Chris Yingling | Echo
The game of football is a 60-minute battle of position, possession and passion. It's a contest full of hard hits, huge decisions, teamwork and grit. The 80-man football team's cohesiveness decides the outcome of each game.
As Taylor's 2014 season came to an end, a new crop of seniors found themselves playing their last snaps of collegiate football. The collisions, big plays and adrenaline rushes become a thing of the past for the seniors who are moving on to careers after Taylor. Their hearts will yearn to play just one more game.
But for senior defensive players Taylor Borst and Dan McKenna, they'll miss the bus rides to and from games the most.
"We'd play mafia on the back and get really heated," McKenna said. "We have so much fun and bond as friends."
While most would dwell on games past, Borst and McKenna will miss the bonds shared with their fellow football players. After countless hours spent battling on the gridiron, healing in the training room and laboring in the weight room, the senior defensive leaders will miss the friendships most.
McKenna had huge shoes to fill this year, stepping in to replace the stellar Isaac McGaughey ('14) as leader of the linebacking core. Under the leadership of McKenna, the defensive front seven helped force 16 fumbles, including a game-saving play in a win against Robert Morris this season (which McKenna recovered).
Borst has been a leader in the secondary for the last few years. He leaves the defensive back end in good hands under the leadership of All-American safety and junior Adam Sauder.
Both great defensive players attribute their success to the dedication and character of their coaches.
"It's much easier to play for someone when they believe in you," Borst said. "(Defensive coordinator Avant Mitchell and assistant coach T.J. Ragan) have added that new spark to our team. They've backed that up by caring for the guys on and off the field."
In the fall, McKenna will be working as an assistant portfolio manager in Wheaton, while Borst will remain in Upland after graduation as he pursues a teaching career.
Both men strived to be leaders among their defensive comrades on the field, while also being lights off the field. As freshmen, both guys came into the Taylor football locker room out of place, not sure of their position on the team. Senior leaders encouraged them during their underclassmen years and set a precedent until they became senior leaders themselves.
"We've really had to climb the ladder ourselves as freshmen," Borst said. "We've come from the bottom and had to work our way up."
They've finally reached the top of the ladder. It was one heck of a climb.Photography by Shannon Smagala and Josh Adams
