Gator lets it all hang out on (and once off) field
Junior Scott Mays leads Land O'Lakes in tackles and has given the running and passing games a boost.
By JAMAL THALJI
Published November 13, 2003
LAND O'LAKES - Scott Mays didn't open his mouth during the season opener at Zephyrhills.
He didn't ask for a breather. Save for a few plays, he spent the entire game for Land O'Lakes on the field, at fullback and inside linebacker.
But he didn't tell his coaches how tired he was.
Instead, he showed them.
He vomited on the bus ride home.
Back at school Monday, the exhausted Mays lasted until third period. He went home and was bedridden that week. He couldn't hold any food. He wasn't back to his old self until the next game.
"I didn't really think about coming out," Mays said. "When you're out there, you keep going, even if you're tired."
That's Mays in a nutshell right there. He lets his play do his talking for him.
"I've always been just a quiet person. I kind of keep to myself," Mays said. "I try to always lead by example. I always try to work hard, and hopefully, it shows."
This season, the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Mays has been as loud as ever. For a consecutive season, the junior leads the playoff-bound Gators in tackles with 101 and 43 assists.
He has given the running game a needed boost, rushing 30 times for 117 yards and three touchdowns. His newest job is pass receiver, and coming out of the backfield, he has caught 12 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns.
After a 2-4 start, Land O'Lakes has won four consecutive games, clinched the Class 4A, District 7 title and hosts Auburndale in Friday's playoff opener. Mays' quiet leadership and steady production has been a big part of that turnaround. He's not yet a senior, but he looks, acts and plays like one.
"He's just a great player. You wouldn't trade him for anyone in the world," quarterback Drew Weatherford said. "He's like a senior now. He's a captain of this team. He just goes out there, keeps his mouth shut, works hard and shows everybody by his actions, not necessarily by his words."
Coach John Benedetto said Mays is eminently coachable: What the coaches say, he does.
"He always goes out and does what he's coached to do," Benedetto said. "He's a silent leader.
"He's always played like an older, more experienced player. Even when we first put him in as a starter in the first game of the 2002 season, he's always appeared to be an experienced, older player."
But Benedetto admits what Mays does best isn't the product of coaching. His natural instincts make him a sure-handed tackler.
"He has a knack for the football," Benedetto said. "He's able to do things you don't coach; take on blocks, find the football, make the tackle.
"Any time when you need a big play, it seems like Scott is going to be the one to make that play."
Mays said he can't exactly explain why he's a good tackler. He just is.
"It's something I've been doing since I was 7," he said. "I've been playing linebacker since I was a little kid, and I've just grown up that way, I guess.
"There's no secret. You just read your keys, and hopefully, you make the right call."
