Once unwanted, Buisson proves his worth

Written by Rene Nadeau Monday, 29 June 2009 08:29

College Football News

Everyone remembers the story about the little engine that could. Much like the little engine, Scott Buisson refused to take no for an answer. His determination paid off.

Scott's days at Archbiship Rummel High School in Metairie, La. prepared him for the success he's now enjoying at Arkansas-Monticello. He also never was one to accept any doubt others may have had in his abilities.

Playing point guard for the Rummel Raiders' basketball team, Buisson was tabbed All-District his senior season after averaging 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per outing.

But it was football that presented a stage for the young, talented star where he was really able to shine. He earned All District and Offensive MVP both his junior and senior seasons. He was named All State and Player of the Year in the coach's poll. Scott's name also appeared on the All East Bank and All Metro squad.

While at Rummel, Scott had complied some impressive numbers. He recorded a 184 yard rushing and 100 yard passing game in a 41-35 loss to East St. John during the 5th game of his senior campaign, but got even with the Wildcats when it really counted. "We came back and beat them 51-7 in the playoffs, " Buisson recalled.

Buisson usually threw just 10-15 passes per game. He worked with Sonic Boom speed and fitness guru Wyatt Harris which helped him immensely in his athletic and mental preparation. " I've been going to Wyatt for about 6 years. It's help my speed (he now runs a 4.42 forty), accuracy, footwork in the pocket and escaping the pocket. I've also gotten stronger and put on weight (now 6'0-185). I've learned where my eyes are supposed to be and when to look off the receiver."

Scott has the luxury of being under the closely monitored tutelage of Harris and works with current Saint players Robert Meachem,Marques Colston, Skyler Green, Tracy Porter and Devery Henderson, who also train at Sonic Boom.

Harris doesn't shy away from making comparisons. "Scott is phenomenal. He has the best delivery (overhead) for a 6-foot QB, a classic delivery which makes him more like a 6'3 - 6'4 passer. He has legit 4.4 speed. He is the best at any level in college. He's my guy," said Harris. "From the middle of the field, kneeling on one knee, he can throw the 15 yard comeback on a rope (which is equivalent to a 7-8 step drop). He was MVP in the Louisiana-Texas Bayou Bowl in 2007. Imagine Michael Vick with super QB skills, with footwork and balance. That's Scotty. He will wow people. He'll run a 4.3 (forty) when he finishes."

In spite of all of the accolades, college recruiters were not enamored with his potential.  "A few schools called like SLU, Nicholls State, ULL and Northwestern State," Buisson said. "They talked to me as a quarterback, athlete and wide receiver but only as a walk-on. Kentucky talked to me about possibly playing cornerback. All of the state schools wanted me to walk-on and would give me a shot at QB, but would only give me a scholarship if I started."

Rejection fueled Buisson following his graduation from Rummel in 2007." It was frustrating," he said. "I was overlooked because of my size. My Jr. season was virtually wiped out by Katrina, which is an important year in recruiting. All of the state schools said that I was too small."

Scott wasn't about to give up. He knew that all he needed was a chance. " I've always played QB my entire life.  It's what I wanted to play. I wasn't going to just change positions," said an admitted John Elway super fan.

Arkansas-Monticello in Division II called with an opportunity that Scott Buisson had waited for so patiently. Head coach Gwaine Mathews, a former De La Salle Head Coach in New Orleans, brought Buisson to the Weevils. He was adding a new offensive coordinator in Will Hall, who had won the Harlon Hill Award in 2003 as a quarterback at North Alabama and was coming in to install an attack that would fit Buisson's skills perfectly.

"(Hall) taught me the spread offense," Buisson said. "It was a little difficult because I wasn't used to throwing that much. The Zone Read Option is our primary offense. Coach Hall made it simple and let me learn it."

Buisson arrived at Arkansas Monticello in July 2007 and worked hard enough to unseat incumbent starter Elijah McDonald.

Hall's arrival at Monticello coincided with Buisson's, and it didn't take them very long to forge a strong bond yielding immediate success.

Scott finished the 2007 season with 2,400 yards passing (16 touchdowns) and 650 yards rushing (6 TD's). Against Harding, he had 570 total yards, including 484 yards passing (4 touchdowns) and 93 yards rushing (2 touchdowns). He was named Freshman of the Year in the Gulf South Conference. Twice during the 2007 season he was tabbed conference player of the week, once he was selected as the national player of the week.

As a sophomore in 2008, Scott improved, passing for 2,700 yards (25 touchdowns) and rushing for 1,320 more with 12 scores.

On Sept. 19, 2008 against Henderson State, Buisson set a standard that had never been attained previously at any level of college football. He was 20 out of 20 passing to start the game and wound up completing 20 passes out of 22 attempts by the half for an impressive 270 yards. He would finish the game with 640 total yards and 7 touchdowns, 424 passing yards (5 TD's) and 216 rushing yards (2 touchdowns)."The very first play of the game was an 89 yard touchdown run. It was from the triple option, I kept the ball and made a move on the CB," recalled Scott with a smile.

One month later, he almost duplicated that fete with just over 500 total yards against Harding.

Buisson was recognized for his on the field accomplishments in 2008 earning Offensive Player of the Year in the Gulf South Conference, named 1st-team QB All Gulf South Conference. He was also selected as the Player of the Year by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and was selected 3rd-team All Region signal caller.

The highest honor had him listed among the top 24 finalists for the Harlon Hill Award, the small school equivalent to the Heisman Trophy.

Scott returns to an offense that averaged 500 yards per game and produced 35 points per outing.

Buisson's family attends all of his games and one of his mentors, the aformentioned Wyatt Harris, keeps him grounded. "Wyatt has made me mentally tough. We work out in the sun, in the heat. He works us until we're dead tired. It prepares us for the mental (challenge) under game like conditions."

Many Louisiana schools have indicated that they made a mistake on their evaluation of the former local prep star. Even though he has moved on, the rejection has fueled Buisson. "It keeps me going. I want to show them what they missed. Arkansas Monticello has given me a chance. I feel loyal to them."

This offseason, Buisson was named preseason Division II first-team All-American. He'd like to make the 2009 something special." As a team, I'd like to win the GSC and make the playoffs. I'd like to be 1st team All American and win the Harlon Hill award."

Lofty, yet attainable goals for someone that no one wanted.