CATCHING ON-Moorpark's Josh Smith makes a grab in practice. Early on this season, Moorpark High's football team is having a lot of success with its ground game. The defending Marmonte League champions are producing through the air as well, thanks to a handful of great receivers.

One of the team's pass catchers is senior Josh Smith. With a limited number of receptions, Smith has already shown his potential to be an impact player.

"He is a guy that has big-play ability and he has shown that early on with three catches but two of them for touchdowns," Moorpark head coach Tim Lins said. "He has done a good job refining his footwork on routes and is learning how to use the whole field to his advantage."

Smith's numbers are limited, in part because of running back Darrell Scott, who continues to pile up monster statistics each week.

But Smith doesn't mind, because he and Scott get along well. In fact, Smith is Scott's uncle.

"My older sister is his mom, so we get along really well," Smith said. "We encourage each other on the field. We feel like I've always been 'lightning' and he's always been 'thunder.' And you know, the thunder creates the lightning."

Josh Smith If opposing defenses start focusing on Scott too much, the lightning may strike soon.

Smith is one of five receivers for the Musketeers who are making a difference early in the year. Seniors Nick Karam, Tyler Francis, Adam Price and junior Ryan Murry round out the receiving corps.

"I think it's more of a positive than a negative not throwing the ball so far," offensive coordinator John Kidder said. "But everyone knows we are running the football with the success we have had, so it's only a matter of time before we start throwing it more to have a balanced attack."

According to Smith, one reason he's been successful early on is because of Kidder. Another reason is the other receivers on the team.

"Me and John have a great relationship," Smith said. "I really rely on him to create plays to show off my athletic ability and he is very good at that. Basically, the best advice he has given me is to stay patient and stay hungry, because he said he's ready to release me like a pit bull.

PLAYMAKER-Josh Smith is quick to credit the Moorpark coaching staff and his teammates for his on-field development. "I try to keep all the receivers intensity high, I learn a lot from those guys as well-like Nick Karam," Smith said. "What we do is always try and get better so we can make the big plays."

Besides playing the flanker position for MHS, Smith also learned to play cornerback over the summer. With Moorpark needing help at the position, Smith has stepped in immediately and made an impact.

"I had one (interception) against Hart," Smith said. "I was very proud of that play. I was very physical. The defense created enough pressure for the quarterback to throw it up in the air for me to make a great play, and I jumped high to catch it but I was tackled right away so there was no return."

Defensive coordinator Ron Wilford has been impressed with Smith's play on the defensive side of the ball.

"He's got a very big upside and he is only going to get better as the season progresses," Wilford said. "There's still some technique stuff he needs to work on, but that's going to come soon. He has done a great job playing 'man' for us."

Smith agreed that if not for Wilford, he might be lost playing defense.

"Coach Wilford's best advice is to be physical on defense," Smith said. "Don't let the game make you nervous at all. Try to kick someone's you-know-what every play."

With Smith playing defense this year, he believes he's getting better at wide receiver.

"Studying the strategies on defense really allows me to know what I'm going to see on offense against certain defenses, mainly 'cover two,'" Smith said. "I now know what the guy on the other side is trying to do."

Smith is learning a lot in the classroom as well.

Already an honor student, Smith is hoping to study medicine in college. He said he has an interest in math and chemistry and his sister, Gwenesia, works in a pharmacy. But Smith is waiting until after high school to worry about college.

"Right now, I'm just focused on the season, I'll worry about those things later," Smith said.

"I just want to get things done with this team and I hope we make it back to the championship," he said. "This is one of the most special times of my life playing football at Moorpark High School. The coaches have been great. They tell us that football is a great sport that not everyone is able to play, and I'm just glad to be one of those guys."