By: Lincoln Reed | Sports Editor
Taylor football trounced Anderson University on Saturday with a score of 51-10 in the final Wagon Wheel game.
The first quarter remained scoreless until the 6:20 mark when sophomore Dovi Gamble blocked an Anderson punt to earn a safety. The Trojan offense built off their 2-0 lead when freshman quarterback Everett Pollard connected with senior wide receiver Shawn Lashbrook for a 21-yard touchdown with under four minutes to play. Anderson scored a field goal at the end of the first quarter to set the score at 9-3 in favor of the Trojans.
Taylor dominated the remaining three quarters with a display of fundamental football. Pollard threw for 214 total yards with two aerial scores and one rushing touchdown in his collegiate debut.
"I definitely have to give credit to the offensive line," Pollard said. "They gave me a lot of time back there when we wanted to throw the ball. Our receivers have really been putting in the work. It showed because you could tell that they were in a different league than their corners, which made it really easy for me."
After Pollard left the game, junior quarterback Wilson Alexander went to work by completing a 25-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Caleb Nicley. Senior Justin Keys led the Trojans with 70 yards rushing and one touchdown. Other rushing touchdowns came from junior running backs Richardson Giordani and Tim Barrett. Senior wide receiver Mike Miller led the Trojans with 55 yards receiving.
A formidable defense complemented Taylor's aggressive offense. The Trojans allowed only three points in the first three quarters.
"We brought a lot of intensity and flew around to the ball and we had a lot of fun," said senior defensive lineman Jake Venable. "You play well when you have fun."
Venable snatched two fumbles during Saturday's game while seniors Nathaniel Ryan and Adam Sauder and sophomore Cameron Gray led the Trojans with six tackles each. A pair of interceptions came from Gamble and freshman Tyler Gerig. Junior Jeremy Ramirez had two sacks while senior Blake Wheeler and sophomore Darius Stanley each picked up one sack.
Taylor's 51-10 finish against Anderson in the final Wagon Wheel game means that the Wagon Wheel will remain in the Trojans' possession indefinitely. Taylor looks to continue their fundamental approach moving forward into conference play against Saint Francis.
"It's going to be a new opponent, kind of a whole new template, and we've got to play complete football like we did this week," said head coach Ron Korfmacher. "But it's going to be a different battle for that . . . It's going to be a 60-minute battle, all four quarters, very deep into the roster."
Taylor takes on conference opponent Saint Francis tomorrow in their opening game in the Mid-States Football Association Mideast League. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Turner Stadium.
Photograph by Fayth Glock
