LAURINBURG — Expectations are high for Scotland High School’s football team as the Fighting Scots run through the earliest stages of their quest for a third straight state championship game appearance.
After graduating one of the smallest senior classes the program has seen, the Scots have a strong group of returners who have some playoff experience under their belts. That experience benefits the Scots as they deal with an unusually low turnout in summer workouts.
“Normally we have 90 to 100 kids out there,” head coach Richard Bailey said. “We’re averaging 70 to 75 (this year), which isn’t awful, but it’s not what we’re used to. It’s just the nature of what’s going on with this county right now.
“The ones that are out here are working hard,” he added. “I like what I see from several of our kids. We have a good nucleus of guys coming back. It’s just getting everyone on the same page.”
Scotland is known for its run-heavy offense. The Scots have had enough talented personnel to run that scheme, with the likes of Zamir White, Syheam McQueen, Joseph McKoy and several others carrying the ball in recent years. This summer the Scots are working on making their passing attack a more consistent threat.
“We want to try and throw the ball, and be a little more diverse in our offense,” Bailey said. “We’ve got to continue to work at it. Some of the guys just think we’re going to throw the ball more, and that sounds good, but it takes time… When you start to become more of a pass-reliant team, there’s a lot of things that need to go right.”
Scotland’s group of quarterbacks, which includes experienced rising juniors Mandrell Johnson and Tyler Barfield, has been working on running plays and making reads. The receiving corps has been focusing on route running in drills and 7-on-7 scrimmages.
One key member of Scotland’s group of receivers is senior Bruce Wall, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear during Scotland’s first game last year. Wall has been lining up as a receiver again after briefly switching to quarterback prior to last season.
Bailey said Wall and defensive end Jason Romero, who sat out the playoffs last year due to a neck injury, have both made significant progress in their rehabilitation efforts. Offensive linemen Kendrell Sellers, who also suffered an ACL tear early last season, is working on getting back to full strength as well.
The Scots have plenty of time left to improve this summer. Workouts will continue next month in between two week-long NCHSAA dead periods.
“They’re working hard,” Bailey said. “I’m pleased with most of their efforts. That’s all you can ask for, lots of kids working hard and showing up.”
