It’s a play Fairfield High School graduate Isaiah Scott will remember for the rest of his life.

The senior defensive back was on the field in the second half for Mount Union against St. Thomas (Minn.) in the Division III football championship game last week when opportunity came.

“We were in a cover-one and I was lined up against the receiver,” Scott said. “The last couple plays they had been throwing the bubble screen to him. The coaches told me to go over and stop it.”

St. Thomas tried the bubble screen one more time, and it cost them. Scott made a play on the ball and intercepted the pass. Mount Union’s offense then took the ball and scored to put the game out of reach.

“Everyone kept telling me the next day that the play sealed the deal,” Scott said. “I always wanted to get a pick in a situation like that.”

Scott has been excelling in situations like that all year long. He had eight tackles and a pass break-up to go with his interception in the title game. He had 57 tackles, seven interceptions and a forced fumble during a season, enough to earn a spot as second-team All-American. He helped lead a defense that had six consecutive shutouts during the season.

But Scott saved his biggest moment for last, the title game. The game was broadcast nationally on ESPN. His game-sealing interception was a SportsCenter highlight.

“It’s just sort of surreal,” Scott said. “It was a great moment to see myself on TV, make a play and for them to talk about me a little bit.”

Scott has made a big impact on the field for Mount Union, but he has plans to make a larger impact off of it. He is a physical education major and has his heart set on teaching. He grew to love the experience as a camp counselor in the YMCA as a teenager.

“To be able to be that type of role model, to touch lives and to help kids reach their goals really inspired me,” Scott said.

Now when Scott inspires others, he can always talk about his big play — and his national championship.

“To think I’ll always be a national champion — looking back 20, 30 or 100 years from now — it’s great.”

Surfing in China: Cody Brown (Bellbrook), a 2009 Arizona State graduate, is currently on a 21-day tour of China with the San Diego Surf of the ABA. Brown, a 6-foot-10, 200-pound center, currently works in San Diego as an event supervisor. The tour was organized to foster international relations between the U.S. and China.

Local Oilers: Several locals had a big impact for the Findlay University men’s basketball team in a 64-60 win over Grand Valley State on Dec. 17. Greg Kahlig (Fort Recovery) led Findlay with 14 points while Brad Piehl (New Knoxville) scored 13. Aaron Robinson (Trotwood) had eight points, four rebounds and two assists.

Contact us: Know a local athlete who is playing sports at college? Send an update to bj.bethel@coxinc.com or call 937-225-2455 and let us know how their career is going.