Overall, the fall sports teams either maintained their recent level of success or rose above the bar they set last season to exceed expectations in 2010.
Speaking of the football team, who would have thought after last season’s record that the Fighting Scots would have a chance to tie for the Southeastern Conference’s crown?
The football team took great strides and showed maturity throughout every phase of their team this season, starting first with quarterback Kwashaun Quick.
This season under center, Quick has demolished opposing defenses, especially in conference play.
Against his four SEC foes this season, Quick has completed 42-of-69 passes, good for 61 percent. In the SEC, Quick has thrown for 593 yards, including a 265 yard performance to beat a Hoke team that had Scotland down 40-14.
The Fighting Scots’ defense is allowing just 18.3 points per game, adding to the turnaround in 2010.
With the rivalry game against Richmond coming up this week, it’s been an exciting time for fans to have the last few weeks of the season mean something.
The program has bought into head coach Chip William’s game plan and the athletes are in place to return Scotland to a competitive team in the SEC year in and year out.
The proverbial corner has been turned, now let’s hope the team can improve on their current 7-3 record and earn that first win against the Raiders in 15 years.
Speaking of teams coming out and performing, the Scotland volleyball team continued their mini-dynasty in the Southeastern Conference this season, finishing the year with a perfect 10-0 record.
The Scots won their sixth straight conference title this season and their second conference tournament title in as many tries, continuing the tradition that head coach David Barnes built when he started coaching the team nine years ago.
Scotland made it to the fourth round of the state playoffs, falling to familiar rival J.H. Rose in four sets.
No one is going to fault the Scots for losing to the 10th ranked team in the nation and we need to remember the remarkable season that the team put forth this year.
Very few schools can maintain the consistency this program has. Throughout my time working with the volleyball program here and at UNCP, I found that the game is one of the most exciting sports to watch, and it was a pleasure watching the team give it their all each and every night.
Despite their exit in the state tournament, five players saw their season accomplishments honored this week with a spot on the all-SEC team.
Seniors Ashley Paolozzi and Sarah Laviner, juniors Sarah Cross and Taborah Hollingsworth and sophomore Caroline Pridgen were honored with spots on the squad and head coach David Barnes was named Coach of the Year.
I’d say that’s pretty good work for a single season, wouldn’t you?
Finally, we can’t forget the efforts of the men’s soccer program that saw their season end this week in the first round of the state playoffs against Athens Drive.
The team finished third overall in the conference and, even though they exited the state tournament early, made an appearance for the first time in three years.
Head coach Colin McDavid said that he enjoyed the season and expects even bigger things next year.
“I really did enjoy the season,” McDavid said. “We had a real good group of hard working guys that gave it their all each week. It was a pleasure sharing this season with them.”
So when you look back and remember Scotland sports this winter, remember that the teams and players worked hard each and every week to deliver you the quality athletics that we’ve come accustomed to over the years.
In the end, all you can do is ask for your teams to work hard and try their best, but when they exceed their goals and star
under the brightest of lights, it brings out the magic of high school sports that we all can remember from our own glory days.
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