The Taylor Ducks varsity football team will host the Lago Vista Vikings on Friday, Sept. 12, at 7:30 p.m.
The Ducks are still searching for their first win of the season after falling, 42-28, to Pflugerville Connally last week. The Vikings are also coming off a double-digit loss, 22-6, to Waco Connally.
Despite the setback, Taylor showed significant improvement on offense, finishing with nearly 400 total yards. Much of that came from sophomore quarterback Johnny Guzman, who went 12-of-20 passing for 212 yards and two touchdowns.
Sophomore receiver Damien Calico was Guzman’s top target once again, recording 106 yards and two scores. Calico has now totaled more than 300 receiving yards and three touchdowns through just two games, and he will provide a tough test for a Vikings secondary that has allowed only 160 passing yards per game and just one touchdown through the air this season.
Guzman also led Taylor in rushing with 82 yards, giving the Ducks a dual-threat option behind center. The Ducks may need to lean heavily on his all-around playmaking ability to move the ball against Lago Vista. Junior running back Eric Walker will also look to spark the ground game.
Defensively, Taylor must find answers after giving up more than 40 points in each of its first two games, including 314 rushing yards and four touchdowns last week. The Ducks will rely on junior linebacker Landon Coulter, who leads the team with 13 tackles, and senior linebacker Kezian Simien, who has recorded 11.
Fortunately for Taylor, Lago Vista has struggled to score early in the season, averaging fewer than 10 points per game.
Friday’s matchup could be decided in the trenches, where the Ducks will need to shore up their defensive line and limit turnovers to give themselves a chance at their first victory.
