SCOTT SCAMPERS OVER LANDSCAPE; PLAYING ON GRASS BETTER THAN CUTTING IT.

Byline: Patrick Hipes Daily News Staff Writer

It took less than a year for Brandon Scott to discover he didn't dig digging ditches or mowing lawns. In fact, he's thankful he had the opportunity to find it out.

Now, he's making the Western State Conference pay for his enlightenment.

Scott, who worked for a landscaping company in his native New Jersey at this time last year, is running toward the bright light of his future as the star tailback for Ventura College.

In the process he's been running over, through and around linebackers, linemen and cornerbacks as if they were so many weeds and rosebushes. Entering today's Northern Division game against Hancock, Scott is the third-leading rusher in the state, averaging 163.7 yards per game and 7 yards every time he touches the ball.

``He's a good running back, there's no question about that,'' said Glendale College coach John Cicuto, who watched Scott gain 130 yards against him last weekend. ``We understood that you're not going to bring him down with one hit.''

It's not likely - just ask Pierce College. Two weeks ago, the Brahmas watched the 5-foot-10, 180-pound freshman dance his way to 310 yards on 42 carries, breaking a 22-year old school record for both carries and yards. He is 18 yards from 1,000, a plateau he last reached as a senior at Woodbridge High School in Woodbridge, N.J., in 1994, when he gained 1,275 yards and was named honorable mention All-New Jersey.

It was that senior year that now-Ventura head coach Terry Morris first decided Scott was a good one. At the time, Morris was the defensive coordinator for Lambuth University, a NAIA school in Jackson, Tennessee.

He brought Scott to Jackson, but numerous things conspired against him. At the time, Lambuth had Jo-Jo Jackson, who ended up breaking numerous NAIA rushing records of Walter Payton. Carries for Scott were few and far between.

In addition, the cultural differences in the South got to Scott.

``There's a lot of unsaid segregation,'' he said. ``They really don't like Northern people - it's not as much about color or race.''

He lasted one semester before going home.

``I wasn't attending school, and I was working in landscaping (in New Jersey) and getting back on my feet,'' he said. ``But I wanted to get through school so I didn't have to work like that anymore.''

The landscaping job, he said, was crazy. Seventy to 80 hours a week for low pay.

When Morris took the Ventura College job, he remembered Scott and a dialogue followed. Shortly after, Scott was on the West Coast. Now, few people in the WSC can knock him off those feet.

His slashing style, lateral agility and vision for an opening have become his trademarks. He's excelled since Morris decided the Pirates (1-6, 1-1) needed extra zip in their offense, switching offensive schemes from a one-back set to a more traditional, tailback-friendly I-formation after starting the season 0-3.

In essence, Morris decided Ventura would go as Scott did.

``We weren't using him much,'' Morris said. ``Now, he's a true tailback. The passing game has opened up because of the running game. Now we're trying to make it 50-50.''

Scott realizes he's the focal point and he also realizes who he should thank. And what the ultimate goal should be.

``I owe it all to coach Morris,'' he said. ``He was the only one who didn't care how big I was. I owe him a lot, so that's why I'm always telling the team, `Let's get some wins for the man, get to our classes.'

``It's frustrating. As much as I'm glad to have the success I've had, I'd still take a win over a 200-yard game any day.''

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Photo: New Jerseyite Brandon Scott has found success as a West Coast tailback.

Gus Ruelas / Daily News