DukeSmith

Southside head coach Charles Moody Jr. said he is never surprised at what Derick Smith does on the field. "Derick has a lot of instinctive motivation,” Moody told the Selma Times-Journal. "He comes to work every day and continues to strive to be the best he can be. He's just scratching the surface of how great he can be. It's going to be exciting to watch him grow and develop. He's already special. But in five years from now, he's going to be one of a kind." Smith accounted for more than 2,500-yards and 23 total touchdowns his junior season while playing multiple positions for Southside. Defensively, Smith enjoyed a similar level of success in 2023, posting a stat line of 98 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, four sacks, eight interceptions and 13 pass breakups.