By: Lincoln Reed | Sports Editor
Taylor's Trojan horse plowed through the gates on Saturday to defeat Missouri Baptist 41-13 in the MSFA matchup.
The Spartans controlled the early part of the game after scoring a field goal to take the lead with more than eight minutes left in the first quarter. The Trojans rallied in the remaining minutes of the first quarter when senior running back Justin Keys led Taylor down the field to the Spartan seven-yard line. Taylor took advantage of the great field position when freshman quarterback Everett Pollard threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Shawn Lashbrook to give Taylor a 7-3 lead.The Trojan defense held the Spartans to three points for the remainder of the first quarter. Pollard and the offense went to work within the last minute of the quarter when he connected with senior Andrew Sheard for a touchdown. A failed extra point attempt left the score 13-3 going into the second quarter.
A stale second quarter for both teams ended when Missouri Baptist completed a field goal with less than five minutes to play, making the score 13-6. The momentum continued to swing in favor of Missouri Baptist when a Spartan safety intercepted a pass by Pollard. The interception would have led to a touchdown if not for senior offensive lineman Patrick Stevens' tackle on the five-yard line.
With less than one minute remaining in the quarter, the Spartan offense had four plays to gain five yards and score a touchdown to tie the game going into halftime.
Missouri Baptist gained four yards to advance to the Trojan one-yard line. Taylor's defense kept the Spartans out of the end zone for two more plays. Missouri Baptist attempted to throw a touchdown pass on fourth down, but sophomore Dovi Gamble intercepted the Spartan pass. Gamble returned the ball 100 yards for a Trojan touchdown to make the score 27-6.
"That was a huge momentum shift," said senior safety Adam Sauder. "If they would have scored at that point it would have tied the game up."
Taylor started the third quarter strong with a 27-yard rushing touchdown by Keys. Pollard and senior tight end Hans Lundberg added to the Trojan lead with an eight-yard completion for a touchdown. Taylor scored again on their next possession when the offense marched down the field to the Spartan one-yard line. Junior Richardson Giordani carried the ball into the end zone to give the Trojans a 41-6 lead.
Missouri Baptist attempted to rally in the fourth quarter with a touchdown pass that decreased the deficit to 41-13. The Spartans didn't see the scoreboard for the remainder of the game.
Taylor rushed for a total of 107 yards and had 232 yards passing. Keys led the Trojans with 77 yards rushing and Lashbrook had 61 yards receiving. Pollard threw for 204 yards and threw three touchdowns.
The Trojan defense had an outstanding showing on Saturday. The defense held the Spartans to only 54 yards rushing and forced four turnovers. Sauder accumulated 12 tackles while sophomore Cameron Gray had eight tackles and one interception.
The win improves Taylor's record to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the MSFA. The Trojans now turn their focus to a formidable opponent in No. 6 Marian.
"We expect it to be a four-quarter battle," said head coach Ron Korfmacher.
Taylor takes the field again against Marian tomorrow under the lights at Turner Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Photography by Shannon Smagala
