Chris Yingling | Echo
Two overtime periods were not enough for the Taylor football team to knock off the defending national champion Marian Knights on Saturday, as the Trojans fell just short 26-19.
Strong play by the defenses was the story of the afternoon, as neither team gave up many big plays until late in the third quarter. A forced safety by TU early in the game as well as a Marian touchdown in the second quarter put the Trojans down just 6-2 at halftime.
During the offensive struggles of the third quarter, MSFA Special Teams Player of the Week, senior Luke Currens was able to return a punt 69-yards for a touchdown to put the Trojans up 9-6.
The first Taylor touchdown of the day sparked a fourth quarter filled with big plays. A 13-play drive was capped by a fourth-and-goal rush into the end zone by junior running back Jake Fidler. The score put the Trojans up 16-6 with just 8:41 to play in the game.
Marian was able to put up 10 points on consecutive possessions to tie the game up at 16-16. A 38-yard field goal and 60-yard touchdown drive kept the game tied up for the Knights.
On the final drive of the game, the Trojan offense had no trouble driving the ball down the field. With just one second left, sophomore Alec Eickert's 50-yard winning field goal attempt sailed wide left, forcing overtime at 16-16.
On the first possession of overtime, Eickert was able to make a 33-yard field goal to put the Trojans back up 19-16. Marian would fire back immediately with a field goal of their own to make the score 19-19, forcing a second overtime period.
The efficiency of the Knights' offense continued into the second overtime period, quickly scoring the game winning touchdown. The Trojan offense stalled on the 14-yard line, ending the game with a 26-19 Marian victory.
Junior quarterback Jonathan Keith was able to rack up 276 yards while completing 28-of-51 passes. Sophomore receiver Shawn Lashbrook also enjoyed a successful outing, pulling in a season-high 13 passes for 134 yards.
The defense turned in another three-sack game. Junior Dan McKenna and sophomore Jake Venable each came up with a sack in the front seven while junior defensive back Taylor Borst came up with a sack from the secondary.
Currens was the special teams star of the day. A 69-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter highlighted a career performance by the kick returner. He also finished with a 26.7 yards per punt return average on the day.
The Trojans will be back at home Nov. 9 to host No. 10 Saint Francis for the final game of the regular season at 1 p.m.
Photography by Timothy P. Riethmiller
