JACKSON TWP — Mike Smith's one season of varsity football was enough for Georgetown University.

Seneca Valley's senior signed a letter of intent last month to continue his academic and athletic career at the school.

“The coaches at Georgetown said I had potential and they would work with me to help me improve,” said Smith (6-foot-3, 210 pounds), who will major in finance. “They have me slotted to play outside linebacker and/or tight end and I will have to put on some weight. Academically, you can't go wrong with an education from Georgetown.”

Smith played youth football, but did not suit up for the Raiders until this past season.

“I decided last summer that I was going to play,” he said. “I knew that it was going to be a lot of work, but I said I'm going to do it. It worked out great and I really enjoyed it.”

“He started with the workouts and then participated in mini-camp,” said Seneca coach Don Holl. “We got to see him in pads in August and knew at that point that he was going to be an outstanding player for us. There was a bit of a learning curve, but Mike is a big, athletic and physical kid. He made a lot of plays.”

Smith proved to be a disruptive force as a defensive end. In his second varsity game, he tallied a sack, forced fumble and fumble return for a touchdown, all on the same play, to help the Raiders defeat Pine-Richland. He also tallied a key reception on a fourth-down play to set up another score.

“With it being my only year of varsity football, I was more than satisfied with the season I had,” said Smith. “During the season last fall, I figured I would go to a good Division III school and play football there. Then after the season, some Division I-AA schools showed interest in me, including Holy Cross and Cornell. I give a lot of credit to my coaches. They continued to work with me to make me a better player.”

Georgetown is a Division 1-AA program that competes in the Patriot League with the likes of Lafayette, Bucknell and Lehigh, among others.

The Hoyas are coming off a 2-9 campaign, but have entered a new era following the promotion of defensive coordinator Rob Sgarlata to head coach in February.

Smith's older brother, Matt, is a 2012 Seneca Valley graduate and current starting pitcher for the Hoyas' baseball team.