NEDERLAND - Darin Smith made very few mistakes in Bill Jardell's eyes before this week. But Smith blew the heck out of Jardell's cover on Monday.

  Nederland's senior inside linebacker told the world what a hard-working, extra-special person in his life that his position coach has been.

  Smith made it public what practically the whole city of Nederland discovered about Jardell long ago -- that Bill will work, work and work some more... as much as teacher, as much as any coach, as much as any husband.

  Then when Bill is finished working, he is likely to find more spare time work to dig into and he really, truly seems to do so without any necessary ego food.

  In other words, whether it's helping to build sets for his wife's dance studio, or helping to turn the under-sized Smith into a Super Team middle linebacker, Jardell basically stays low-key, avoids the

limelight, and keeps his extremely large accomplishments beneath the radar screen as much as possible.

  So the question before the House of Bulldogs on this Wednesday morn, goes something like this... Could Darin Smith have a better example-setter to follow on this or any other planet?

  That question's answer is an identical answer to the question - Did PN-G beat Nederland in varsity football this season? Bulldogs fans have their answers to both questions.

  How much does Smith appreciate Jardell?

  "If I had a choice, I'd probably come back and take his job," said the 5-8, 185 pound son of Russell and Becky who just might follow in the footsteps of Jardell one day.

  Bill might prefer that Darin would take his time on that progression. Jardell likes his job. He doesn't want to relinquish it to an 18-year-old.

  Smith gives his father, head coach Larry Neumann and other Bulldogs players some credit too, but the greatest portion of Darin's praise heads toward Jardell, a guy who often escapes the notoriety which other NHS coaches receive.

  This is not an average player by any means. Smith has led the Bulldogs defense, collecting a team-best 129 total tackles. He's a front-runner for a second Super Team selection as well as a Class 4A all-state

nomination.

  Therefore, when Smith speaks of Jardell's value to his life, Nederlanders everywhere should pay attention.

  "Coach Jardell has taught me everything," Smith said. "I mean it, he's taught me everything.... from reading plays, to the instincts to get to the ball, I have learned it all from him.

  "It's not like he's worked me overly hard, not really. And I've probably complained a lot, too."

  Jardell's deliberate avoidance of recognition has been a trait which Smith has seen up close and personally. Fact is, Darin has had an opportunity to eyeball most all of Jardell's traits.

  "He's such a hard-worker," Smith said of Jardell. "He doesn't look to be a standout. He just does his job."

  Smith's head coach will second the words of his star linebacker.

  "Coach Jardell is the most non-pretentious individual you will ever see," Neumann said. "He just goes to work. He doesn't want the limelight. He's a very loyal, unassuming guy.

  "Darin is following right along. He's been a great team leader for the younger players."

  Jardell offers quite a few superlatives about his student, too. It wouldn't surprise Bill, either, if Darin would become a fine coach in his own right some day. That is, if Smith continues to think about the

possibility of entering the coaching profession.

  "Darin used to come to our football camp when he was 8 or 9," Jardell recalled. "I remember he was always smiling. He'd do anything you'd ask him to do.

  "I think Darin knows the game. He studies it. He doesn't make too many false steps. He can't afford to. He's worked hard during the off-season. He's pretty durable."

  Jardell will ask Smith to play as well as he possibly can play on Saturday afternoon at Houston's Rice Stadium when Dayton (5-5) will play Nederland (7-3) at 2 p.m.

  Why would Smith need his best performance for a 5-5 opponent? Smith has been used to playing behind Super Team nose tackle Ron Mohica for the past two seasons. Academic reasons will force Mohica to the sideline this week. That may mean the Bulldogs defense may need Darin's finest game in order to survive the 4A Division II bidistrict round.

  "I'm going to have to step up, that's for sure," Smith said.

  Darin delivered a team-best 12 stops with seven solos and five assists in the regular-season finale at Port Neches. Smith is not about to accept any glory without dishing it appropriately to his mates. He was

quick to point out Mohica's extraordinary performance at PN-G, which earned him the Port Arthur News Player of the Week honors on October's final weekend.

  Just as Jardell would do, Smith would duck as much of the recognition that he could. Looks as if the teacher has taught the student quite well.

Bulldog Playoff Bites

  A Nederland booster bus will depart from the Nederland Public Library on Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. Roundtrip cost for the trip is $20 which does not include a game ticket. To reserve a seat, call Rodney Powell at 727-1648.... A Thursday pep rally is scheduled for the Dogdome at 7 p.m.... Senior citizens with gold cards are required to secure their discount on tickets during the pre-sale only. Gold cards will not be accepted at the Rice Stadium gate.... Bulldogs tested Rice Stadium's Astroturf for the first time in 2004 on Tuesday afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m..... Without NT Ron Mohica against Dayton for academic reasons, the Dogs will slide Blake Amy over from strongside tackle to nose tackle while senior Trey Thibodeaux will start at strongside tackle. Both Amy and Thibodeaux have logged their share of varsity minutes.... The Port Arthur News Friday Night Experience will carry the Nederland/Dayton game

Monday night on Cable 7 at 7 p.m. The Nederland/Dayton winner will meet the Jacksonville/Waller winner in the second round....