January 27, 2023

13 and One

A football player in a gray, white, and maroon jersey holds a gloved hand over his mouth as tears roll down his face.

JW “JDub” Scott, a senior at State College Area High School, was voted one of four captains for the 2022 Little Lions football team. Scott helped lead his team to an undefeated, 10-0 regular season, State High’s best finish since 2008. All but one of the Little Lions’ regular-season games were decided by double digits and set up what looked like the school’s best chance at a Pennsylvania state title in years.

Three high school boys in maroon football jerseys stand in front of their team.

JW Scott celebrates with his football team after winning the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association District 6 Championship game against Altoona Area High School, 28-7, on Nov. 10, 2022. State High completed an undefeated, 10-0 regular season in 2022, its best finish since 2008.

Scott and State High’s playoff run started at Bald Eagle High School on Nov. 10, squaring off in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association 6A District 6 against cross-town rival Altoona. The Little Lions walked away with a relatively easy, 28-7 victory, and Scott danced his way off the field with his teammates.

“A tremendous leader,” according to State High head coach Matt Lintal, Scott was one of the figureheads throughout practice as the playoff run continued. Scott isn’t a quiet leader, often joking with teammates, dancing through practices and leading with his voice just as much as he does with his performance, which would eventually net him a Division I scholarship to continue playing football.

A football player on the left in a maroon jersey, black pants, and a maroon helmet with the capital letter S on the side watches as another player in uniform displays his form for crouching at the line of scrimmage.

Scott, right, works with sophomore Darryl Lunon III on pass rushing techniques.

In his free time, Scott said he’s usually playing video games or hanging out with friends. On a typical weeknight, he’s over at friends’ houses or playing basketball at the State College YMCA. He occasionally stays with friends, too, because his dad, John Scott, travels frequently to recruit as Penn State football’s defensive line coach. JW is a popular face around State High, too, sitting at the front of the student section at basketball games when he’s not running the clock as the team’s manager. His personality isn’t confined to the football field, evidenced by his national anthem salute while his pants were around his ankles at State High’s basketball season opener.

Two teens in navy shirts sit in front of a tv monitor playing a basketball video game.

Scott with close friend Tony Herzing, left, and Chloe Poindexter. Scott said he feels most in his natural element with Herzing. he stays at the Poindexter house when his dad, Penn State Football defensive coach John Scott, is on the road recruiting.

The Little Lions went back to their home stadium in the second week of the state playoffs against Erie McDowell, eventually winning a three-overtime thriller, 57-50, closing it on a forced fumble. Scott and State High moved on to play Harrisburg in the state semifinals, a team they beat, 20-6, on the road during the regular season. The game was played at Mansion Park in Altoona, the same field State High was eliminated at in the 2021 semifinals.

Several teens stand on the side of a wood basketball floor clapping their hands. One is a black teen wearing a red Bass Pro Shop cap, red sweatshirt, and has shorts on with the pattern of the Unites States flag. His friend has a backwards black baseball hat and gray hoodie sweatshirt.

Scott stops by State High's first basketball game of the season. Scott dropped his pants and saluted during 'The Star Spangled Banner,' revealing American flag shorts.

Several members of a football team in dark grey uniforms with maroon helmets emblazoned with a capital S stand awaiting the start of a game. Number 11 is featured in the foreground with a clear plastic face sheild.

Scott waits for the kickoff against Harrisburg High School in the PIAA 6A State Championship Semifinal.

State High scored first and held a narrow 7-0 lead at halftime of a defensive battle, highlighted by a fourth-down sack from JW. A scoreless third quarter from both teams gave way to Harrisburg’s first points of the game in the fourth quarter, as the Cougars scored 27 unanswered points to put a heartbreaking end to State High’s 2022 season, a far–too-similar fate to the one it suffered a year ago.

Football player number eleven wearing a dark gray jersey with maroon helmet is laid out on the turn as he grabs the left leg of a quarterback dressed in white uniform and number eight leading to a sack.

Scott sacks Harrisburg quarterback Shawn Lee late in the second quarter of State High's Pennsylvania State Semifinal game. State High carried a narrow 7-0 lead into halftime, in large part thanks to JW's sack on a pivotal fourth down.

JW and the entire State High team consoled each other with hugs and tears from player to player, coach to coach and coach to player. JW also met with his dad, who offered words of encouragement despite the loss and subsequent end to JW’s high school career. He holds offers from five Division I schools — Long Island, New Hampshire, Fordham, Butler and Gardner-Webb.

A football player wearing a dark gray jersey with number eleven and a maroon helmet celebrates on a football field.

JW Scott celebrates his sack of Harrisburg's Shawn Lee. The stop helped propel State High into halftime of the state semifinals with a narrow lead. The tide turned in the second half.

Credit: Max Ralph

UPDATE: Since this story published, JW signed to play at Fordham.