“It’s good to have those guys back, they’re a talented bunch,” Simmons said. “We think that we can do some things on offense with them and with a lot of them having that experience, it helps. I think it will be a really fun group.”
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, below, or purchase a new subscription.
Please log in to continue |
Taylor’s historic run had to slow at some point.
The Mustangs reached the state semifinal and regional final in Class 6A-Division II in back to back years, some of the greatest success the program has had, but after a huge chunk of its varsity program graduated, they went through some growing pains last year.
The Mustangs had to adjust on the fly not only with all of the newcomers in the program, but also with a litany of injuries that made things tougher on the team, keeping them from building momentum as the season went on.
But there was a positive to all the adversity that Taylor went through last year, it gave the chance for many underclassmen to gain varsity experience, prove themselves and understand what it takes to succeed at a high level in high school football.
“Last year has really unified us,” said Taylor head coach Chad Simmons. “You could see it through the offseason, spring and summer. The work ethic has been great and you can see that the kids don’t want to have that sort of season again. At one point last year we were starting nine sophomores and a freshman and so I think them getting that experience is going to really help them. They know the game speed, they know how this district is and they’ve experienced how different it is between sub varsity and varsity.”
Simmons squad brings back a number of starters, especially on defense, where eight of last year’s starters return in what should be an improved unit. Ashton Coker and Jose Abreu are the leaders on a good front seven, with senior linebacker Jayden Williams helping to lead the linebacker unit.
On the back end, Cyrus Reyes and Ethan Jacobson are two big contributors as well.
Overall last year, the Mustangs gave up 46.1 points per game, as the Mustangs defense learned how to compete at such a high level, but Simmons has no doubt that there will be improvements seen this year.
“We’ve adjusted some things in the spring to our scheme and we really think that’s going to help us,” Simmons said. “They’ve been working really hard and they’ve taken a step forward like they needed to. We haven’t seen it in a game, but even though it’s a different system now, we think we are going to be a whole lot better on defense.”
On offense, Taylor brings back five starters. Joe Jefferson and Chase Cobbin are both working at quarterback. Jefferson only was able to play in five games last year, but showed promise as a junior, throwing for 433 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 157 yards and scoring two times on the ground. Cobbin filled in at quarterback after Jefferson went down to injury.
Dante Archie looks like he could have a breakout junior year as he takes over as the lead ballcarrier in the backfield. Last year in his first year on varsity, Archie ran for 245 yards and three touchdowns and also had over 100 yards receivers and really started to shine late in the year.
Ian Flynt, Jamon Hines and Alei Sabek are all huge pieces in the pass game while Sabek has a strong leg that is a weapon both as a kicking and punting game, and Taylor has continued to grow on the offensive line.
“It’s good to have those guys back, they’re a talented bunch,” Simmons said. “We think that we can do some things on offense with them and with a lot of them having that experience, it helps. I think it will be a really fun group.”
This year’s group of Taylor players is ready to write their own legacy. They see last year as a learning experience and now with knowing what to do, they believe they have what it takes to make some noise this year.
“For them, it’s about controlling what they can control,” Simmons said. “Each moment, every day, you have to make sure you are working with a purpose. It’s incremental and it’s a process but none of that’s going to happen very fast. They key is to gradually get there and improve every day as we go. The key is to focus on that and stay healthy. If we do that, we’re headed in the right direction.”