• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The Leader

The Leader

Tipton County's Newspaper since 1886

  • Home
  • News
    • All
    • Business
    • Churches
    • Courts
    • Education
    • Election 2024
    • Events
    • Local Government
    • Local Politics
    • Military
    • Public Records
    • Public Safety
  • Sports
    • All
    • Baseball
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Fishing
    • Football
    • Golf
    • Soccer
    • Softball
    • Volleyball
    • Wrestling
  • E-Editions
  • Public Notices
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Contact Us
    • Submit News
    • Advertise With Us
  • Where to Buy

Brighton’s Mackenzie Smith stays grounded (for now) and signs with Dyersburg State

By Jeff Ireland on January 12, 2021

[metaslider id=7606]

Before another opportunity presented itself Brighton senior Mackenzie Smith was considering pursuing a career as an aviator.

She’s been taking flying lessons since she was 15 and was planning on following that path in college before a strong senior year on the pitch changed her mind.

Smith cracked her femur last August during the first game of the 2020 season and missed about half of the year. She recovered by September, had a strong season and played in an all-star game that Dyersburg State Community College coach Robert Lutrell attended.

One thing led to another, Luttrell offered her a scholarship and she signed it Tuesday afternoon.

“Her speed sets her apart from everybody,” said Luttrell, who also coached her on the Jackson Wolves, a club team. “She’s exceptional, has a very good attitude and is a team-first player. I’m thrilled to get her. She’s one of the best players in this county without a doubt.”

She’s a lefty who plays primarily wing and forward but can play any position on the field. Brighton coach Kelsi Williams was an assistant coach during Smith’s freshman season when she played left back.

“Mackenzie is very versatile and goes anywhere you need her to play,” Williams said. “I think it (her signing) says we’re definitely progressing as a program. All of our senior girls could have played somewhere but they just chose a different path.”

Smith said she may pursue flying at some point down the road, but right now she’s focused on her soccer career.

“Dyersburg State was close to home and with a coach I’ve had since I was young who has taken me under his wing and made me a better soccer player, so i just jumped on the opportunity,” Smith said.

She said coming back from a broken leg was tough.

“I learned that I can get through just about anything,” Smith said. “I know I can push through anything no matter what challenges I face.”

Related Articles:

5d511a7eabc39.imageAn aging family member is struggling with their chronic condition — what can you do? 58078e7ac4469.imageHere’s how you can get to know the candidates for mayor and alderman Feb. 13, 2020 5c5dab0839aed.imageCrestview Middle basketball sent off to state in style

Posted Under: Soccer, Sports Tags: brighton high school, Dyersburg State, Mckenzie Williams, Robert Luttrell

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search

Featured News

Straight out of Black Bottom: A Covington community hosts its inaugural reunion

June 6, 2025 By The Leader

Submitted by Dr. … [Continue Reading...] about Straight out of Black Bottom: A Covington community hosts its inaugural reunion

Brighton High fishing duo will compete for national title next month

May 28, 2025 By Jeff Ireland

Jaxon Sherfield, a … [Continue Reading...] about Brighton High fishing duo will compete for national title next month

Munford baseball finishes second at Class AAA state tournament

May 28, 2025 By Jeff Ireland

Saturday's Class 3A … [Continue Reading...] about Munford baseball finishes second at Class AAA state tournament

Brighton High grad Dalton Rushing now playing for reigning World Series champs

May 20, 2025 By Jeff Ireland

Making a Major … [Continue Reading...] about Brighton High grad Dalton Rushing now playing for reigning World Series champs

Tags

auvic white black history braxton sharp brighton baseball brighton basketball brighton football brighton high school city of covington City of Munford coronavirus covid-19 covington Covington Baseball covington basketball Covington football covington high school covington police covington police station Election 2020 events homicide J.R. Kirby Jalen Fayne Jamarion Dowell jeff huffman john edwards Jordan Bell JR Kirby munford baseball Munford basketball munford football munford high school murder ronnie gorton sex crimes shooting Slade Calhoun tcso Tipton-Rosemark Academy Tipton County Museum tipton county schools tipton county sheriff's office town of atoka town of mason TRA basketball

Footer

The Leader is a weekly newspaper, published on Thursdays, serving Tipton County, Tenn. since 1886.

Contact us: news@covingtonleader.com

Editor’s Choice

Here’s how Home Depot and a team of volunteers helped make over CIAA

December 5, 2019 By Echo Day

Black History Month: Mason’s John W. Boyd went from slavery to the statehouse

February 7, 2020 By The Leader

Search

Copyright © 2025 · The Leader | Legacy Media · Log in