BACKING HIS WORDS; HIGHLAND'S SMITH NOT JUST ALL TALK.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer

Undersized Highland High quarterback Camy Smith has never been short on words.

The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder was so outspoken before the football season that neighboring campuses called special meetings notifying players about what not to say to the media.

Among Smith's publicized offerings: The Bulldogs would win the Golden League outright, he would be league MVP and his team had faster players than down-the-street rival Palmdale.

Smith, who will start in the High Desert all-star football game at Palmdale High Friday at 7 p.m., swears he actually had team-oriented motives for what seemed like pure boasting.

``The reason I did all that is I wanted my teammates to feel like they could win, that they could compete with the best. They liked it, so that's why I kept doing it.''

Longtime Highland coach Lin Parker admits being slightly red-faced about his bold signal caller. But Parker accepts that Smith is a secure quarterback whose confidence has made him a good football player.

``I would give Camy instructions about what to say and how to talk,'' Parker said. ``Then I'd read the papers and sometimes I'd cringe, `Please tell me you didn't say those things.' ''

Two-time all-leaguer Smith has backed his words with action, finishing his career with 11 school passing records. After leading the surprising Bulldogs to the Division II semifinals as a junior, Smith kept pace last year (1,846 passing yards, 52 percent completion rate, 15 TDs) even though rebuilding Highland slipped to 5-5 and did not make the playoffs.

``Camy really evolved from a wry little sophomore to the best quarterback we've ever had,'' Parker said. ``He was a coach on the field. I even developed an audible system for him - the first time I've done that - and, with one or two exceptions, he never made any mistakes.

``He was a big part of Highland's development as a football team because as the new kids on the block we had a lot to overcome - the Palmdale tradition; Quartz Hill was the old school that had been around so long; and Antelope Valley's Mays Field magic. (Antelope Valley coach) Brent Newcomb has always pulled off wins everyone thought were impossible.''

Smith's impact at Highland was immediate. He completed 14 of 22 for 209 and one TD in his first sophomore start, leading the Bulldogs to a 28-14 win over Hanford. As a junior, Smith recorded four 200-yard games, including a 13-for-16 night (213 yards, one TD) against Littlerock that goes down as one of the Golden League's finest passing performances.

Last season Smith was at his best against top-notch opponents, throwing for 264 yards and a touchdown in a 28-26 loss to Canyon, 241 yards and four TDs to spark a 38-22 win over Quartz Hill, and 225 yards and one TD in a season-ending 21-13 loss to Palmdale.

Smith totaled 4,407 career passing yards and 33 touchdowns.

So vital was Smith to Parker's scheme that it wasn't affordable to risk him at strong safety, which was Smith's natural position considering his height and quickness (39-inch vertical jump, 4.6 speed).

Smith realized that playing defense was his only ticket for a major scholarship. But Smith is a team player first and his primary goal always has been to win.

However, Smith definitely will play defense on Friday.

``I think it's great to finally get to play both ways,'' Smith said. ``I'm really enjoying playing strong safety.''

Palmdale High coach Jeff Williams is commanding Smith and his South teammates in the all-star game. Williams says it's nice to have Smith on his own team.

``I've been watching Camy for for three years and I've always known him to be an exceptional athlete,'' Williams said. ``He's smart and very aggressive. What I really like about him is his leadership skills.''

Smith, the son of a pastor, is a serious young man and deeply religious.

``I found (my faith in God) late, at 14 years old,'' he said. ``But my belief has helped me on the football field more than anything in the world.''

Smith said he lives a clean life - physically, socially, and spiritually. ``I don't drink and I'm not into partying.''

He is excited about his future, having committed to Morehouse College in Atlanta. Scheduled to leave in late July, Smith already has a case of happy feet.

``I've been in Palmdale all my life,'' he said. ``It's time to see what the rest of the world has to offer.''

All-star notes: North quarterback Justin Mobley, whose tailback brother, Eric, was injured in last year's inaugural all-star game, costing him his freshman season at Oregon, said he will take precaution by wearing special ankle braces. . . . Littlerock team manager Josias Galvez, a players' favorite who Littlerock coach Jim Bauer calls ``a miracle kid'' after surviving a rare birth disease, is assisting the North. . . . At the South's practice last week, Palmdale All-American Matt Leonard's pull-block demolished linebacker Billy Niemeyer, a regular-season teammate. . . . North kicker Victor Oceguerra of Mojave, just 5-7 and 129 pounds, was kicking 50-yard field goals against the wind in practice.

CAMY CAN

Highland High quarterback Camy Smith leads the South in the High Desert all-star football game at Palmdale High Friday at 7. His vitals:

Height/Weight: 5-10, 170

1997 stats: 146 for 281 (52 %), 1,846 yards, 15 TDs

Honors: Two-time All-Golden League

Plans: Committed to Morehouse College in Atlanta

Quick note: Smith, who runs a 4.6 40 and vertical jumps 39 inches, will play both offense and defense on Friday

CAREER STATISTICS

Yr. Att. Comp. Int. Yds. TD

Sr. 281 146 8 1,846 15

Jr. 291 149 13 1,960 17

So. 104 53 5 601 1

Total 676 348 26 4,407 33

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

PHOTO Outspoken Highland quarterback Camy Smith will start in the High Desert all-star game Friday.

Hans Gutknecht/Daily News

BOX: CAMY CAN (See text)