TAFT'S SMITH HAS ROUTINELY TAUGHT HIS FOES A LESSON.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

Class is in session at El Camino Real High in Woodland Hills, and tonight's subject is Football Savvy 101. Professor Steve Smith, the gifted senior wide receiver/defensive back from Taft of Woodland Hills, is presiding.

Tonight's class takes place in a City Bracket semifinal game. Taft is playing Venice. At stake: a trip to the Coliseum for the City Championship.

Smith, one of the nation's top college prospects and one of the few high school players who can punch his ticket to the next level on either side of the ball, has drawn up a difficult study plan on this particular night: how to beat an opponent in multiple ways despite its repeated attempts to take you out of the game.

At receiver this year, he's caught 80 passes for 1,303 yards and 11 touchdowns. Defensively, he's one of the top-five cover-corners in the country and has five interceptions this year despite opponents' efforts to stay away from his side of the field.

``He's the best two-way player to come out of high school since (current NFL star) Champ Bailey,'' talent evaluator Greg Biggins of Student Sports said. ``I wouldn't be shocked if he was playing on both sides of the ball by his sophomore year in college.''

Venice, like every other team Taft has faced during this undefeated season, tries to erase Smith from Taft's offensive game plan with multiple defensive looks and double teams. The objective is to limit Smith's impact.

He knows it, which is why he doesn't fret early on when the ball doesn't come his way.

``He's got so many skills, to pick one over the other, or to try to defend one over the other, is impossible,'' Taft coach Troy Starr said. ``And he knows how to play the game. He's a football player. That's what's always set him apart.''

The time of reckoning comes in the third quarter. Venice has taken a surprising 14-10 lead and stolen away momentum from the favored Toreadors. The deep game Taft uses like a sledge hammer to extract the will from its opponents is not available, erased by the athletic Venice defensive backfield.

It's third-and-long for Taft, and Professor Smith decides this is an opportune time for Lesson No. 1: Take what the defense gives you, and then take a little more in the process.

Smith lines up wide left as a Venice cornerback stares at him from a few yards off the line of scrimmage. He's daring Smith to beat him long, knowing he's got a vicious-looking safety rolling over to his side of the field to help on coverage, as if to say to Smith: ``I double dare you.''

Once the ball is snapped, Smith takes a sharp step forward as if he's going long, forcing the cornerback into a back peddle. Just then Smith stops suddenly, turns around and gathers in a pass from Dove. The quick-thinking cornerback is now moving forward, bearing down on Smith and convinced he's in position to tackle him for a loss.

But Smith is thinking even faster. With one foot he gestures to his left, forcing the corner to angle to that side, just as the rest of Smith's body begins moving to the right. Like a gust of wind, the cornerback runs right past Smith.

Now comes the safety, who takes a perfect angle and barrels toward Smith. But just as the safety approaches, Smith comes to a complete halt, then jukes to his left. There is laughter along the Taft sideline as the safety's momentum takes him right out of the play.

A second later Smith is in full stride, galloping down the field. Only the all-out hustle of a Venice linebacker prevents a Smith touchdown. But the damage is already done. A 22-yard gain, an important first down and new life on the Taft sideline, which has erupted into a team-wide high-five after watching Smith embarrass two defenders.

Three plays later, Taft scores to give the Toreadors the lead.

``It's just a matter of being patient and doing what you know you can do,'' Smith said later. ``They tried to take things away from us, so we just took what was there.''

A few minutes later, Venice is driving down the field and threatening to score again. What better time, Professor Smith thinks, for Lesson No. 2: The art of defensive deception.

Venice has found a comfort zone on medium-range passes, picking up 15 to 20 yards a pop on a crisp, diligent drive. But Smith is on to the Gondoliers' plan, and now it's time to take advantage.

He lays off Venice wide receiver B.J. Vickers on one play, casually running with him on a 20-yard pattern, then positioning himself a few yards to Vickers' left, giving Venice quarterback Eddie Miller the impression that his big receiver is wide open. Miller doesn't see Smith as he fires the ball to Vickers, who is standing by himself at the Taft 15-yard line. But just as the ball leaves Miller's hand, Smith explodes toward Vickers, cutting in front of him just as the ball arrives and pulling the ball out of the air for an interception.

``He does an amazing job of baiting the quarterback,'' Biggins said. ``He's got such incredible football instincts. He might not be the fastest or the quickest, but he knows how to play football, and that makes up for all of those things.''

It's the last time Venice comes close to scoring. Taft goes on to win 31-13. Smith finishes with 13 catches for 148 yards, none longer than 25 yards but all long enough to effectively keep the chains moving as the Toreadors mount three consecutive scoring drives to put the game away.

Defensively, Smith spearheads the Toreadors' efforts against the high- scoring Venice offense, limiting the Gondoliers to just two touchdowns.

Class is over. Taft returns to the City Championship for the second consecutive year. The Toreadors play West Valley rival Birmingham of Lake Balboa Friday at the Coliseum at 8 p.m. for the title.

Professor Smith just smiles afterward.

``Back to the Coliseum,'' Smith said. ``This is what we've worked for all year.''

Starr called out Smith's greatness when Smith was a 14-year-old freshman schooling the Toreadors' varsity team in practice each day. Starr stopped being astonished by Smith a long time ago. Now he just admires. And it doesn't matter where Smith lines up - wide receiver, cornerback, kick returner - he's the best Starr has coached, and Starr has sent dozens of players to college and one to the NFL.

``Take your pick,'' Starr said. ``The sky is the limit for him no matter where he ends up in college. The guy can flat-out play. And when he gets there, he'll shine.''

Ah yes, college. It's a constant subject concerning Smith - as in where will he end up next year?

USC seems like the favorite, but Tennessee, where former Alemany of Mission Hills quarterback Casey Clausen pleads with Smith to join him every time the two friends talk, is another strong possibility.

Smith isn't yet ready to tip his hand, but if you absolutely must know, you might want to go to Friday's game at the Coliseum. Smith is giving serious thought to announcing his intentions after the game.

``I'm thinking about it,'' he said with a smile. ``We'll see.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) SMITH

(2) Taft High's Steve Smith has given opposing defenders fits all season and hopes to lead the Toreadors to the City title Friday.

Edna T. Simpson/Daily News

Box:

STEVE SMITH AT A GLANCE