The Taylor Ducks came up short in a comeback effort after Head Coach Earven Flowers made a mid-game switch at the quarterback position, but it wasn’t quite enough to finish the job as the Lago Vista Vikings defeated Taylor 29-22.
Sophomore quarterback Caleb Pachicano started the game for the Ducks in favor of senior quarterback Eli Laurence, who started the previous two games for Taylor. However, a scoreless first half for the Ducks’ offense led to Laurence gaining his starting spot back for the second half.
“We were just looking for a spark,” Flowers said. “We felt the game was in reach, (and) we put some young guys in.
I mean, we (have) a lot of guys who never played Friday night football this year, and they’re put in situations to make plays, and sometimes it’s overwhelming.”
Lago Vista took an early lead when Pachicano threw an interception to junior cornerback Cedric Griffin, who ran the ball to the endzone for a touchdown. On the next drive, Pachicano fumbled the ball, and the Vikings recovered, which led to a 29-yard field goal, giving Lago Vista a 9-0 lead.
Another interception for Pachicano again proved costly, as favorable field position for the Vikings allowed junior wide receiver Parker Adams to rush up the middle for a touchdown. A failed twopoint conversion made the score 15-0.
Laurence immediately shifted the momentum of the game, as his first drive at quarterback led to a touchdown reception by freshman wide receiver Damien Calico.
Lago Vista responded quickly as junior quarterback Tripp Henderson ran the ball 55 yards for a touchdown.
Taylor senior running back Andrias Fisher made the score 22-15 after a rushing touchdown.
The Ducks tied the game on another Laurence to Calico connection, this time a staggering 67-yard touchdown and a successful two-point conversion.
According to Flowers, Laurence is a team player who stepped up and did what was best for the team.
“(Laurence is) a team player,” Flowers said. “It’s not about his personal accolades or personal position; it’s about the team for Eli Lawrence, which is why he’s the ultimate representative of our program.”
Both teams entered the fourth quarter with 22 points apiece. The final blow for Taylor came on a rushing touchdown from Adams, giving Lago Vista a 29-22 lead.
While the result isn’t what Taylor fans hoped for, Flowers said he’s not worried about his team.
“I know a lot of people are getting impatient, but I promise you it’s coming,” Flowers said. “We’re gonna get better, and our kids are going to turn some heads.”
The Ducks will return home to take on the La Grange Leopards on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
