South Park running back-linebacker Tyler Scruggs is a big reason why the Eagles are the top-ranked Class AA team in the WPIAL and state. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound senior also was the Pittsburgh Trib's Baseball Player of the Year as a junior and is expected to be an early-round selection in the June amateur draft. He shares his thoughts on two-sport stardom, hot chocolate and war paint. Q: What's it like to be ranked No. 1 in Class AA? A: It's great to have that status put on your team and know you're the team to beat. On the other hand, everyone tries to play their best against you. I don't know if it's because they're hyped that we're No. 1 and they want to knock us off, but every team comes in fired up. It makes the game more physical, more competitive, more exciting and dramatic. Q: How close did you come to not playing football• A: I thought about just playing fall ball. There was a feeling I'd be letting the team down. I've been with them for four years. I've developed into a leader. I'd have a feeling I gave up on them. We have a chance to win a championship. Q: What are your memories of South Park's 1997 PIAA championship team• A: That final game in Altoona was absolutely freezing. It was snowing, windy, cold. Pretty much all I remember is being all bundled up and still freezing. You'd get hot chocolate and it would be cold by the time you were halfway done. Q: Do you have any pregame rituals• A: On Saturday (a 34-27 win over Seton-La Salle), a lot of us had war paint on. We knew we were going into a serious battle in that game. We had a community day earlier and I got airbrush tattoos. I had a dragon on my right shoulder with a Chinese symbol and on my left arm was barbed wire with Jesus Christ in the middle. It cost $15. They were there before the game, but when I took my pads off they were gone. Q: If you had to choose, which sport would win? A: I think a lot of people realize my future is in baseball. I'm probably going to pick baseball over football, but it's nice to have that option. If something happens in baseball, I'll still have football. Plus, it's a bargaining chip.

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