Unsurprisingly, Morgan Park’s Ronald Smith Jr. realizes that big moments begin with proper scale.
You see, Smith also plays guitar, so the sophomore quarterback knows all about progressions and chords and reading the action. He brings that mentality onto the football field for the Mustangs.
“I’m capable of making a lot of athletic plays,” said Smith, who checks in at a silky-smooth 6-foot and 170 pounds. “I try to make sure we get as many of those as possible.
“With the big plays, in order to get there, I like to start with the short throws and runs.”
It became a winning combination Saturday as Smith ran for two touchdowns and passed for another in a 50-0 Public League Metro victory over host Lincoln Park in Chicago.
Junior wide receiver Travezz Jones also caught a 17-yard TD pass from Smith and a 14-yard TD pass from junior quarterback Trenton Hurley to pace the Mustangs (4-2, 4-0).
Smith and Hurley alternate starts week to week. They also spell each other during the game.
“He’s quicker than me and can do more with his legs and not just have to worry about throwing the ball,” Hurley said of Smith. “I see what he does, and it definitely benefits what we are trying to do.”
Jones said Smith’s athleticism, quickness and creativity with the ball unlock the offense.
”RJ’s a good quarterback,” Jones said. “I feel like every time he throws me the ball, it’s something that’s going to be good for us. He reads the field well, he can run, and he’s tough to bring down.
“If you get in front of him, he’ll take the hit. They try to take him down, and it’s not always easy.”
A year ago, Smith spent his freshman season watching standout quarterback Marcus Thaxton, who directed the Mustangs to deep playoff runs the two previous years.
“I learned a lot from playing with Marcus,” Smith said. “He showed me how to be a good quarterback. What I found out is being a better quarterback comes with time and experience.
“Watching Marcus, I learned how to stay locked in the whole game, no matter what happens.”
Smith understands that few things are guaranteed, too. Sharing playing time with Hurley has been another part of that growth and development.
“We work hard to make each other better,” Smith said. “We did a lot of work together in the summer. Coach says if we want to be a permanent starter, we have to execute all the little details.
“That is what I worked on (Saturday).”
Smith, who’s also a sprinter in track, flashed next-level speed on his TD runs of 12 and 22 yards. The second TD run was set up by his 55-yard pass to Jones.
“They were designed runs and my coach knows I’m going to make those plays,” Smith said. “I’m always disciplined, I compete, and I always willing to improve.
“My father was in the military, so our house was always disciplined when I was growing up.”
Smith is the youngest of three from a passionate football family. His brothers played at Thornton.
”When I was growing up, they didn’t really know what position I was going to play,” Smith said. “They just knew I wanted to play and they kept pushing me to be the player I am now.”
When Smith is off the field, his primary pursuit is working out to get better. It matches his other discipline of learning how to master the six-string guitar.
“I’m a pretty good player,” Smith said. “Music is important to me. I listen to it a lot and it gets me ready to play. My favorite part about playing quarterback is throwing the ball.
“I just love getting the ball to my guys and seeing them make plays.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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