When Scott was running for almost 2,000 yards as a high school senior at Concord, few noticed because Maddox was leading rival Kannapolis to the state 3A championship.

Last season, Maddox was rated as the top prep running back in the nation while Scott disappeared into redshirt obscurity at Wake Forest.

And then Saturday, in the Demon Deacons’ resounding 31-7 Atlantic Coast Conference victory over N.C. State at Groves Stadium, Scott was given the chance to run the ball for the first time in his college career.

Again, hardly anyone noticed because Maddox was making his North Carolina debut for Florida State 90 minutes down the road in Chapel Hill.

After gaining 16 yards on seven carries on Wake’s last drive, there was one reporter asking for Scott. In Chapel Hill, after a 39-yard performance, Maddox was surrounded by a horde of TVcameras and media.

And so it goes for Scott, who laughs off the perceived rivalry between two of Cabarrus County’s best runners ever.

“Me and Nick are good friends,” Scott said. “A lot of people make it out to be bigger than it is. We’re just two young guys out there having fun.”

n

Scott had the most fun of his short Wake Forest career Saturday. When senior tailback Kito Gary went down with a broken arm early in the fourth period, the redshirt freshman was called for duty in his first college game.

“I wasn’t expecting to get in,” Scott said. “I wanted playing time but not that way. I feel bad for Kito.

“When Coach called my name, it was pretty exciting. I knew it was my time to do something. It’s the first time I’ve been in a game in about two years.”

Wake coach Jim Caldwell made sure Scott’s first game was a memorable one. Scott, who entered with 4:52 left, ran four yards on his initial college try and Caldwell kept calling his number. He ran seven of the eight plays in the drive.

“I was a little nervous,” admitted Scott, “but after that first play, it was just like I was in high school again.”

On third and five, he scampered through a big hole for 10 yards and a first down.

“Actually, it felt easier running here than it did in high school,” Scott said. “Coach Caldwell challenged the line and said we were going to run the ball. They played their hearts out.”

n

Caldwell seemed just as happy for Scott.

“We were looking for an opportunity to get him in,” the seventh-year coach said. “We have a good group of backs and I think he will be a very fine player one day.”

Scott entered the game with freshman quarterback C.J. Leak, promoted as Wake’s most important recruit ever. It should be noted that Scott and Leak may very well be the future.

Quarterback Ben Sankey, running back Morgan Kane (33 carries for 148 yards against State) and Gary are all seniors. Chris McCoy, another tailback, is a junior.

“We’re deep,” Scott said. “The seniors are pretty much holding their own and us young guys are trying to push them. Coach says to keep practicing hard. I still have three more years after this one.”

n

Like Leak, Scott had to ignore the Demon Deacon detractors who told him he would never win in Winston-Salem.

“No. 1 is the academics,” Scott said of his college choice. “No. 2, I saw a program on the rise and I wanted to be a part of it. We’re talking about this team being in a bowl every season and if we played like we did today, it will be a good four years.”

Scott is also excited that Caldwell has decided that for Wake (2-1, 1-0) to win, the running game must flourish. The Deacons ran for 266 yards Saturday on a whopping 66 carries.

“I know throwing the ball is entertaining but I’d rather win than be entertaining,” Caldwell said. “We’re not going to be pass-happy. Time of possession is so important and that’s where the running game comes in.”

It leaves Scott beaming. He used his redshirt year to gain 20 pounds and is now up to a sturdy 205, with increased speed.

So three years from now, who knows? Scott may be the one with cameras and the media leaning on his every word. Scott even dreams of what reporters might be asking.

“Ihope we’ll be talking about the Heisman race,” he said with a big grin, “and hopefully about being in the NFL one day.”

Heisman Trophy talk? The NFL?

If those goals are reached, Nick Maddox might finally have to share the spotlight.

n