Joe Smith back for second year as Kaneland starting QB, set to lead Knights into new league

MAPLE PARK – Joe Smith couldn’t hide his smile when discussing what was to come for his offense.

Smith, Kaneland's rising senior quarterback, is returning for his second season as the full-time starter. His confidence seems to be growing with each drop back and pass.

His teammates certainly notice it.

“[Smith] has definitely improved a lot,” Knights senior wide receiver Colton Doll said during Kaneland’s 7-on-7 event on July 9. “His confidence is a lot higher. You can tell he’s much more comfortable in our offense. I think we all are...I think we’ve got a good connection going.”

Smith agreed.

“At this point this year compared to last year, I’m 100 miles ahead,” Smith said.

Former Knights' quarterback Connor Buyck was in attendance at the 7-on-7 event. Smith beat Buyck in the Knights’ QB competition last summer.

Buyck, then, had an up-close view of what made Smith into the player he is.

“He’s got it all,” said Buyck, who is scheduled to play football at Aurora University in the fall. “He can run, he can pass, that’s just how he is. I loved watching him last year. I loved learning from him.”

Buyck remembers Smith throwing routes after practice during the summer last year.

“He just brings an excitement to the huddle,” Buyck said. “He just gets people going.”

Smith has come a long way since his first varsity start, a 35-3 win over Yorkville in September of 2017. When then-starter Jack Douglas suffered a shoulder injury Smith, then a sophomore, was thrust into the starting role. He found out the day before of the decision.

Smith went on to throw for 230 yards, two passing touchdowns and ran for another touchdown.

His arrow has been pointing upward ever since.

Smith helped lead the Knights to a 7-4 regular season record and a Class 6A playoff appearance last year. Kaneland lost to eventual state champion Cary-Grove in the second round.

The Knights' offensive identity around Smith is in the middle of a bit of a facelift this offseason. Gone are running backs Jonathan Alstott and Chaz Shaw.

Alstott, who is playing collegiately at Aurora University, was a four-year starter who ran for 1,044 yards and 12 touchdowns last fall.

While it will be different not seeing Alstott in the backfield this season, the opportunity allows Smith to showcase an aspect of his athleticism that has yet to be fully unleashed – his speed and rushing ability.

“I really want to show off what I can do with my legs,” said Smith, who believes it’s an area of his game that is “very underrated."

The Knights have a number of options to replace the production lost, highlighted by senior Will Giffney and junior Jack McIntire.

Smith’s continues to improve at quarterback in his knowledge of the offense, and his understanding of how opposing defenses will choose to cover his receivers downfield.

“His understanding, as far as the offense goes, is leaps-and-bounds from what it was last year,” Kaneland offensive coordinator Ryan Gierke said.

That will only bode well for a Knights' offense that returns a number of starters from last season. The Knights return at least three starters on the offensive line in Sam Pryor, Miles Ripper and Alex Slou.

For receivers, Doll and Max Gagne return as reliable playmakers downfield. Ian Diehl, a tall, lanky tight end, will figure into the mix as well. Smith should have plenty of options to take advantage of the spread concepts Kaneland is implementing.

Kaneland this year will enter the Interstate Eight Conference, after the Northern Illinois Big 12 was broken up. The Knights will be joining I-8 league members Plano and Sandwich along with old conference rivals from the NIB-12 LaSalle-Peru, Morris, Ottawa, Rochelle and Sycamore.

Smith is a good guy to follow into the new league.

“He’s a great competitor,” Giffney said of Smith. “He really brings the team together. All the guys have great respect for him.”