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Greg Smith’s truck should be able to make the drive from Smithville to Blue Springs on autopilot by now, given the amount of time he’s spent shuttling between the two cities leading up to this week’s Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association Metro Classic.

However, unlike just about everyone else involved with this year’s game — slated for Thursday, June 18, at Blue Springs South High — once kickoff arrives, Smith’s work will basically be done.

There is no play-calling this summer for the Smithville High head coach, who last year served as an assistant for Team Missouri. But there is still plenty of game-planning, much of it behind the scenes in his role as the president of the GKCFCA.

Smith assumed the post last fall, taking over for outgoing president Greg Reynolds — the head coach at Park Hill — and is in the middle of a two-year term. One of his primary duties is being the administrative point man for the Metro Classic, which is now going on its 17th edition.

"I’m very thankful that I coached in it last year, because it gave me some good perspective, some insight into what is going on," Smith said. "There are so many things that go on with producing a game like this."

From an outsider’s perspective, putting on an all-star game may seem like a simple affair. Pick some coaches, some players, find a date and a place to play, and hope the participants and fans have a good time.

However, the list of administrative duties that must be taken care of to make such a game go off without a hitch is a long one. And most have little to do with X’s and O’s. Instead, it’s more about finalizing rosters, lining up practice facilities, making sure the proper insurance forms are in place.

"I’m a bit out of my element," Smith said with a laugh. "I’m much more comfortable dealing with schemes and blocking techniques and fundamentals. That’s my comfort zone.

"All of this at times has been overwhelming. But I know that on June 18th, when it’s running, I’ll feel a sense of satisfaction."

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