Brothers CJ (left) and Hunter Smith get their game face on in the hours leading up to their first football game at CHS. (Photos courtesy Charlotte Smith)
CJ Smith, the early days.
Hunter Smith, following in his brother’s footsteps.
They have a common last name and uncommon talent and drive.
Having moved to Whidbey with their family midway through last school year, CJ and Hunter Smith have quickly emerged as two of the more promising athletes in Coupeville.
CJ quickly made a name for himself as a sophomore, helping lead the Wolf baseball squad to its first state tourney berth in several seasons, and now, with Hunter joining his older brother at the high school level, the duo promises to thrill year-round.
Both play football, basketball and baseball, which, in itself is intriguing, since no CHS athlete has played the three traditional male sports in either of the last two school years.
CJ, a junior, started at wide receiver (“a first for me”) Friday and hauled in five passes for 58 yards in Coupeville’s epic 35-28 victory over visiting South Whidbey.
He also starred on defense, expertly defended an incomplete pass in the end zone in the game’s final seconds, preventing the Falcons from tying up the game and possibly forcing overtime.
Younger brother Hunter, a freshman, is expected to share snaps at quarterback with Hunter Downes Monday when CHS travels to Langley for a match-up of the schools JV gridiron squads.
Both play multiple positions (CJ also plays QB, safety and corner while Hunter bounces between defensive end, linebacker, QB, safety and corner), and picked up the game early.
They first played together on a flag football team in Sammamish when CJ was eight and Hunter six.
The younger brother wasn’t originally on the team because of his youth, but team coaches let him practice and were so impressed with his hustle they gave him a spot on the roster.
Later came a jump to full-on tackle football when each hit age nine. By that time the family was in Michigan.
“We have always enjoyed watching football and wanted to play for our community and school with our friends. We enjoy playing team sports and football is a game that we have always enjoyed watching and playing.”
Both brothers are hard workers who commit fully to their team.
“I think we are smart players, knowing the plays and the situation.
“We communicate well with our team and coaching staff and work hard, getting to know our new team, contributing as much as possible through leadership and hard work, getting to know coaching staff and their expectations, then exceeding their expectations.”
While they play multiple sports, baseball is their favorite, and the brothers have a long history of playing select ball.
Their dad has been their primary coach across all three sports, but each of the Smiths also single out a select baseball coach in Michigan for having a huge impact on the development of their games.
For CJ it’s Orville Thomas, while Hunter hails Bruce Baer.
In the (brief) down moments between sports, the Smith brothers, along with talented little sister Scout (a seventh grade volleyball player for CMS who has excelled at softball, soccer and especially basketball in the past), enjoy family movie nights and rooting for the Seahawks and Mariners.
Then they go out and play like their professional inspirations, which is a beautiful thing.
