Chris Yingling | Echo
The Trojans' high flying offense wasn't quite enough last Saturday as the team was narrowly beaten 42-37 by Robert Morris on the road.
The offense was quick and efficient in the first quarter, jumping out to an early 14-0 lead. After an early touchdown on the first possession by junior running back Jake Fidler, the special teams squad immediately made an impact. On the ensuing kickoff, freshman Jordan Egan was able to force a fumble which fellow freshman Kennedy Hill recovered on the Robert Morris 20-yard line. Fidler took advantage and scored once again to put the Trojans up 14-0.
Robert Morris came back with two consecutive touchdown drives of their own. Taylor's offense immediately responded with an impressive drive led by freshman quarterback Justice Odom. Odom ran four times on the drive, including the 12-yard score to cap it off. Taylor owned the lead 21-14.
Two more touchdown drives for Robert Morris put them in front. Taylor took momentum with them into the half with a 34-yard field goal by sophomore Alec Eickert as time expired. Robert Morris led with a score of 28-24 at halftime.
Odom lost none of his offensive prowess at the beginning of the second half, quickly driving his offense down the field for a touchdown. An eight-yard scamper by Odom at the end of the eight-play possession put the Trojans up 31-28.
Robert Morris responded with two touchdown drives to reclaim the lead, and they never looked back. After going up 35-31, the Eagles grabbed a pivotal interception of junior quarterback Jonathan Keith and were able to capitalize with a touchdown score, making the score 42-31.
The Taylor offense did not respond. Despite a late toss from Keith to sophomore wide receiver Shawn Lashbrook for a touchdown, an onside kick recovery by Robert Morris would ice the game as the Trojans fell 42-37.
Keith was the only Taylor quarterback with passing yards on Saturday, as he finished the game 29-for-39, one touchdown, and an interception.
Lashbrook led the receiving core with 10 receptions for 129 yards and a score. Senior Griffin Lowe also contributed with seven receptions for 73 yards on the day.
The strong Taylor front seven continued to dominate on Saturday. The defense was able to register three sacks and a forced fumble while senior linebacker Isaac McGaughey tallied 11 tackles on the day.
Photography by Timothy P. Riethmiller
