By: Greg Higgins
eParisExtra.com
Scott Scudder – North Lamar’s Offensive Line and Cornerbacks Coach
Mention the name Scott Scudder and most people in the Paris area know who you are talking about. Scudder grew up in the area and attended Prairiland High School. However, it’s the fact that Scudder was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 1986 for which most people around here remember him. Drafted as a pitcher, he would help them win the World Series in 1990.
These days, however, you can find Scott standing on the sidelines for North Lamar football games. Scudder coaches the offensive line, with Coach Denman, and he also coaches cornerbacks for the Panthers. Coming from a coaching family, Scudder has a good understanding of what needs to be done as a coach according to North Lamar’s head coach, Tommy Felty.
“The offensive line was something I always did,” Felty said. “I felt comfortable turning it over to [Scudder and Denman].”
Scudder, now in his fifteenth season with the Panthers has been coaching the offensive line the entire time and it’s something he enjoys doing. “I take a lot of pride in coaching the offensive line,” he says. “Really, I wouldn’t want to coach anything else.” Scudder goes on to describe how he likes the strategies and the physical play that is involved. “We try to be physical up front and that appeals to me.”
From day one, the coaching staff has been stressing the importance of communication and working as a team and it’s paying off. North Lamar’s ground game thus far has been fairly successful. “Usually when you see the big runs, it’s five guys that put it together,” he says.
Coach Scudder isn’t too quick to take all the credit either. “The backs sometimes make [the offensive line] look good,” he quickly points out. “I’ve been pleased with us so far early this season…we’ve got a good smart group to work with.”
The North Lamar offense is built around ball control and moving the chains. This type of offense means it’s critical for the offensive line to execute the proper blocks. “We really stress ball control, protecting the short passing game, and protecting the passer,” he says about his offensive line. “We like to see 10 to 12 play drives.”
When Scudder’s not on the sideline, he can usually be found with his family doing something outdoors. “We enjoy hunting, fishing, and water sports,” he says. “As a coach, we spend so much time at work and at the school, that a lot of my leisure time is spent at home with my family.”
Whether he’s throwing a fastball past Jose Canseco during the World Series, or teaching an 11th grader how to properly block a defender, Scott Scudder takes pride in what he does. “I’m highly competitive, and I like to win,” he says. “If you’re competitive you can learn the ins and outs or details of coaching a specific position like the offensive line.” Perhaps, that’s what has made him good at what he does.
Greg Higgins - Sports Editor Greg has lived in the Paris area for most of his life and is a huge sports fan. He loves talking about sports and writing about it. Greg has been a part of eparisextra since the beginning of 2012. He is also very active in his church. When he's not writing about or watching sports, you can find him working out or hanging out with his wife.
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