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Seneca Valley (Germantown, MD) standout Andre Smith lost his mother to cancer just weeks before making his verbal commitment to Virginia Tech, but has shown exceptional character and strength in the face of adversity in what is his senior year.

“He’s showing tremendous resiliency,” Seneca Valley head coach Fred Kim said. “It’s been such a strain on him and it’s amazing that he’s rallied. He has to go to school, practice, do homework and then figure out what to make for dinner. He’s been strong for his family and our community has really supported him and been there as a family group.”

Despite what he has been through off the field, Smith continues to be a big part of his team on it. He has shown tremendous resiliency on the field as well. In Seneca Valley’s season opener, the 6-4, 235-pound tight end/defensive end suffered a high ankle sprain. He has battled back to resume a major part offensively and defensively.

“He tried to push it too early, but the last few weeks he’s really been picking up,” Kim said of Smith’s comeback. “He’s looking to form.”

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