Around Iredell Sports

2008 May-18

Statesville Christian developing football program

By Jason Bullard

As a Pittsburgh native and Steelers fan, Statesville Christian School secondary principal Mitchell Salerno knows a thing or two about a community rallying around a football team.

Now he’s hoping people will do the same when SCS unveils its new football program this fall.

On August 28, the school, in conjunction with Tri-City Christian in Conover, will scrimmage against Northside Christian in Charlotte in what is expected to be the first step on the path to a full high school varsity football program.

In order to make that a reality, Salerno knew one of his top priorities would be finding a coach. And he knew exactly who he wanted.

“The first name that popped up was Vinson Smith,” Salerno said.

That was the only name he needed to consider, as the Statesville native and former NFL player agreed to serve as the team’s head coach.

Smith is a 1984 Statesville High School graduate who went on to play at East Carolina before playing linebacker for the Falcons, Cowboys, Bears and Saints. With the ring he earned as a member of the Cowboys’ Super Bowl XXVII championship team glistening, Smith got the attention of several prospective players during a May 8 meeting.

“That was really impressive,” said sixth-grader Jake Boulware, who will play for the middle school team next season.

Smith’s presence has already built some “buzz” around the program, according to Mike Mercereau, who teaches middle school history at SCS. It also gives the program the requisite amount of gridiron experience.

“With football, you need somebody who knows what it is to bang heads,” said Mercereau, who will serve as an assistant coach. “You’re getting that with Vinson.”
Jake Boulware agreed.

“It’s going to be exciting having him as a coach. He’ll be really good, I think.”

Both Salerno and Mercereau used the word “huge” when asked what football could mean to the school. Still, those involved with the program know it will take time — and the help of others — to build.

“Like anything worthwhile, it involves work,” Mercereau said. “And it’s going to be a lot of hard work.”

The first middle school team will include students from both SCS and Tri-City, and possibly some home-school students as well. The plan is to expand with a junior varsity team in 2009, with hopes of a full-fledged varsity program beginning play in 2011.

Mercereau is confident that timeline is a legitimate possibility.

“The administration here at this school is 100 percent behind it,” he said. “When you have that kind of backing and support, and you’re getting the kind of leadership you’re getting with Vinson, I think it is very realistic.”

If all goes according to plan, the school will not only have a football team, but something much more important, Salerno said.

“Our goal is not just a sport. ... You need something to rally around, and football’s that kind of thing that people just get excited about,” he said.

“We want to see a viable Christian high school in this region. We want to see a Christian high school that, obviously, has great academics, the kids being educated in a Biblical world view, and has activities. And football is that one big thing in the fall. Friday night is meant for football in the fall.”

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