LAURINBURG — Senior running back Syheam McQueen has a message for those who don’t believe in Scotland as the team prepares for the state playoffs to begin on Friday.
“Don’t sleep too much. We’re coming,” McQueen said.
No. 10 Scotland, a competitor in the 4A East bracket, plays at No. 7 Durham Jordan at 7:30 p.m. on Friday
Scotland entered the playoffs as a No. 1 seed the last two seasons after taking the No. 2 seed in 2015.
“We’ve been at the top every year, so it’s just a different feeling, being doubted,” senior defensive back Tyshuon Thomas said.
But the seniors believe that the Scots will benefit from being an underdog.
“It’s always the underdog you have to watch out for,” senior Joseph McKoy said. “I feel good coming in knowing everyone’s doubting us. It’ll feel good to prove somebody wrong.”
McKoy is a running back and defensive back for the Scots. He said he’s confident in his team’s ability to get a playoff win on the road.
“Our O-line is healthy, so I feel great about this game,” McKoy said.
If Scotland defeats Jordan, they’ll move on to play No. 2 Cardinal Gibbons next week. Cardinal Gibbons has a bye in the first round.
And a win would also extend the high school football careers of Scotland’s seniors.
“It means a lot for the seniors,” McQueen said. “We’ve still got a dream of making it to the state championship game.”
Nine of the 10 seniors have been able to contribute for the Scots this season. Linebacker Josh McKenzie suffered a season-ending ACL tear during a preseason workout.
Those contributions have been meaningful for a young team that lost 32 of it seniors from last year and had its roster depleted even further by several injuries this season.
The Scots finished the regular season with an overall record of 5-5. That came after the Scots lost a combined six games from 2014 to 2017.
But their regular season record means very little now, and head coach Richard Bailey said his team needs to comprehend how important this week is for their senior class and for the program as a whole.
“Hopefully our kids understand the finality of this,” Bailey said. “If we don’t go ready to play, then it’s going to be over, and we’re going to have some disappointed seniors and some disappointed coaches. I think we’re capable of making a little run here. Regardless of how our season has gone so far, I think we have a good enough football team to advance in the playoffs.”
Friday’s game will take place at Claude Currie Stadium in Durham.
