By GEORGE MAHL Sports Editor

Former East St. John defensive tackle DeQuincy Scott is starting to come into his own with the San Diego Chargers. In 2003, he led his team with 6.5 sacks. That number led all AFC defensive tackles and was the second highest total for a defensive tackle in the NFL. His hard work is starting to pay off.

He has not missed an offseason workout.

“If you are dedicated, you will be there everyday,” Scott told Chargers.com

“My motivation has always been to keep doing what I do and eventually it would pay off.”

Scott Joined the Chargers in 2001 after playing at Southern Mississippi from 1996-2000. He also played first base while at Southern Miss. Scott spent 14 weeks on Charger’s practice squad and joined the team as a rookie free agent April 30 and re-signed to the practice squad September 4.

Hahnville Head Football Coach Lou Valdin coached Scott when he was at East St. John.

“He was Mr. East St. John,” recalled Valdin. “He was probably the most popular guy in school at the time.”

Scott began his career with the Chargers as a member of the practice squad, then was moved to the active roster before being waived. The Chargers then re-signed him to the practice squad. His first season as a Charger tested how determined he was to succeed.

“When you start at the bottom, you enjoy things the more you get, it humbles you and makes you work harder for some of the things you really get,” said Scott.

Born March 5, 1978, Scott was named to the First team All-Conference USA as a senior, collecting five sacks during his senior year.

Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer has been pleased with the effort of Scott.

“He has been a very, very diligent worker and I think that last year was solid evidence of what he is capable of doing,” said Schottenheimer.

“There was no question in my mind DeQuincy was going to play in the NFL one day,” said Valdin.

” (Former East St. John players) Greg Gathers and Thomas Pittman followed his example,” he added.

Valdin also said he is not surprised by the condition Scott finds himself in.

“He went from football straight to baseball. I think that helped him a lot.”

During his senior year at East St. John, Scott had some serious others from schools.

“He had offers from LSU, Tulane and some other ones. The only knock on him was that he wasn’t real tall,” said Valdin.

The top priority for Scott right now is the top priority for every player in the NFL: winning.

“My goal is to just do the things that I need to do to help my team win,” he said. “I am going to be there every down, every snap, whatever it may be, whether it’s one snap or no snaps.

If I to be there just to lift up their spirits, that’s what I’m going to do.”