Taylor wants to keep things going.

The program has made the playoffs each of the past five seasons, and the past two years has made it to the state semifinals and regional semifinals. However, the team graduated a senior class of 38 in May that played a major role in those appearances.

Despite that, the Mustangs feel they have the talent to make another run and feels the extra experience his team has gained by being in those playoff runs gives them an edge.

“I think that’s one of the big keys as to why teams that make deep runs continue to do that even with people graduating,” said Taylor head coach Chad Simmons. “There’s a cycle when kids are playing more games. The kids at the lower levels get to continue to practice, they get to experience those games even if they aren’t playing. It’s just a cycle of giving you a better chance to be successful.”

The Mustangs return four starters on both offense and defense, and Simmons feels comfortable with the depth on both sides of the ball.

“We had a really good senior class and we have five Division I players and that’s a hard thing to replace,” Simmons said. “We don’t really have those top end guys; we maybe have one or two we really top to bottom have more good high school players that can be successful. We just have to get those guys prepared and ready and we’re young in spots. The big key is getting those guys who haven’t played in as many varsity games prepared for the grind of district play.”

Michael Whitaker, the team’s leading rusher and receiver will lead the be the lead back this season, while Hollis Robinson is expected to lead the receiving corps. Hay Nolan will help anchor the offensive line.

Joe Jefferson moved from safety to quarterback over the offseason and Simmons said he has showed real promise. Jackson Ingram is also working at quarterback.

“We have a real good group of guys with good speed at our skill positions,” Simmons said. “They can stretch the field and so that’s a really big thing we want to do offensively is put pressure on defenses by stretching the field both horizontally and vertically and forcing teams to get out of their comfort zone against us.”

Defensively, the team feels good about Robinson and Jaden Burr in the secondary, Ashton Coker on the defensive line and Connor Vickery, Nick Goedde and Jayden Williams at linebacker.

The goal early in the season is to find a way to get better every time they step on the field, and learn in non-district play, which will start in the team’s season opener against Cy-Springs.

“You always have some guys who haven’t played a lot of varsity football, so it’s huge to have that time to find out where they fit best,” Simmons said. “Having those four games back before district is great and it helps prepare them.”

Taylor will open district against Seven Lakes on Sept. 30.

“The key for being successful in any district is to have that consistency and knowing that no matter which of the other six teams that we are playing that every one of those games count to whether you get into the playoffs or not. You have to take every game seriously and know that they are all important when it comes to district games. You have to be ready week to week and prepare and adapt to opponents.”