Playoff prayers go unanswered

By: Chris Yingling | Co-Editor in Chief

Crushing hits, big plays and loud cheering have come to an end for the Taylor football team this week.

While 7-3 is not good enough to vault the Trojans into the playoffs, this year marked a season of excellence for Taylor. Taylor improved in all three phases of the game, creating a more well-rounded team.

"We showed development this year," said head coach Ron Korfmacher. "We were a balanced offensive football team, our defense could stop the run and we played well on special teams."

Korfmacher's balanced offense was at work all year. Spearheaded by redshirt freshman quarterback Everett Pollard and senior running back Justin Keys, the Taylor offensive attack put up 2,538 yards passing, with 1,683 yards on the ground.

In his first year at the helm of the offense, Pollard started all 10 games for Taylor, throwing 54.2 percent for 2,360 yards and 29 touchdowns to go with 13 interceptions. Pollard also accumulated 243 rushing yards with two touchdowns as Taylor's second-leading rusher. His 29 touchdown lobs were good for second in the MSFA and the highest season total in Taylor history.

Keys ran for 969 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding another receiving score. His 5.4 yards per carry put him at fourth in the MSFA along with a third placement in rushing yardage.

Pollard attributes the improvement of the offense to the offensive line's consistency all season.

"We were able to run the ball and throw the ball this year because of the offensive line," Pollard said. "They give me time to throw and (give) the running backs opportunities to run. There's a different chemistry this year among the guys, and it's helped us become a stronger, closer team."

While Pollard aired out the ball well, it was the work of his receiving core that helped stretch the ball downfield. Senior wideout Shawn Lashbrook exploded for a career-high 902 yards along with 12 touchdown receptions. Highlighted by a five-touchdown performance in a 42-48 loss to the University of Saint Francis, Lashbrook became Pollard's security blanket with a team-high 58 receptions.

In addition to Lashbrook, senior wideout Michael Miller contributed 546 yards and five scores. Senior tight end Hans Lundberg became the big red zone target, hauling in 27 balls for 301 yards and seven touchdowns.

"We had a lot of talent on the outside," Lashbrook said. "(Miller) and I could use our height advantages to make plays. Consistency on the offensive line and in the running game definitely helped."

Taylor's offensive line held strong for Pollard and Keys this year. The crew only allowed 15 sacks all year (1.5 per game). The line also paved the way for 1,683 rushing yards on the year, the highest total since 1998. Led by seniors Chris Chang and Patrick Stevens, Korfmacher cited the line as a high spot for his team.

"They put in good work this year," Korfmacher said. "Same guys, same personnel, same scheme, but they just grew together as a unit. That helps everything else you do on offense work well."

On the defensive side of the ball, Taylor found their niche in stopping the run. Senior safety Adam Sauder led the team with 97 total tackles on the year along with two sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 10 games for the team. Sophomore linebacker Cameron Gray contributed 1.5 sacks and two interceptions as well, while sophomore lineman Josh Lamica led Taylor with three sacks.

While allowing the big aerial plays seemed to be the Achilles' heel for the Trojans, the physical secondary and quick linebackers played the ball well, only allowing 100 rushing yards per game. The punishment up front forced opposing teams to pass early and often.

"Up front, we had a really good rotation of guys who would stop the run," Korfmacher said. "We committed to it, even lowered our safeties like Sauder into the box. We applied the pressure with hurries and hits, but we really needed to get to the quarterback more often."

Korfmacher also pointed out the Taylor's red zone defense as having a "bend, don't break" mentality.

Taylor will be looking to improve on their 7-3 record as they enter the offseason.

"We're losing a lot of guys, but we experienced success this season. We're looking for that to carry over to next season," Korfmacher said.

Photograph by Fayth Glock