Winning the Wagon Wheel

Chris Yingling | Echo

Taylor's biggest football game of the season is back, and the storylines are endless.

The Trojans will travel to Anderson University on Saturday night to play Anderson in a battle for the Wagon Wheel, the illustrious symbol that Taylor's kept for the past six years.

Taylor beat the Ravens handily last season with a 58-7 rout. The team displayed high-volume, explosive offense against Anderson in the blowout victory, defeating the Ravens on every level of the game.

However, this is a new season-and a new Trojan football team.

There are concerns for Taylor after the team dropped the first game of the season 45-0 on the road against Southern Illinois University (FCS). Taylor was only able to put up 141 total yards on offense while giving up 546 to SIU.

Now, the Trojans head into Saturday's game against Taylor's biggest rival.

"We're ready to rebound, and we're ready to play a new opponent," said head coach Ron Korfmacher. "They're a big rival, and it's an important in-state game, so we're excited. We're back on the road; we're ready to get going."

Injuries have plagued the Trojans since training camp. Junior receiver Shawn Lashbrook and senior receiver Griffin Lowe were held out against SIU with hamstring issues and are both game-time decisions against Anderson.

Korfmacher realizes that it's a concern but is sure his players can rise to the challenge.

"We're still on the mend from training camp," he said. "There are a lot of dings and nicks here and there, but we're on the mend, and we will be for a couple more weeks. We're confident in the guys that are available; they've been good in practice, but now it's time to go out, step up and execute."

The Wagon Wheel game may be regarded as the most popular football game on Taylor's campus, but it means even more to the seniors who have been a part of Taylor's dominance in the game for six straight years.

"It definitely means a lot to me as there have been so many great memories made at the game," said senior linebacker Dan McKenna. "We will still feel that beginning-of-the-season buzz and excitement when we step out against them. As a senior, I want to carry that wheel across the field back to my team after the game."

The team's loss to SIU is now in the past as the players look forward to this Saturday's game. All units are ready to go full-speed against Taylor's biggest rival.

"There were a lot of good things from last week's game that we learned about ourselves and our seniors have us ready to go into battle this week," said junior quarterback Michael Miller. "After a good week of preparation, we are confident and excited to go into this rivalry game."