Head coach talks QB battle, fast starts and team expectations
The Taylor High School varsity football team is set to begin fall practice on Monday, Aug. 5, as the Ducks prepare to build on last year’s district championship season.
Head coach Earven Flowers offered insight on the team’s ongoing quarterback competition, the emphasis on fast starts, and what he expects from his players entering the 2025 campaign.
“Our big thing this year is the next step,” Flowers said. “We have that championship now, so how do we get past that third round? How do we win that first-round playoff game that we haven’t won in a while? There are little things we can fix like penalties and mental mistakes, and I’m looking forward to our kids competing for positions. We have a lot of competitive battles going on — from quarterback to safety, corner and linemen — so it’s going to be something to look forward to. I’m excited for it.”
Last season, Taylor had to replace starting quarterback Joshua Mikulencak and eventually turned to former tight end Eli Laurence, who went on to throw for 2,075 yards and 22 touchdowns. This fall, the Ducks once again face a quarterback decision, and Flowers outlined what he’s looking for during fall camp.
“We’re looking for the guy who is not going to turn the ball over and can execute the offense,” he said. “That’s big for us because we’ve got some guys returning on defense, so if our offense can move the ball and get points on the board, positive things are going to happen.”
Beyond quarterback, Flowers emphasized that open spots across the roster will create chances for players to step up.
“All you look for is opportunity — opportunity to go out there and help your program be the best it can be,” Flowers said. “That’s the mentality our guys have to think with. It’s important for them to pay attention to detail, trust their coaches and be good teammates.
Roster turnover is nothing but opportunity, and if you take advantage of that, good things are going to happen.”
Taylor got off to a slow start last season, losing all four of its non-district games and committing double-digit turnovers during that stretch. Flowers said limiting mistakes early has been a major point of emphasis heading into the new year.
“Turnovers and penalties were something we focused on last offseason, but we have to start even earlier now,” he said. “That’s been the big thing for us — having a sense of urgency. We don’t always have the time you think you do, so we’re taking advantage of the time now.
Let’s have that sense of urgency and win the games we can win.”
Taylor enters the season as the reigning District 13-4A Division I champion after Austin LBJ was stripped of its wins due to residency violations. The Ducks will kick off the 2025 season on the road against Gatesville on Friday, Aug. 29.
Taylor High School football head coach Earven Flowers spoke about what he expects from his team during fall practice. Photo courtesy of Taylor ISD
