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SAPPINGTON — Football is in ²ú±ô´Ç´Ç»å.Ìý

Plain and simple. The senior running back grew up hearing stories about his grandfather bulldozing and running past defenders on the gridiron. 

So when it came down to choosing his college, Scott had to keep it in the family and verbally committed in June to play for Missouri State.

"When I was growing up, (my grandfather) was always telling me stories about football," Scott said. "Even my mom and my dad told me that my first word was football. So, ever since I was growing up, I always loved football."

Scott, the No. 27 recruit on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown of the area’s top senior college football prospects, hopes to go out soaring this season for the Hawks.

 — the deepest postseason run in program history — before falling to Seneca.

"He gives us a big force," Woolfolk said. "You've got to start with the run game. Everything will open up based on what he does. He's a big downhill running back for us. I'm excited to see him really, you know, get behind his pads and then show the speed in the open field."

As a junior, the 6-foot-3 and 205-pound Scott was third for the Hawks in all-purpose yards with 412, including a team-leading 367 on the ground with a team-high five rushing touchdowns.

Woolfolk was one of the offensive architects behind St. Mary's back-to-back state championships in 2021 and 2022 as an assistant coach. He said he sees some similarities between Scott and the feature back when he was with the Dragons — Jamal Roberts, who now plays for the University of Missouri.

"He gets downhill and gets behind his pads," Woolfolk said. "That's the resemblance of Jamal. I think his selflessness is similar to that of Jamal Roberts. Man, great kid, great character kid. And the same for this kid, you know, he comes up whatever the team needs."

Scott was an all-around leader in his first season for the Hawks after playing as a freshman and sophomore at Chaminade. His sophomore season with the Red Devils, Scott was an all-Metro Catholic Conference second team selection as an athlete.

In his debut season with Lift for Life, Scott had his biggest rushing game at a good time. He ran for 93 yards during at 14-10 victory at John Burroughs in the Class 3 District 2 final.

And as effective as Scott was running with the ball last season, he pointed to his offensive line to his success.

"I actually go to my line and I tap every single one to them and say, 'Don't let me get touched,' " Scott said. "So I love my whole line. They definitely help."

Scott also received offers from Lindenwood and Western Illinois before following in his grandfather's footsteps to Springfield, Mo.

Missouri State is moving this season into Conference USA as a member of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision for the first time.

"They showed an interest, and it's close to home," Scott said. "They have a good staff. They've got new facilities. They recently just moved up to FBS. They have a great schedule, great competition and I just liked it there. And the players were very welcoming."

Scott hopes to be more productive in his final high school season on both sides of the ball.

And with his future planned out, he has turned his attention to finishing his high school career in the only way he would considers it a success.

"Last year was our first year with (Woolfolk) as a head coach and we made it to the semifinals," Scott said. "Second year with him, we're definitely coming for state."