By Ryan Bisesi
rbisesi@salisburypost.com
CHINA GROVE – Myquon Stout didn’t go trick-or-treating last night, even though he could have went as a bully with his commanding physique.
But the 6-foot-1, 250-pound junior reserves all his physicality for Friday nights on the field where he frightens opposing backfields. He passes the look test, no doubt. But what the look test won’t reveal is that Stout, has the intellect and a soft-spoken demeanor that make him a coach’s player. Add a state 3A championship in the shot put and a starting role on the basketball team and you’ve got a dominant athlete with a 365-pound bench press and a 3.68 GPA.
Carson coach Mark Woody enjoys Stout’s distinct blend of athleticism and personality.
“He’s extremely likable,” Woody said. “He’s truly a unique young man. He’s intelligent inside and outside the classroom and he’s a good football player. The kids look up to him.”
Stout was wreaking havoc again in Friday’s win against North Iredell as Carson became postseason-eligible. Carson held North to just 89 yards rushing and only one first-quarter touchdown. The defense looks up to Stout and uses his play as an example of how to play.
“It wasn’t just me, it was the whole defense,” Stout said. “Everybody gave 100 percent.”
Emotionally, Stout is more of a quiet leader that lets his play do the talking. Woody likens Stout to himself in that regard. He was all-conference last year and is a likely candidate this year for all-county.
“He’s not a big rah-rah guy, kind of like me,” Woody said. “We just try to prepare the kids to play.”
Stout is malleable, having played defensive tackle and defensive end, in addition to linebacker this year. He doesn’t have a preferred position, but looked pretty good at DT against North.
“That’s what he is and he’s really good at it,” Woody said. “His physical presence makes him stand out. He’s a muscular kid that works hard in the weight room.”
The Cougars went back to their 4-3 formation last week after dwelling in the 3-4 for a couple games.
“The 3-4 was harder and was new for everybody,” Stout said. “In the 4-3, everyone reads their keys. There’s a lot of reading. It’s hand-in-hand.”
Carson was 1-6 four weeks ago with some work to do to make the postseason. They saddled up and won three of the last four to become playoff eligible.
“We’ve been working really hard these last few weeks,” Stout said.
East Rowan looms in the playoff opener. Carson trailed 13-7 going into the fourth quarter before an 89-yard touchdown pass gave East separation. The Cougars need to avenge that loss to keep their season alive.
“I feel like we’re going to come through with a victory,” Stout said.