By: Lincoln Reed | Sports Editor
The Trojans declawed the Lindenwood Lynx 41-27 in a four-quarter battle on Saturday.
Lindenwood seized an early lead after scoring a touchdown midway through the first quarter to make the score 6-0. Taylor flirted with the scoreboard during a failed field goal attempt, but finally penetrated the end zone when senior Justin Keys scored a rushing touchdown to set the score at 7-6.
The Lynx regrouped and scored within the opening minute of the second quarter to regain a 7-13 lead. The momentum seemed to favor Lindenwood after freshman Everett Pollard threw an interception. The Lynx looked to capitalize on their luck, but then sophomore Jace LaMunyon intercepted a Lindenwood pass. The Trojan offense wasted no time attacking the end zone as senior Robby Robbins threw a perfect spiral to senior Andrew Sheard in the end zone to give Taylor a 14-13 lead.
"Robby Robbins throwing a touchdown pass really got us going, got us excited," said junior tight end Hans Lundberg. "I think from there we had a really good game."
The Lynx refused to quit, however, and scored a touchdown to regain the lead at 14-19. Taylor regained momentum again when special teams sophomore Dovi Gamble blocked a Lindenwood punt. Lundberg recovered the ball, allowing Everett Pollard and the offense another chance to score before the end of the second quarter.
Taylor's offense advanced down the field and found the end zone when Pollard completed an 8-yard pass to Lundberg to set the score at 21-19 at the end of the first half.
Lindenwood rebounded again and regained a 21-27 lead with a touchdown pass at the start of the third quarter. The Lynx didn't see the scoreboard for the remainder of the game. The Trojan offensive line provided a resilient wall of protection for Pollard as he connected with senior Michael Miller twice for two touchdown passes that set Taylor ahead of Lindenwood 35-27.
The knockout blow came in the fourth quarter with a 10-yard rushing touchdown by Keys to secure Taylor's lead at 41-27.
Senior safety Adam Sauder posted 15 tackles and senior Dustin Wanner added seven stops of his own. Senior Jake Venable collected four stops during Saturday's game and sophomore Josh Lamica acquired two sacks. Both Sauder and Gamble were named the Mideast League Players of the Week.
"We tried to limit them and make them long drives, just keep the offense on the field, use the clock a little bit," Wanner said. "Those long drives we really had to stop because their (quarterback) and running back were a lot better than we expected."
Taylor's offense assembled 159 rushing yards and 310 passing yards. Keys led the team in rushing with 111 yards. Pollard accrued 287 yards passing and senior Shawn Lashbrook led the team in receiving with 124 yards.
Saturday's victory against Lindenwood was the last home game for Taylor football's senior class. Each senior was recognized with his family before the game.
"We were all playing for the seniors," Lundberg said. "We were all excited for them and I know the seniors were excited to play their last game on the home field."
Taylor's seniors will play their last college career game against Trinity International University on Saturday. The Trojans enter the matchup with an overall record of 6-3 and 4-2 in the MSFA. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.Photograph by Fayth Glock
