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By Clinton Riddle
Correspondent

West Jessamine football standouts Caden Dowlen and Bryson Scott made their college commitments official on Jan. 5.

In a short press conference at West Jessamine, Dowlen made public his commitment to Thomas More University in Crestview Hills, while Scott has announced that he will be attending Taylor University in Upland, Indiana.

The Thomas More Saints, led by head coach Trevor Stellman, are an NAIA team that plays in the Mid-South Conference.

The Taylor Trojans are also in the NAIA, playing in the Crossroads League.

Concerning his choice of Thomas More, Dowlen said, “It always kind of piqued my interest because of where it was located, near Cincinnati, and having a lot to do around there. I started talking to Coach (Brad) Zink, and he showed a lot of interest in me as a player and was very inviting to me.

“When I went on a visit, it just felt like home to me. I could see myself there for the next few years, and when I got my offer, I just knew for sure that was the place I wanted to be.”

Dowlen will be attending Thomas More on a partial academic and athletic scholarship that he says will cover the majority of the school’s costs.

“It wasn’t a full scholarship, but it was very close to one,” he added.

Dowlen played both middle and outside linebacker at West Jessamine, and has played alongside Scott since eighth grade.

He said he is planning to focus on biology and chemistry, with the intent of pursuing a career as a hematological oncologist, and hopes to attend medical school after he finishes his undergraduate studies.

Dowlen also mentioned that he had considered joining the Navy after he completes his graduate degree and passes his medical boards.

Among his fondest memories of his time with the Colts is the East-West game played Sept. 25, a game in which West scored 27 points in the fourth quarter to defeat the Jaguars, 36-28.

“A 27-point comeback with nine minutes left in the fourth, and all of my coaches always made sure we kept out composure, whether we were up by 30 or down by 40,” Dowlen continued. “They kept us in line, and that taught me a lot.”

Dowlen made eight tackles in that game to go along with a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

Scott, also a middle linebacker, chose Taylor University in part due to his parents and two sisters having attended the school.

“A lot of my family has gone there, so it was always high on my list,” he said. “And then, after meeting the coaches, I felt like that was the best place to push me as an athlete.”

“I loved the last four years (at West). I made a lot of great friendships with teammates.” When asked to chose a particular highlight of his time with the Colts, he said, “It would be beating East, because it was long overdue. Also, beating Collins by three was huge.”

In that game, the Colts came from behind to defeat the Titans, 27-24. Scott led the team with twelve tackles, eleven of which were solo.

A starter since his sophomore year, Scott had been a team captain for his junior and senior years.

As for which major he’d like to pursue, Scott hasn’t made a final decision. “I’m leaning toward exercise science,” he said, “but I haven’t decided anything yet.”

Scott said that Taylor bases scholarships upon the student’s GPA, among other considerations. He will be receiving a considerable amount, as an incoming student-athlete.

Scott is looking forward to working with Taylor’s defensive coordinator, coach Jared Boddie, as well as head coach Ron Korfmacher.

Both Dowlen and Scott plan to be enrolled at their respective universities this fall.