FORT MYERS, Fla. — Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith has had an extremely impressive high school football career, and he just keeps on adding to his resume and shattering records.
“Records are meant to be broken and I’m just happy that I was able to coach the young man that did it,” said former Vikings quarterback Josh Vogelbach.
At Verot, Vogelbach set the program record for most passing yards and passing touchdowns before he graduated in 2004.
“Feels like a long time ago,” said Vogelbach. “But you know, Verot is a special place and it built me into the man I am today.”
It took nearly 20 years, but there’s a new record holder on Sunrise Drive.
“Carter has broken the passing yards record now here at Bishop Verot High School and he’s quickly chasing down the Lee County record,” said head football coach Richie Rode.
Vikings QB1 Carter Smith slid past Vogelbach’s previous record of 6,263 yards, now sitting at 6,332 yards. He also tied the record for passing touchdowns, throwing his 60th of his career on Friday night at Tampa Jesuit.
“I’d say pretty special,” said Smith. “Especially Josh, he set a pretty high bar. Coming in being able to do that. I guess it’s pretty exciting. But I definitely had a lot of help with the guys on the team, especially with my receivers actually. They’ve got to catch the ball, run, make cuts, do all that stuff to get open. So I mean, they definitely helped me out a lot.”
As the Vikings’ current offensive coordinator, Vogelbach got a front-row seat from the sidelines to watch his own record be broken.
“It makes it really fun,” said Rode. “They have a great relationship and Josh is a Hall of Famer here and a legend and an ex-head coach here, so to have him on staff is invaluable for me.”
“It’s really cool to have this experience and be able to joke around with Josh about it,” said Smith.
But don’t etch his stats in permanent ink yet, Smith is only halfway through his junior season and has so much more in the tank.
“He’s gonna shatter every Lee County record that exists and, in my opinion, he’ll be one of the best to ever come out of this area,” said Vogelbach.
“It’s a big thing of what he’s done, for sure, and he’s got bigger things to come,” said Rode.
The 6-1 Vikings face Gateway this Thursday, October 12.