Chris Yingling | Echo
As the Taylor football team prepares for the 2014 season, expectations are high. After posting a 5-5 record last season, the team faces some tough matchups on the road and difficult opponents at home.
Head coach Ron Korfmacher is enthusiastic about how the team will perform, but wary of the number of injuries sustained by the offensive units.
"We're on the mend, but during this training camp we've had some strains and injuries," Korfmacher said. "We're hopefully on the mend for next week. We're looking to leaders for leadership from the wide receiver and tight end positions."
The team had to make several adjustments in practice following injuries to key offensive players. Junior receiver Shawn Lashbrook should return to practice soon after an Achilles strain. The team leader in receptions (67), yards (873) and touchdowns (7) from the 2013 season hopes to rejoin the receiving core in time for the season opener.
Starting tight end junior Hans Lundberg should also be back after a few weeks of recovery due to a broken hand. Soon, he'll be elevated to playing with a club and should return to the field after a few missed games.
Korfmacher is impressed with the play of the offensive line so far this offseason. Junior center Chris Chang anchors a front five that should be a force in run-blocking and pass protection.
"We've got some quality depth on the offensive line. It's predominantly upperclassmen, and these guys are animals," Korfmacher said. "These are our lead guys and they can shift around positions, so we're looking for the best combination of those guys."
The defensive side of the ball has taken significantly fewer casualties than the offensive side.
Many starters and upperclassmen are returning to the defensive line, which may have been Taylor's strongest unit last year. Junior Jake Venable, senior Cody Schwerin and freshman Jay Johnson will make a big impact stuffing the line along with some experienced depth in the trenches.
"They are a good solid group who have stayed pretty healthy," Korfmacher said. "They're ready to go after a full camp, and they've looked good."
The linebacker core has been hobbled with a few injuries but is anchored by seniors Nathaniel Ryan in the middle along and Dan McKenna on the edge.
The secondary looks solid, especially at the safety position. Starting safeties seniors Adam Sauder and Taylor Borst look to be stalwarts against the passing game. Juniors Dwayne Warren and Tyler Mills should shore up the cornerback spot.
On special teams, sophomore Brandon Haan will do the punting while sophomore Peter Cho and junior Wynn Coggin are competing for the placekicking duties.
The team faces a tough schedule in 2014, including away games at Butler, Saint Francis and Siena Heights as well as home contests with St. Ambrose and Marian. Korfmacher said that one of the team's goals for 2014 is to "win Indiana."
"We have a cluster of teams that we play in Indiana. Two from our league, one is Butler and the other Anderson. One of our sub-goals is to win Indiana," Korfmacher said. "Weekly, we reload with high incentives to win, and we've put a premium on smart football and winning tough games and ball pride."
The Taylor football team opens its regular season on the road against Southern Illinois on Thursday at 8 p.m., followed by the Wagon Wheel game in Anderson on Sept. 6.
Photograph by Josh Adams
