls (deadlifts) 465. Smith power cleans 215.

All of these numbers are right impressive for a lineman just finishing up his sophomore season. If you watch his film, Smith has quick get off and leg kick from out of his stance, runs his feet through the whistle, makes solid contact with good hand placement, and locks on and drives his target deep within the defensive second (and sometimes third) level.

This kid is “twitchy” and explosive for a young big with development still to come. There is no telling where this frame finishes but should he gain a few inches/pounds we will be having a totally different discussion about this guy.

We were able to reach Coby Lewis regarding this young player. Lewis was honorably mentioned in ’25 for our Big Ass Fans Large School All-State Coach of the Year Award.

Lewis told KPGFootball, “We like Carter Smith as both an OL and an interior DL. We can see him playing on both sides as he matures. He is a strong kid with a great work ethic who represents our program well.”

Lewis continued, “We are fortunate to get a rising senior like Brayden Winchester returning to lead the forces in ’26. Winchester can’t do it alone. He will need some help. Players like Carter Smith look capable of providing that type help.”

We believe Smith has a future as a two-way, multi-phase performer. Smith looks to have plenty of twitch and explosion, is a plus athlete, has good speed and spacial quickness particularly for his size, heft, and where he figures to be deployed.

The Lakers served notice in ’25 that it was becoming a powerhouse 4A program with which to reckon. Calloway will have a target on its back going forward and should expect to catch opponents at their best.

Can Smith and players like him continue the development and the run of success enjoyed to date? If the Lakers are to do that; it will require sustained brilliant flashes similar to what we saw a season ago from young players like Carter Smith.

We know this, the Lakers will be excellently coached and excellently prepared. We like this program’s track record. We love this program’s trajectory.

This offseason will go along way in answering questions. Regardless, seeing the answers revealed should prove entirely interesting.

Let’s just hope Carter Smith continues to demonstrate the marked improvement he has shown us thus far. That would really get this program off on the right foot in 2026!

This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!

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