By: Lincoln Reed | Sports Editor
Taylor football caged the Concordia Cardinals on Saturday in a 35-24 Homecoming weekend victory.
The afternoon game began with a shaky first quarter for the Trojans after a fumbled punt return gave the Cardinals control of the ball for the first five minutes. Taylor's offense stalled in the first quarter while Concordia gained a 7-0 lead.The Cardinals carried their momentum into the second quarter with a field goal that increased Concordia's lead to 10-0. Taylor's offense found its footing when senior Robby Robbins received a Concordia punt. The Trojan special teams formed an impenetrable wall as Robbins raced down the sideline before being brought down at the Concordia 17-yard line.
"It was perfectly blocked going down the right sideline," Robbins said. "We got to the 50 (yard line) and that's the first time I had to make a move on anybody. The whole team got going after that."
Robbins' 76-yard punt return sparked the Trojan offense as freshman quarterback Everett Pollard completed an 18-yard pass to receiver senior Andrew Sheard to make the score 10-7.
Taylor's defense went into action on the next Concordia possession when senior Dustin Wanner intercepted a Cardinal pass and carried the ball 44 yards for a touchdown. Concordia struggled to counter Taylor's 14-10 lead and looked to punt the ball away after a quick three-and-out in the waning minutes of the first half.
Sophomore Dovi Gamble flew in and blocked the punt to secure great field position for the Trojan offense. Pollard wasted no time and completed a 13-yard throw to senior Hans Lundberg to make the score 21-10. Concordia rallied to score again before the close of the first half to put the game within reach at 21-17.
Pollard and the offense entered the second half with guns blazing as Lundberg received an 8-yard pass from Pollard to increase Taylor's lead to 28-17. With the game slowly slipping out of reach, Concordia responded with a touchdown pass that made the score 28-24.
The fourth quarter belonged to the Trojans after Pollard completed a 13-yard touchdown pass to senior Shawn Lashbrook, which increased the Trojan lead to 35-24. Taylor's defense provided the final blow and didn't allow the Cardinals to score for the remainder of the game.
Senior Justin Keys' 95 yards rushing, Lashbrook's 68 yards receiving and Pollard's 205 yards passing led Taylor's offense. The Trojan defense saw stand-out performances from Gamble and Wanner who were both named MSFA Players of the Week. Gamble was named the MSFA Special Teams Player of the Week while Wanner was awarded the Defensive Player of the Week.
The Trojans are currently in a bye week as they prepare for their matchup against Lindenwood and the final weeks of the season. Taylor head coach Ron Korfmacher's message for the team is to finish the year strong.
"Do the best work of your career," said Korfmacher. "Make that the challenge. I like what that is going to mean for us if our seniors do that. And if our young guys do it, that means they are on an improvement trajectory. But for our seniors, that is the challenge; to finish out with the best work of their career."
Taylor's victory over Concordia improves its record to 5-2 as they prepare to face Lindenwood at home on Nov. 7. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
Photograph by Fayth Glock
