It’s a brand new week for the Taylor High School varsity football team as the Ducks under first-year head coach Earven Flowers are set to host Smithville High School at 7:30 p.m. this Friday night at The Duck Pond.
Taylor is coming off yet another one-possession loss as the Ducks (1-2 overall record) were unable to rally in the final minute on the road at Robinson High School in a close 28-24 loss to the Rockets.
It has been a tale of two halves for the Ducks’ offense this season as Taylor scored 20 of its 27 points in the first half at Gatesville High School, scored 29 of its 39 points in the second half vs. Rockdale High School and scored 21 of its 24 points in the first half against Robinson. If the Ducks are able to stay consistent on offense, this team will truly be able to play to the high level of talent that this roster has.
Ducks senior quarterback Joshua Mikulencak had himself another great game on Sept. 8 as he passed for a season-high 363 yards on 24-of-36 passing attempts with one touchdown through the air and also rushed for two touchdowns. His passing touchdown was thrown in the second quarter to his brother, senior wide receiver Jacob Mikulencak, as he caught a 10-yard touchdown pass that at the time gave the Ducks a 21-14 lead over the Rockets. Fellow senior wide receiver Jackson Meller had 13 catches for a whopping 156 yards last week, while Jacob Mikulenak added nine receptions for 139 yards of his own.
In order to beat the Smithville Tigers at home on Friday, the Ducks are going to need to play cleaner football and clean up the penalties against them. The Taylor defense should be able to keep the Smithville offense under control if the Ducks play disciplined football, limit big plays and force turnovers like they were able to do against Rockdale.
It would also be key if the offensive line gives Meller and junior running back Andrias Fisher room to run as Taylor was unable to consistently get the running game going at Robinson.
Be sure to check out the Taylor Press Sports page on Facebook for live updates throughout the Ducks’ varsity football game vs. Smithville.
