H&R Staff Writer
MAROA — Escaping a bad situation with hopes of success doesn’t always work how people envision. A change in environment can be underestimated, expectations can be too much and acceptance from a new set of peers can be a struggle.
Gary Scott embraced it all.
The one-time Eisenhower athlete first thought about transferring to another school after his freshman year, but with a new coach entering the program, Gary’s father encouraged his son to stick it out. After two seasons that included one win and little use of him at running back, the Scotts decided to invest in their son’s future and move to Maroa.
A year after making that decision, Scott became the most complete running back Maroa has had recently, and it led to Scott winning the 2010 H&R Macon County Player of the Year award.
“I knew it was probably going to be a better situation than I was already in, even if I didn’t start or play much,” Scott said. “I just wanted to do anything I could to help out the team and the program.”
That humble approach is what sold Maroa-Forsyth’s entire football program on Scott when he enrolled before last January.
Scott knew there were a handful of guys who had spent their entire lives playing football for Maroa and were in line to start at running back. So, he didn’t show up with any demands. Rather, he proved in the weight room that he was willing to work for a spot on the team.
It didn’t take long before Maroa coach Josh Jostes and the players took notice.
“He was a good kid and came in with a great work ethic,” Jostes said. “He just came in and wanted to be successful. It worked out great and when you have parents who are committed, that’s just great to see.”
When Scott’s father told Jostes the move was being made, Jostes didn’t know a lot about the 5-foot-9, 190-pound back. All of his knowledge came from playing against Eisenhower in 7-on-7s during the previous two summers when he noticed Scott’s size. Considering the stature of Toby Propst and Dustin Hoffman — the two backs who would have shared most of the rushing load this season — Jostes was happy to add a bigger kid to the position.
It wasn’t until summer camp and practice in pads rolled around that Jostes knew just how good of a player he had.
“He brought a bit of an edge,” Jostes said. “He was bringing it once the season started.”
The rest of the area got a good glimpse of Scott’s ability in Week 1 when he helped Maroa trounce Clinton 49-7 with scoring runs of 40 and 5 yards. He finished with 112 yards for the first 100-yard game of his career.
After getting his second 100-yard game in Game 2, the normally quiet Scott spoke up in Week 3 against Shelbyville. With the Trojans up 33-0 at halftime and Scott sitting at 168 yards, he reminded Jostes he had never rushed for 200 yards.
“We’ll get 200 when it matters,” Jostes replied.
Sure enough, against undefeated Tuscola four weeks later, Scott punished the Warriors for 233 yards as Maroa pounded the defending Class 1A state champs 39-17.
“I made sure to grab him and say ‘Enjoy that one,’ ” Jostes said.
As the season progressed, Scott kept enjoying career firsts. In the first playoff game of his career, Scott helped bring Maroa from behind against Marshall with 172 yards and two TDs. And every week, Scott was one of the first in line to pick up the Trojans’ newest playoff shirt as they finished second in Class 2A.
“It was anything you could wish for,” Scott said. “The opportunity to actually just go out there and compete every game was worth it.”
Scott did more than just compete. He was far and way the most productive back in the area with 1,943 yards on 232 carries (8.4 yards per carry) and 21 TDs. He also caught 18 passes for 194 yards and a score. On defense, he finished with 70 tackles.
While his production might have surprised some people, Jostes knew that Scott’s mentality and mid-year enrollment at Maroa would eliminated any transition period academically and athletically.
“I am really happy for him,” Jostes said. “He was an honor roll student coming in and it’s going to be an adjustment and he’s had to adjust. He’s taking advanced placement tests and has had to adjust and he’s been willing to make that effort.”
With all of Scott’s success coming late in the game recruiting wise, he’s still holding out hope for a couple big programs. His electric season piqued the interest of Illinois State, Eastern Illinois, Drake and Murray State, but with other scholarship offers out to players they’ve recruited long before, it’s a waiting game for Scott.
lbridges@herald-review.com|421-6970
Published in the Herald & Review in December 2010.
