OPINION LETTER TO THE EDITOR – They lit the “H” last night.
When I moved to Hurricane nine years ago I quickly fell in love with local traditions like Peach days, the Pioneer day parade, and my favorite- the lighting of the “H” on the Hurricane Hills.
Every year during homecoming the H on the hill is light and burns for the whole valley to see, and every year I stand on my back porch and watch the H burn, look up at the stars and give thanks that I live in small town America where people still know you at the bank, the grocery store and where you can see a kid in a cowboy hat ride a horse down your street.
When the H is lit it reminds me that I’m home.
Hurricane is a blue-collar football town, a place in rural America where the local shops paint their windows Tiger red and black during the football season, a place where you “know” where everyone will be on a Friday night – at the game.
This brings us to number 8 – Brian Scott, former fullback for the Hurricane Tigers, 3-time state wrestling champion, State champion in Track, and State champion in Football, Brian had also received a mission call to serve in Uruguay for the LDS church.
Brian was laid to rest this weekend after a battle with Leukemia, he was just 20 years old.
My association with Brian was as a spectator, I had watched him play as a referee when he was just a kid and then later in the stands with my sons cheering him on as he ran over, through and past numerous defenders on his way to Hurricane’s first state championship.
The kid was a machine. I’ve seen a lot of high school football and many great players – Brain Scott was a kid that played like a man. We have all heard so many football clichés that they have almost become meaningless, but Brian Scott was truly a “one man wrecking crew” when he ran the ball.
Just ask some of the kids who played against him.
However; the legacy that Scott leaves is far more than football, wrestling or track he was a good – no; he was a great kid. How do I know this? His peers have told numerous stories on blogs, Facebook and social media that confirm that Brian was an All-star in life as well. Did you know that Scott was a 4.0 student? Did you know that he went out of his way to talk to and befriend kids who were being picked on and who struggled in school?
Few people knew this because the kid had a reputation as a quiet, humble guy who would be the last to let you know that he excelled at everything he came in contact with – to put it simply, he lived life to the fullest and lifted others.
Number 8’s star burned as brightly as one could shine in a town like Hurricane, I have spoken with numerous residents who have lived in town for many years and they all agree that Brian Scott was without question the greatest athlete that ever wore the red and black.
I believe that as the years fade Brian’s legacy will be remembered not as just a great athlete, but rather by the comments that keep repeating whenever his name is brought up: “He was just a great kid,” “He was just nice to everyone,” “He loved his family.”
A few nights ago I asked my 18-year-old daughter about Scott, I wanted to know how his peers felt about him – when asked, my daughter stopped what she was doing; looked me dead in the eye and said “he was a good kid” she paused a second and then said “Dad, he was a ‘really good’ kid.”
High praise indeed – kids know each other and they tell the truth, and Brian was certainly a good kid.
In my eyes Brian Scott will forever be that kid who always was moving forward, when he carried the football no one could stop him and I like to think that Leukemia didn’t stop him – it just gave him a chance to play for another team, and shine again like the star that he was on earth.
Last night they lit the “H”- and I spent a long time watching it alone outside in dark, I waited until the flames burned completely out and then I looked up at the stars and said a little prayer and thought about how strange it was that the H was lit and it was not homecoming.
Then I remembered that it “was” Homecoming and No. 8 had just scored again after running over, though, and past Leukemia – and I thought I heard the crowd cheer one last time.
Submitted by Jason Smith
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Twitter: @STGnews
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That was beautiful! Thanks for putting into words what so many of us feel!
What a tribute to someone who touched so many lives. Lighting the “H” also means he was being welcomed in Heaven.
thank you Jason, that was very sweet, and you really put into words the comfort of being in a small town at a time like this.
So beautifully written. Thank you
Great job, Jason! Beautiful words. Did you know he was an Eagle Scout also. He truly is home.
Jason, you are so awesome! Thank you for saying so beautifully what we all feel
Well done Jason. Aren’t these the words we hope people will say of our own children and ourselves one day. I want my kids to be able to be called “really good kids” and I hope one day there will be spoken of me the same. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Truly appreciated.