Jeff Bartl
Special to Rivals High

That in itself isn't especially noteworthy. What is remarkable is that, before this season, Scruggs had spent three years as a drummer in the St. X marching band.

Now, he is a defensive force on the football field and is expected to sign a letter of intent with the University of Louisville.

During his first season of organized football since sixth grade, Scruggs has helped St. X to a 14-0 record. He is a key cog, along with running back and Louisville commit Darius Ashley and highly recruited tight end Stephon Ball ?- two friends off the field who helped convince Scruggs to put on shoulder pads this season instead of shouldering the drums.

"The whole experience has just been unbelievable," Scruggs said. "(Football) was always on my mind, but I was really into the band and wanted to stick with it. I'm doing something different and it has benefited me a lot."

For three years, St. X coach Steve Specht hoped Scruggs would use his 6-foot-5, 235-pound frame to contribute to the Bombers' quest for a state championship rather than play the fight song before each game.

Finally, after Specht's continued pleading, Scruggs joined the team after working out with the players in the offseason. Specht has witnessed first-hand Scruggs' development as a player and a person.

"He is one heck of a young man, and that's the truth," Specht said. "(On the field), he's hell on wheels at 100 miles per hour, but at this point he's still learning. His maturation from Week 1 to Week 14 is just amazing. He makes plays simply based on athletic ability, but he's also picking up the game as he goes along."

Scruggs has also learned to cope with a missing piece in his life. Scruggs' father was killed in a car accident just before Greg turned 9.

"Before the state championship game (in March), I broke down and cried," Scruggs said. "I realized that my father hasn't seen me play any type of sporting event in my life. It's hard."

But Scruggs uses his father's death as motivation. It's what Scruggs says has helped him become a leader and motivator on the field and a father figure to his four younger brothers.

"I knew at that very second when it happened that I had to grow up quickly," Scruggs said. "I had to become a man right away."

And Scruggs plans to make his college choice with his family in mind.

"I'm just enjoying [the recruiting process] right now," Scruggs said. "I'm going to wait until I can go on my official visits and then have my mom come along to see what places she likes. She's going to play a role in where I go to school."

Scruggs currently lives on the St. X campus in a home provided by Boys Hope, an organization dedicated to helping underprivileged children attend schools that will enable them to reach their academic potential.

"I'm so grateful for what Boys Hope has done for me and I always will be," Scruggs said. "If it wasn't for them, I might not be where I am right now. But my mother saw the potential in me and I'm grateful for that, too. I'm blessed."

His mother and two of his brothers will make the 227-mile trip from Springdale, Ohio, to see Greg and St. Xavier vie for a state title Saturday.

"I know my father is somewhere watching me, though," Scruggs said.

Jeff Bartl has covered high school sports in the Chicago area for five years. He can be reached at jeffreybartl@yahoo.com.