Tattnall County has a rich and storied Track and Field History. Teams from Tattnall County Industrial High, Glennville, and Reidsville have won numerous State Championships over the years. Those teams featured some very outstanding athletes who left a lasting legacy for all who strived to follow in their footsteps.
The Scott brothers of Manassas fit that mold to a tee. Bobby Hugh Scott, Roy Scott, and Derriel Scott.
Bobby was the oldest of the trio and he set the standard. Bobby Scott ran track for Tattnall County Industrial High School during the late 60’s where he became a local legend. Bobby helped Tattnall County Industrial High School capture its first State Championship. Bobby was a long distance runner who excelled where others would fade. He was widely known to get off the bus in Collins and run home and beat the bus to Manassas, which was five miles away. Bobby was a legend during his high school days. He was known as the man with no heart, which meant he could run forever and not get tired. It must have seemed that way to his opponents and onlookers.
After high school, Bobby joined the Army where he continued to set marks in track. At the Seventh Army Training Command Track and Field Championships in Graffenvohr, Germany, Bobby showed off his incredible stamina. He huffed and puffed his way to victories in five events, the 800, 1500, 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000 meters – all in one day. He also set two records during the process, winning the 10,000 in (32:50.4) and won the 800 in (2:05.8), the 1500 (4:24.4), the 3,000 (9:26.5), and the 5,000 (6:49.2).
His brother, Roy, a 1979 graduate of Reidsville High School, followed in his footsteps. Roy says, “I always wanted to be like Bobby.” Roy was also an outstanding distance runner in his own right. During his high school days, Roy was a part of two state championship teams. Roy set the school record in Reidsville as a freshman. Roy won first place in many track meets, including Statesboro Relays and Washington County Relays. His times of (4:32) in the mile and (9:38) in the two mile stand the test of time.
Derriel was the younger brother of the group. He was a sprinter, and while he didn’t compete in the long distance races, he also was a part of a few relay teams that participated in the state meet.
Roy stated that it’s his hope Tattnall County will start an Athletic Hall of Fame like neighboring communities, such as Evans County, Vidalia, and others.
