PREP FOOTBALL
Local standouts commit
George Wythe’s Tandom Smith and the Honaker tandem of Tyler Cole and Parker Bandy recently made known their college football commitments.
Smith will play at Roanoke College, which will play its first varsity season in 2025 after rebooting its gridiron program and is coached by former Virginia Tech offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring The Maroons last played in 1942.
A quarterback/linebacker, Smith was the Region 1C offensive player of the year in 2023 after rushing for 1,087 yards and passing for 1,550 more. He also racked up 118 solo tackles for the GW Maroons.
As a junior, he played a starring role as the team finished as VHSL Class 1 state runner-up.
Cole and Bandy helped Honaker go 13-1 in 2023 in winning the Hogoheegee District and Region 1D titles and both are headed to the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. Cole racked up 78 tackles and 7 ½ sacks on the defensive line and also started on the O-Line.
Bandy was a force on both sides of the ball as the sure-handed wide receiver had 100 catches for 1,433 yards and 20 touchdowns, while snagging nine interceptions and recording 75 tackles in the defensive secondary.