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| This year, Maryville is getting the key stops when it needs them in late game situations. Maryville athletics photo by Suzi Caroll |
By Brian Lester
D3sports.com
Something feels different on the Maryville campus in the middle of September as the football team is off and running at 3-0.
More excitement. More energy. All of it generated by a Scots team that has flipped the script from a year ago at this time when it started 0-3.
“There’s definitely a buzz around campus,” junior linebacker Devon White said. “More high spirits. There’s just a great buzz for the athletic program all the way around.”
Sophomore quarterback Bryson Rollins, the USA South Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 and a team captain this year, echoes those thoughts.
“It’s exciting that we are 3-0. It looks a lot different, and walking around campus, it feels a lot different,” Rollins said. “But we also have to stay focused. That’s our job. At the end of each week, we want to come out 1-0.”
It’s the focus part that has been emphasized time and again by head coach Ben Fox and his staff. Of course, that doesn’t mean he wants to keep his players from enjoying the early-season success.
“Your focus has to be where your feet are,” Fox said. “I want the guys to enjoy winning. I want them to celebrate the plays they make and enjoy being around each other. But we also need to focus on the main thing, and that’s to be relentless in our pursuit of improvement. To try and get better each week.”
So far, that plan has been executed, its latest victory a 27-20 win over Shenandoah in which the Scots led 20-3 early before needing a key defensive stop late to seal the deal.
Shenandoah had the ball with 35 seconds to play at its own 35-yard line and never left that spot.
The players were thrilled for sure to notch another victory, and it’s the kind of moment that speaks to what Fox often talks about.
“We’ve learned that winning is hard. It’s hard to win football games. Anytime you do, you have to enjoy it,” Fox said.
A year ago at this time, the Scots were not only winless, but two of their losses came in heartbreaking fashion.
Maryville lost its opener 31-24 to Berry, which scored with 13 seconds left, and lost 34-29 to Shenandoah in Week 3 despite rallying from a 28-7 halftime deficit to take a 29-28 lead. The Hornets scored the game winner with 24 seconds to play.
“We’ve made a 180 degree flip from last year,” White said. “We’re winning the close games and we’re taking it week by week. Last year, I think we looked ahead a little bit. We’re trying to be 1-0 every week. That’s our goal.”
Maryville finished 5-5 last season, winning five of its last seven. That success set the tone for an offseason that featured added dedication.
“A lot of us stayed over the summer. We’d wake up at 6 a.m. and work four days a week. It’s paid off. And we’re looking for it to pay off as we go into USA South play,” White said.
Rollins said the willingness to work stemmed, in part, from the belief that the Scots could build off its strong finish to 2022.
“We knew this season could be different,” Rollins said. “We’d get into the weight room this summer and just put in work. We all want to win. I think the mindset changed (after the 0-3 start) that we can win football games, and we have a lot more confidence in the things that we are doing.”
Fox said the work ethic his team has put on display ties into what he firmly believes in.
“Here is what is great about football. You don’t get what you want. If everyone got what they wanted, they’d all be undefeated,” Fox said. “You get what you earn. That’s what I enjoy. You earn the right to win with work and commitment and the stuff you do on and off the field. It doesn’t mean you are going to win, but you are at least worthy of winning.”
Fox adds that this is a team where the players ‘really care a lot about each other’ and a team that has benefitted from solid leadership.
“We have good leadership from our seniors, and with the other classes, everyone believes in what we are doing," Fox said. "And they all play hard. That’s the hallmark you want for your team, that you play hard, and so far, we’ve done that.”
Rollins, who led the league in touchdown passes (24) last season, has anchored the offense, throwing for 747 yards and seven scores. He’s also rushed for two touchdowns. His top target has been Nick Dagel, who has 13 catches for 204 yards and two scores.
Rollins said the offense is starting to get into a groove but there’s still work to do.
“We’re not scoring as many points as we’d like to, but we’re getting better each week,” Rollins said. “We come in each day trying to get better. I’m finding my playmakers and spreading the ball around to give us the best chance to win.”
White, who tied for the team lead in tackles (56) last year and already has a team-best 19 this season, said from a defensive standpoint, the Scots have been aggressive and never satisfied.
White is one of four players with at least 11 tackles. Kial Cottingham (15), Tyler Bost (14) and Jacob Berven (11) are the others.
“We’re comfortable with each other and we’re flying around making plays,” White said. “We’re making stops when we have to and working on fixing the little things that we see on film.”
Conference play begins Saturday on the road against Brevard and the Scots want to be at their best for that game.
“In the team meeting before every practice the last thing I tell them is to be a better player at the end of practice than you are right now. Get better every day,” Fox said. “If you do that, and with the talent and coaches we have, I think we are good enough to have a chance to win no matter who we play as long as we continue to get better and reach our full potential.”
The players are ready to do what it takes to reach that potential.
“We have to stay humble and focused," Rollins said. "We can’t let our record and all that get to our heads. We have to focus on our main job, which is coming out every week and winning.”
White agrees.
“It’s been smiles after every Saturday. Happy times," White said. "But we know we have more important goals. We want to win a ring. We want a USA South championship and we want to compete in the playoffs. We just have stay level-headed and try to go 1-0 every week.”
