The Taylor High School football program had its opening scrimmages under first-year head coach Earven Flowers on a scorching hot Friday night as the Ducks hosted Cameron Yoe High School at The Duck Pond.
The varsity, junior varsity and freshman squads all got valuable reps on the evening during the Ducks’ scrimmages against the visiting Yoemen. Varsity concluded the night with starters and reserves getting plenty of playing time against a Cameron program that consistently makes it multiple rounds into the playoffs.
Ducks junior running back Andrias Fisher already looks in midseason form as he broke several long runs on the evening with his speed and elite agility that helped him carve up the Yoemen defense. The offensive line continues to be a strong point of this team behind Taylor senior Syris Corley, senior Hesston Cranor, junior Ernest Alderete, junior Harrison Tate and junior Eric Camacho paving the way for Fisher to run.
There was also brotherly love on Friday with senior quarterback Joshua Mikulencak throwing passes to fellow
Photos by Andrew Salmi
i id i J b senior wide receiver Jacob Mikulencak. Most notably, Joshua completed a short pass to Jacob but he broke several tackles and raced down the sideline for a huge gain to get the Ducks deep into Yoemen territory.
Ducks senior Jackson Meller, who will be a dynamic threat on both offense and defense, caught a pass over the middle of the field from Joshua Mikulencak and outran the Cameron defense for a long touchdown reception. Taylor senior Marcus Jackson, who ill i will primarily play on defense as a starting cornerback tandem with junior Ethan Flagg, got some reps on offense at running back and scored a rushing touchdown from about 10 yards out.
The Duck defense was able to make a handful of stops to limit the Yoemen from moving down the field, but Taylor also allowed several big offensive plays by Cameron and had a few key penalties that kept drives alive. Flowers preached about consistency throughout the week and although Taylor struggled to move the ball on offense at times and had some dropped passes, this team will continue to improve during the preseason and hopefully play to the potential this talented roster has.
Taylor will hit the road on Thursday night for its final preseason scrimmage against Franklin High School at Hedrick Field. The Ducks will be tested, especially on defense against a run-heavy Lions offense that has guided them to three straight championship games: a runner-up 3A-2 finish in 2020, state champions of 3A-2 in 2021 and then a second straight title in 2022 after Franklin was moved up to 3A-1.
Hutto High School has its first scrimmage on the road Thursday night at Austin Vandegrift High School, Thrall High School has a Thursday road scrimmage at Milano High School, Granger High School plays away on Thursday for its scrimmage at Frost High School and St. Mary’s Catholic School travels on Friday for six-man action with Mount Calm High School.
Taylor High School varsity football junior running back Andrias Fisher breaks free for a huge gain on Friday, Aug. 11 during the Ducks’ home scrimmage vs. Cameron Yoe High School.
