There was a time when I could write Scooter or Liddy in this space and everyone knew exactly who I was referring
to. No last name needed.Well,
Liddy (Elizabeth Dole) is still safe.
As far as Scooter, there is a dilemma. His last
name (Sherrill) will now have to be used at all times.
That’s because
there’s a new Scooter in town.
Scooter Dalton.
Dalton comes over from Lexington, where he was the
school’s best athlete. He joins Sherrill at West Rowan.
And get this. They’re
cousins.
And they’re both playing football.
Say what?
Scooter Sherrill is playing football?
Scooter Sherrill, the Division I basketball
prospect who just completed his summer tour of the United States as one of the best rising seniors in the
nation?
``That’s
right,’’ said Falcon football coach Scott Young Thursday night. ``He’s going to be a receiver in a
limited role.’’
In other words, I just
can’t spit out ``Scooter’’ and let it ride. I must make sure the readers know which Scooter.
Scooter Dalton has an idea.
``I’ve been hearing Scooter 1 and Scooter
2,’’ he said. ``I guess I’m Scooter 2.’’
First, we’ll deal with
Scooter 1.
Why would the Scooter named Sherrill decide to
play football after not coming out as a sophomore and junior?
Maybe it has to do with
Scooter 2. They’ll both play basketball together in the winter so they can create some early
chemistry. Maybe it is because Young has won him over with his air of confidence. And
maybe, just maybe, he senses West has enough talent to improve greatly on last year’s
3-8 finish.
Scooter 1 used to play
football and was arguably the most exciting football player in the school as a freshman. He even
had an 80-yard touchdown run. Everyone thought he’d have racked up a couple of
1,000-yard seasons by now. But basketball became his thing.
Now, as a senior, he is a
football player again. And don’t think a two-year layoff will have opponents ignoring him.
``Defenses will be well aware of
where he is,’’ said Young. ``He’s too good of an athlete.’’
Young had wanted Scooter 1
since last season and gave it one more try in July. He called just before mini-camp and invited him out. But
Scooter 1 declined.
A couple of days ago, Young
was in the office making copies for practice when Scooter 1 approached him and said he wanted to join the team.
``We got him a helmet and
jersey,’’ Young said.
While Scooter 1 was delighted
to have football back in his life, Scooter 2 was glad to have West Rowan. Period.
Dalton was last year’s
quarterback for Lexington, a team that lost all 11 games.
``Actually, it’s a
17-game losing streak,’’ he said. ``We lost our last six games the year before. I’ve never been
so glad to have one season end and another begin.’’
Scooter 2 is moving to
tailback ~ Scooter 1’s old position ~ and he gives the program something it hasn’t had since,
well, Scooter 1: someone who can juke and wriggle his way for 100-yard outings. He is a
game-breaker.
``He looks like he has been
playing tailback his entire life,’’ marveled Young. ``He has a natural ability to run the
football.’’
Something else that Dalton can
do with his legs besides run is kick. He was the state’s second-leading punter in 1998, averaging 44
yards.
Statistics and position
switches mean nothing to Dalton, however. He wants to only be successful in football.
``It has been hard going 17
games without a win,’’ he said. ``I’m out hunting for one.’’
He didn’t have to hunt
for friends, something else he has in common with the other Scooter. He is comfortable at West
because this is home ~ sort of.
``My mom graduated from
here,’’ he said. ``She got a job as a teacher in Lexington and I went with her.
We stayed on Baker Mill Road. I was going back and forth.’’
Dalton is also a very good
basketball player and actually played on Lexington’s varsity under Mike Gurley, who is now West’s hoops
guru. He’ll join the other Scooter in the Gurley Dome soon enough. Right now,
it’s football. And in some circles, he is being touted as the key figure.
``It kind of puts pressure on
me but it’s a good feeling and I’m willing to accept the challenge,’’ he said.
``Hopefully, I can contribute to carrying us over the hill. But it’s going to take
more than one person.’’
And obviously, more than one
Scooter.
With every answer, Scooter Dalton looks you in the
eye. He smiles. He jokes
around. It is easy to see why people gravitate toward him and why he has already won over
the Falcon masses.
``Even the ladies in the
office love him,’’ said Young. ``It’s the way he carries himself. He speaks well. He says the
right things. He’s just a good kid.
``Just like Scooter
Sherrill.’’
So there you have it. There will be not one, but
two Scooters motoring up and down the football field at West Rowan this season.
As Young says, ``You can never get
enough Scooters.’’
Unless, of course, you’re
a sports editor who is into first names.
Ronnie Gallagher is the sports editor of the
Post. |
Ronnie
