The water stood ankle deep as Afton Scott stood on the sideline during the 1982 football state championship game in West Memphis.
The downpour couldn't stop Scott on the field, even as conditions worsened as the game went on. The Springdale High running back broke the biggest run of his life in the third quarter, sloshing through five inches of water as he outran the West Memphis defense for a 40-yard, go-ahead touchdown that proved to be the game-winner in Springdale's 10-7 victory.
Springdale High Athletic Hall Of Fame
Induction Ceremony: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, Springdale High cafeteria
Info/Tickets: 479-750-1680
Inductee^Graduation Year
Jerry Delozier^1953
Jerry Brewer^1958
Ron Baker^1963
Rick Fine^1979
Afton Scott^1984
Craig McKee^1991
Aaron Adams^1991
Paige Farrell-Rollins^2004
Meagan Pless^2004
Bill Carter^Meritorious Service
"(The water) made it difficult to do anything," Scott said. "But it was a good moment. It was a good experience."
The touchdown run helped the Bulldogs secure the fifth of their seven state titles, including the first of two titles in an eight-year period (1989). Scott earned all-conference and all-state honors as a senior, but playing such a key role in the title game tops all other memories.
The run and the accolades led to Scott, a 1984 graduate, being inducted into the Springdale High Athletic Hall of Fame this year, joining several teammates from the state title team who were inducted in past years.
"I'm quite honored," Scott said. "I don't know that I deserve to be there, but it is an honor for them to think so. So that's great."
Scott was a three-year varsity player for the Bulldogs, shining at running back and cornerback for several very talented Springdale teams. His senior season, the Bulldogs were undefeated through the regular season before losing to a talented Little Rock Parkview team that included Keith Jackson in the state semifinals.
"They had three players that went on to play D-I ball," Scott said. "They were real good. ... We had a good team all three years I was there. We had a pretty good group of guys come through. There wasn't a star on any of them. We were just pretty good. Played hard. Played together."
Scott didn't play football while attending the University of Arkansas, but he never strayed far from the sport.
He began working as an official as 19-year-old, a role he still fills on Thursday and Friday nights. He gets to stay in Northwest Arkansas for junior high games, but often travels south to ref games at schools like Russellville and Clarksville.
"It's been a lot fun over the years," Scott said. "Met a lot of good friends, good people."
Scott still has a lot of friends from his high school playing days, too. Several are expected to be at the Aug. 9 induction ceremony, while legendary football coach Jarrell Williams and football assistant and long-time basketball coach Charlie Smith should also be in attendance.
The ceremony will be an opportunity to relive old memories, like Scott's long run to earn a ring.
"A lot of us those guys stayed around here," Scott said. "We're all friends. We see each other. We've got families now."
Sports on 08/01/2014