The NKyTribune will be offering focused coverage of NKY high school football throughout the season, thanks to support from St. Elizabeth Healthcare Sports Medicine. See all our pre-season features on each of NKY’s 21 high school football teams and follow our coverage, including roundups each week at Northern Kentucky High School Football.
By Brett Bibbins
NKyTribune contributor
It should come as no surprise that the Scott football team plans to run the ball right at opponents this season. After averaging more than 41 rushing attempts and only seven pass plays per game last season, coach Dan Woolley knows what the Eagles do best and he has last year’s top two running back returning to lead the offense once again.
“Everybody knows and it’s no secret that we’re a run-heavy team and play-action pass,” said Woolley, who has been the head coach at Scott since 2012.
Roberto London and Deondre Pleasant are the veteran running backs returning from last year’s 6-4 team that averaged 273 rushing yards per game.
London was the team’s offensive leader. He picked up 940 yards on 164 carries and scored nine of his 11 touchdowns on the ground. He was also the Eagles’ leading pass receiver with 11 catches for 145 yards and two TDs.
The other part of the Eagles’ double-threat rushing attack is Pleasant, who picked up 843 yards on 82 carries with seven TDs. He also caught 11 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown.
Having two guys in the backfield as talented as London and Pleasant is a luxury that coach Woolley is taking full advantage of once again this year.
“Both of them have the ability to score every time they touch the ball,” Woolley said. “They’re both very special players. I think they’re one of the best (backfield) combinations in Northern Kentucky, if not the best.”
How well the two running backs play does not go unnoticed by their teammates, especially senior quarterback Danny Fitzgerald.
“It’s crazy to watch them and how they work together,” Fitzgerald said. “They’re so strong and so elusive. It really is amazing to watch.”
Scott’s one-two punch in the backfield is especially effective due to the different running styles that each player brings to the table. London is a workhorse who averaged 5.7 yards per carry last season while Pleasant is a big-play threat who averaged 10.2 yards per carry.
“I would say they have different styles,” said Fitzgerald. “Roberto is faster and more elusive while Deondre is definitely a stronger runner, but he can also be very elusive as well.”
Scott was moved to Class 4A in the new statewide alignment. Woolley is hoping the change will lead to more success on the field after the Eagles compiled an 18-14 record in Class 5A during his first three seasons as head coach.
“We’re going to be playing teams with numbers more par with us and talent more par with us,” Woolley said.
The change in class coupled with the highly touted running attack have the Eagles hoping to host a playoff game for the first time in team history. To do that, they need to finish first or second in the new Class 4A district that also includes Bourbon County, Harrison County, Holmes and Mason County.
“It would be spectacular. It would definitely be something to remember,” Fitzgerald said as a big smile came to his face.
With the talent that the Eagles have this season, Woolley believes they can accomplish their goal, but the players have to focus on each game as it comes.
“It’d be nice to make history, but we just want to play the best that this team can play,” Woolley said. “If we can keep getting better and improving week to week, that’s what we aim to do.”
SCOTT EAGLES
2014 SEASON: 6-4 record, lost in first round of Class 4A state playoffs.
THIS SEASON: Class 4A, District 7 with Bourbon County, Harrison County, Holmes, Mason County.
COACH: Dan Woolley (18-14 in three seasons at Scott).
2015 SCHEDULE
Aug. 21 – NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC, 7 p.m.
Aug. 28 – at Dixie Heights, 7 p.m.
Sept. 4 – at Newport, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11 – CONNER, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18 – at Holy Cross, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25 – at Mason County, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 – HARRISON COUNTY, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 – BOURBON COUNTY, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 – at Holmes, 7 p.m.
Oct. 30 – SIMON KENTON, 7 p.m.
See these NKyTribune prep football previews:
Bishop Brossart
Ludlow
Campbell County
Highlands
Dixie Heights
Bellevue
Newport
NewCath
Conner
Covington Catholic
Holmes
Dayton
Ryle
will you be interviewing Boone Co and if so when will it be on website?
Thank You
Of course. We are doing all 21 high schools in Boone, Kenton and Campbell. Will get back to you on when Boone County is actually on the schedule. We’re about half-way through.
Donna — hope you saw the Boone County football story. You can see it now.