Isaiah Smith dazzles on offense and defense for Malverne football
Isaiah Smith of Malverne returns an interception 59 yards for a touchdown as teammate Jamir Houston reacts in the closing seconds of a Nassau Conference IV football game against Lynbrook at Malverne High School on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. Credit: James Escher
Isaiah Smith had already delivered when Malverne needed him.
With the Mules trailing Lynbrook by two, the 6-3, 230-pound bruising runner accounted for 39 yards on a 73-yard drive. He shed two tacklers on a 10-yard touchdown run with 59 seconds remaining. Smith added the two-point conversion to give Malverne a six-point lead.
But he had one more play to make.
Smith got a hand on a pass, hauled in the deflection, and suddenly had nothing but daylight in front of him. He raced 55 yards for a pick-6 with seven seconds left in the game. Malverne’s sideline and home crowd erupted, as almost everyone on the sideline put their hands in the air.
It was the finishing touch in a 22-10 victory over visiting Lynbrook in Nassau IV Friday night.
For more on this matchup, check out Jared Valluzzi's game story.
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