[Stardust]

Harlan County football standout Michael Smith’s stellar play for the Black Bears continues to receive recognition as the senior offensive lineman was recently invited to participate in the ‘Down Under Bowl’ in Australia.

The 6-4, 300-pound tackle anchored Bears’ line, helping to clear the way for an offense that amassed 5,626 total yards and 40 points per game last season. He also recorded 79 pancake blocks last season.

The ‘Down Under Bowl’ was inaugurated in 1989 and was established to promote football to the people of New Zealand and Australia. The event is in its 23rd year of competition with teams from the United States, Australia, and New Zealand invited to participate. Teams are divided into brackets of four, with each team playing in two games. Games are played according to High School Federation Rules. This year’s competition will be held in July.

Prior standouts of the Down Under Bowl include Jake “The Snake” Plummer - former quarterback for the Denver Broncos, Ahman Green - running back for the Green Bay Packers, and Rob Morris - 2007 Super Bowl Champ with the Indianapolis Colts.

In addition to the ‘Down Under Bowl,’ Smith participated in the Border Bowl between Kentucky and Tennessee at the University of the Cumberlands this offseason. He was also named to the Courier Journal first-team and was an AP All-State second team selection

Smith has signed to play football at the University of Pikeville next season.

Read more: The Harlan Daily Enterprise - Smith to compete in Down Under Bowl

[papagrit]

Way to go Big Mike! Great kid! Got to know him at the Filthy Animal Lineman camp the past two years and also at the Border Bowl. He's a tough cat to clean up after.

[Granny Bear]

Congratulations to a very deserving kid!!

[LeeCoUKFan]

Wow! Very Impressive! Congrats to the young man!

[Real Badman]

is this the game that costs xthousand of dollars?

[West 80]

I heard it cost a lot of money, anyone know how much. I don't like pay for play.

[RoShamBo]

We had five or six players from Somerset participate about 8 or 9 years ago and I seem to remember it being about $3000 a person. We had multiple fund raisers to send our guys down there. They all said it was a once in a lifetime experience though.

[Black Bear Fan]

This proves hard work pays off. Congratulations to a good kid...

[Granny Bear]

This will cost Mike $5K. It covers air fare, 8 days at Sydney, all meals and a 3 day lay over in Hawaii for an awards presentation after the game.

So far, the school hasn't offered anything. Mike is making his own money to cover the expense, and his mom is doing projects (cook books, candles, etc.)

[Southeast Bluegrass]

It is the opportunity of a lifetime. Many kids get this offer. Hasn't he already commited to play at Pikeville? Take the 5k and go on a trip with the family.

Injury = lost scholarship worth how much?

This is just an opinion now. Don't get bent out of shape. I know big and little Mike. Great parent and kid. I just think he could still take the 5k and go to Hawaii or Down Under without the risk.

[West 80]

5k,holy crap, that is a lot of money. Buy a used car for that

[LHSXY]

Congrats