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HOWLAND – You don’t think of high school football when you look at Hubbard High School running back L.J. Scott.
More along the lines of Big Ten college football or perhaps the NFL comes to mind.
Until those days arrive, Scott will be known as one of the greatest running backs in Trumbull County high school football history. Along the way to a 2,819-yard senior season, the 6-foot-1, 230-pound Scott set the career county record for rushing yards (7,476 – fifth most in Ohio history), breaking the mark set by Howland’s De’Veon Smith in 2012.
Scott was honored for his accomplishments this season by being named winner of the Richard Alberini Award as the Trumbull County Coaches Association Player of the Year. The award was presented as part of the 40th annual Andy Pike Football Dinner on Monday at Leo’s Ristorante.
Scott couldn’t have been surprised when his name was announced as the winner. He joins a prestigious list of past winners, including Smith, who continued his football career at the University of Michigan.
“It’s something I will take in and live up to, but I just have to stay humble,” said Scott, who has accepted a scholarship to attend Michigan State University.
Scott was a cornerstone of the Eagles’ offense the last four seasons. Hubbard reached the playoffs each of the last three seasons, advancing to a regional final before losing to Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary the last two seasons.
“Honestly he’s very deserving,” Eagles coach Brian Hoffman said. “He’s had four consistent years of football for Hubbard High School, especially this past year was by far his best season.
“He trained really hard for this season. He’s a great teammate. I know the other guys on the team are a part of this, too. He’d be the first one to tell you that. We’re proud for L.J. and proud for our program.”
A talent like Scott doesn’t come around often. He has the power and leg strength to break tackles on inside runs and the speed to outrun defenders, which he did on many of his 38 touchdowns.
“He has a lot of great assets,” Hoffman said. “He runs with authority between the tackles. He has breakaway speed. He has great hands, and he’s a good defensive player as well. At the next level, as he continues to mature and develop and understand the game even more, he’ll be a great football player.”
Scott has the ability to make an impact at Michigan State as a freshman. He smiles when asked about the challenge awaiting him in East Lansing.
“It’s definitely exciting going to the Big Ten,” Scott said. “I expect to work hard, and hopefully I’ll get a spot.”
Scott was part of a talented one-two backfield that included junior George Hill, who’s committed to Ohio State. Hill had some injury problems that put more of a load on Scott, particularly in the playoffs.
“He (Scott) had to carry the load probably a little more than we would have liked, especially through those last three weeks of the season,” Hoffman said. “But he’s a great teammate. The biggest compliment I can give him is in four years I never had him complain about getting the ball or giving the ball to someone else. Even when he had games where he was injured or not in the mix, he was the first guy on the sideline coaching up other guys and helping us out that way.”
A dream season came to an end with a heartbreaking 26-23 loss to St. Vincent. The Eagles, who won the Division III Associated Press poll championship, finished with a 12-1 record.
“It was definitely a successful season,” Scott said. “Have nothing to be ashamed about. It stinks to end like that as a senior, but got better things coming.”
Hubbard graduate Kurtis Drummond and Howland graduate Dan O’Brien were named co-recipients of the Korey Stringer Golden Helmet Award. The award goes to area athletes that excelled in their senior season on the college level.
McDonald coach Dan Williams was named Coach of the Year for leading the Blue Devils to a 10-1 season and a spot in the Division VI playoffs.