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The Taylor Titans football organization is one notably on the rise in Howard County. The roster is full of young talent with sprinkles of veteran experience. In spite of the team’s youthfulness, there are expressions of hope for production on both sides of the ball.
“I think we’re going to be learning at the beginning of the season,” stated Titans head coach Josh Ousley, “We are going to be better than we have been, but better does not always translate to wins and losses. Better is maybe better on the scoreboard. We’re going to do a lot of good things.
“It’s important for those older kids to set the tone as far as how we work at practice. With good attitude and positivity. Changing our culture and changing who we are.”
As far as results on the field, the Titans have an opportunity to do some things differently. Veterans like Jay Patterson and Mekhi McGee will be a critical part of that effort. Ousley expects them to “be the first, step up, and do things the right way.”
Patterson, a senior who plays running back on offense and safety on defense, had wise words on how his leadership and performance will look. Being the example is of utmost importance to him. He expressed this in such a manner as to know the possibility of success does not come without positivity. In terms of his play, Jay was confident in voicing that his influence will not go unnoticed.
“[I] just want to be able to pick them [team] up whenever they’re down, to keep a positive mindset,” Patterson said. “I’ve been to a few camps, and I’ve been doing a lot of work on the field. Hitting the hole, being explosive and making better cuts and decisions.”
His awareness of doing the little technical things well gives reason to believe he will be fun to watch.
Speaking of fun to watch, Baris Moore, freshman running back and safety, was described as “electric” last year as an 8th grader at Taylor. He spoke of his capabilities in a confident manner and thinks he can produce right away. Yet, even in his confidence, he still takes cognizance that he can learn as an understudy to the older Patterson.
“I think I can compete at the varsity level right away”, Moore said. “Paying attention to what the person ahead of me does. Taking all the good and anything they may do bad, correct the mistakes to be better.”
Daniel Carrico, middle school athletic coordinator, is proud of how the varsity program is developing. Over the course of the last two years, he has masterfully led in the effort to build up the program from the lower ranks. This statement was made to describe the strategy to build back up to the team numbers of yesteryear.
“I said I want to push up 10 guys every year,” stated Carrico. “The first year I led, we only had 14 kids in our middle school program.”
The middle school program prior to Carrico arriving had won zero games in three years. Following his arrival, the team won four games, and just last year they ended the season 5-3. There appears to be steady progress within the middle school program, which can make an impact on the varsity field.
Jake Leicht, athletic director, is thrilled and displayed a tremendous amount of enthusiasm for the support the Titans are receiving.
“A big thing for us is just a sense of community,” said Leicht. “Now more so than ever we are community driven. The proof is in the pudding, we have more kids going to our school than ever before. When you see some of the things we’re doing, see our kids picking up each other and pushing each other, building leadership skills, that’s what life is about.”
Furthermore, Leicht talked about how they will continue building. “To build on that community, we spent about $50,000 on a new weight room,” he said.
The new weight room space and equipment gives the impression that more muscle can be expected from the Titans this season.
Carrico loves the idea of young players getting on field experience right away.
“(Freshman) Javion Harris is going to play quarterback for us this year,” said Carrico. “(Freshman) Anjelaus Rash is a man [on the line]. We’re going to spread the field, throw the ball, and let them play.”
At wide receiver, McGee will assuredly make brilliant plays down field for the Titans, as history has proven him to do so.
“We’re going to be lot of fun to watch,” said Ousley. “We have some dynamic players who are going to change some things around here and the way that we are perceived with results on the field.”