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GREENSBORO — When Rodney Brewington took over the Smith football program last year, insiders told him to keep an eye on rising senior Nick Burns.

"I expected this 6-foot-3, 245-pound kid to walk through the door," Brewington said. "When I first saw him, I said, 'Nick, where's your big brother at?' "

Any questions about the 5-foot-9 Burns disappeared as soon as he took the field. He had 1,150 all-purpose yards as a running back, receiver and kick returner and also played almost every down at linebacker, including an 18-tackle performance against Dudley. Still, recruiting interest was almost nonexistent.

"Thirty-seven coaches came to the school. Thirty-six said he was too small," Brewington said. "I wasn't giving up. If I had to open up a college myself, I'd do it."

Finally, a coach for Lenoir-Rhyne, the private Lutheran school in Hickory, saw Burns on film, thought he'd be perfect for the team's triple option offense and extended a scholarship offer. All the work, Burns prayed, was paying off.

Then, just hours before he was to sign his letter of intent last month, Lenoir-Rhyne called. They had found another back, a transfer from the Naval Academy. No scholarship. Sorry.

"It hurt," Burns said. "It felt like they were pushing my dreams away."

Just wait, Brewington told him. Three long weeks later, the school called back. The transfer hadn't made grades. Burns, a 3.6 student who has posted nothing but A's since his sophomore year, had finally found a home.

"Deep in my heart, I was smiling," he said.

Burns signed Monday morning to the applause of his mother, Angelia Brown, and many of his teammates. It was a perfect teaching moment for Brewington, who has pushed interest in the program to an all-time high despite an 0-11 record last season.

"I tell them, the scoreboard is for parents," Brewington said. "If we do the little things, the scoreboard will come."

Just ask Burns. Monday's reward was worth the wait.

"It's a relief," he said. "No matter the day."

GRIMSLEY COACH MEETS TEAM: Newly appointed Grimsley head coach Martin Samek has had one losing season in 14 years as a coach.

"I really believe we have the ingredients to continue that streak," he said Monday when he addressed his players and the public for the first time at a reception in the school's media center.

Samek also introduced Chad Tesh, a former colleague at Mount Tabor, as his offensive coordinator.

When asked by a player what system he'll run, Samek relayed the advice of the first coach he worked for: "Don't take a mule to the Kentucky Derby, and don't plow the field with a thoroughbred."

He also addressed the several players from last year's team who have transferred to other county schools since Mark Saunders' resignation.

"If you do leave, I hope you find what you're looking for, and good luck. We'll see you on Friday," he said. "I don't want anybody else's football players. I want my football players."

Contact Tom Keller at 373-7034 or tom.keller@news-record.com