Javon Smith, a VYPR TOP 100 pick for 2025, finds himself in unfamiliar waters with the 2025 football season just ahead. Smith has been surrounded for four years by a senior class that made deep playoff runs and won two state championships. Then long-time coach Dale Condict left for Muskogee taking some players with him. So Javon and new coach Kimes Gilbert are embarking on a new era of Bulldog football. “I think people will underestimate us this year, so I think we’ll be undefeated in the regular season and will play the underdog role in the playoffs,” said Smith optimistically. For Gilbert’s part, he likes what he’s seen so far of the Bulldog linebacker/running back. “He’s one of the highest motor kids I’ve ever been around,” said the new coach. “He plays fast on defense and is a hard runner on offense. He’s really bought into what we’re doing here and is the leader of our defense. He’s the kind of guy others look up to and he can get everyone going with his play.” Javon is one of five Smith brothers who have always played sports but his start in football was a little delayed. “My grandma wouldn’t let me play football until seventh grade which was the Covid year, so I didn’t really start playing until eighth grade.” Jadon laughed. “I really like playing defense best because I like to hit people and watch the play develop in front of me and react to it.” He knows things will be different this year, but he’s impressed so far with the new coach. “Coach Gilbert came in here and he’s the best coach I’ve had. He’s a leader for the young guys. It’s taken me a minute to get down the changes he’s making to the offense and defense but it’s working out well. I think I kind of came into my own last year when Alex (Shieldnight) got hurt and they moved me there and I had to learn the edge position quickly and it gave me a chance to get noticed. I really look at Alex and all the seniors from last year as my football role models.” The youngest Smith brother, Noah, is a sophomore wide receiver so he and Jadon go at it a lot in practice. “He’ll line up and say I’m coming into the middle so get ready and I have to defend him so we’re pretty competitive. It’s awesome to be able to play with my brother and I like watching him get better,” said Jadon.
