ATHLETE OF THE WEEK : Renfro Backs Scott’s Words by Delivering 5 Touchdowns

The time had come for Hart Coach Rick Scott to let his quarterback do his talking for him.

After weeks of boasting about his replacement for All-Southern Section quarterback Jim Bonds, Scott finally unveiled the new signal-caller Friday night against Canyon.

If Scott was ever the type to say “I told you so,” he’d probably be saying that right now--and with just cause.

Senior Darren Renfro rushed for three touchdowns and passed for two more as Hart defeated the Cowboys for the first time in five years, 41-21. Scott, of course, was not surprised by Renfro’s performance.

“I was just surprised that nobody believed me about him,” Scott said. “Not that anyone called me a liar, it’s just that nobody had ever seen him.”

Said Renfro: “I’m just glad I didn’t make a liar out of him.”

Renfro delivered on Scott’s boasts in front of 8,000 spectators at College of the Canyons. Rambling and scrambling all over the field, the left-handed quarterback completed 16 of 23 passes for 265 yards. But unlike his coach, Renfro wasn’t as satisfied with his performance.

“I still think I need work on a few things,” he said. “Like stepping up in the pocket and not worrying about getting hit.”

But more importantly, Renfro is finally developing into a leader--something many people believed Hart would lack without Bonds.

“I talked to a couple of players about his decorum in the huddle,” Scott said. “And I was happy that the kids said he’s taking command.”

Renfro also played most of the game in pain after twisting his ankle in the first quarter on his first touchdown run.

“It hurt in the second half,” Renfro said. “And when I got home it was throbbing. But I’ll be fine.”

Renfro even received a compliment from Bonds, who watched from the stands.

“He said I looked hot,” Renfro said.