The 12 to Watch in 2012: Delone Catholic QB Brett Smith

This is Part 10 in our continuing blog series, which looks at 12 players to watch during the upcoming YAIAA football season. A reminder, there is one major change from last year's list: In an effort to profile a wider range of teams, I'm only picking one player from each school for the list.

Previous playersRB Alex Cooley, Eastern York

RB/OLB Marquis Fells, Central York

QB James Dougherty, York Catholic

C/DT Brody Kern, West YorkQB Dustin Crouse, Littlestown

RB Dillon Thomas, South WesternWR/RB Jaime Nixon-Alark, York SuburbanDB Dan Hare, Kennard-Dale RB Jason Milton, Red Lion

QB Brett Smith

Delone Catholic, Sr.

2011 passing stats: 66-112, 1,380 yards, (58.9 percent), 21 TDs, 6 INTs

The Squires took on a different look with Smith at the helm last season. It wasn't necessarily that Delone Catholic threw the ball more than it had in years past; the Squires running game still formed the foundation of its Wing-T attack. It's just that when Delone did throw the ball, it was more effective than it had ever been.

Much of that, of course, owes to Smith, whose accuracy and efficiency from the pocket helped ensure that the Squires took full advantage of their aerial opportunities.

In his first four games last season, Smith completed 24 of his combined 32 passes for nine touchdowns. On the season, Smith averaged a touchdown pass per every 5.24 throws.

If you throw out Smith's final game -- a playoff loss to Trinity in which he completed just 5-of-17 passes -- the rising senior's completion percentage jumps to 64.2 percent.

Smith's presence could be even more crucial this season, with the Squires have graduated key contributors from last year's team at almost every position of the field.

Other Squires to watch: Rising senior Nick Braun is Delone's leading returning rusher, having ranked fourth in that category in 2011 with 262 yards. ... Linebacker Hayden Bell tied for the team lead in sacks (4) as a junior. He also added 87 tackles.