Lions have major threat in Scoot

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Lions have major threat in Scoot

By The Charlotte Observer – August 10, 2010

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By Jay Edwards
Observer Special Correspondent

Scoot Simmons loves to run. For the past three seasons, the West Charlotte High running back has done a lot of it, totaling nearly 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns.

But running all over the place wasn't always so easy for Simmons, who got his nickname from his father, Donald Simmons, when he was just a toddler because he wasn't on his feet all the time.

"My dad said when I was younger, a lot of times, he would catch me just scooting across the floor, not walking or running," Simmons said, whose given name is Jalen. "He started calling me 'Scoot' then, and the name stuck and people have called me that ever since."

Nowadays, Scoot strikes fear in opposing defenses throughout North Carolina.

Simmons began to get noticed when he was a freshman. After a full junior varsity season, Scoot was brought up to the varsity for the playoffs. Simmons started the first-round game against the Providence and became a factor for the Lions, who went 13-2 before losing in the state semifinals to Independence.

"Starting in that first playoff game, just gave a taste of what I thought I could do," Simmons said. "From there, I knew I wanted to be a star."

Simmons has been a fixture in the Lions' backfield ever since. As a sophomore, he rushed for more than 1,500 yards on a team that went 9-4 overall, 6-0 in the ME-CA 7 4A to win the conference title.

"Scoot Simmons is one of those guys that you have to game plan to stop," North Mecklenburg coach Mike Bradley said. "He has been one of the best players in our league since he stepped on the field."

Last season, Simmons and Lions ran into tougher times in the I-Meck 4A, going 5-7 overall, including 3-3 in conference play. Simmons, who rushed for just more than 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns, fought nagging injuries all season.

"I was very frustrated with the injuries because I felt that I couldn't give 100percent of my ability to my team on every play," Simmons said, who missed only one game. "We had the talent, but we didn't show all of the time on the field. We didn't play West Charlotte football."

Simmons got off to a great start during this offseason, participating in a clinic at the U.S. Army All-American game in San Antonio in January, then committing to Duke and coach David Cutcliffe in February.

Simmons, who ran a personal-best 4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash at Duke's football camp, also has increased his strength - raising his bench press max to 285 pounds.

"I had a great offseason, but I have a lot of things I still want to do in high school," Simmons said. "I don't want to leave West Charlotte without a state championship."

That means Simmons is talking title as he begins playing for his fourth coach in four years at West Charlotte.

Marcus Surratt, a former West Charlotte defensive coordinator, follows former coach Jeff Simpson, who followed Aaron Brand, who took over for Maurice Flowers, the coach when Simmons got to West Charlotte.

Despite another change, Simmons think the Lions have what it takes to win often. He plans on being a major part of the success when they begin Aug. 20 at East Mecklenburg. Simmons plans on that just being the beginning of what he wants to be a memorable season.

"I've proven that I'm one of the best running backs in Charlotte and in the state, but I want more than that," Simmons said. "I want to be one of those players that people still talk about in 10 years when I'm playing the league (NFL). I want to be one of the best" ever.