The Taylor Ducks varsity football team will host the Austin LBJ Jaguars on Friday, Oct.
31, at 7:30 p.m. as both teams enter the matchup undefeated in district play.
Taylor is coming off a 46-12 win over Eastside Early College, while LBJ dominated Northeast Early College 71-7 last week.
The Ducks enter the game with uncertainty at quarterback after starter Johnny Guzman went down with an apparent ankle injury.
Guzman has been the team’s offensive leader this season, throwing for 1,204 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 304 rushing yards and five more scores.
If Guzman is unable to play, freshman Jeremiah Caldwell is expected to get the start. Caldwell has already gained valuable experience under center this season, accounting for nearly 500 total yards and seven touchdowns.
Freshman wide receiver Elijah Afenkhena has been Taylor’s top target with 474 yards and six touchdowns, including another score last week against Eastside. Senior wideout Zavier Stokes ranks second on the team with 236 yards and four touchdowns.
The Ducks’ rushing attack has been led by junior running back Eric Walker, who has totaled 835 yards and eight touchdowns. Junior Landon Coulter has also contributed on the ground with four scores this season.
LBJ features one of the district’s most explosive offenses, led by senior quarterback Jayelen House, who has thrown for more than 1,400 yards and 21 touchdowns. His top targets include seniors Louis Hickman and Javarlyn Smith, while running back Marquis Murry has been a standout on the ground with 18 total touchdowns.
Taylor’s defense will face its toughest test of district play against the Jaguars’ balanced offensive attack. The Ducks have allowed just under 14 points per game in district play but will now be tasked with slowing down the highest-scoring offense in the district.
Senior Kezian Simien and junior Billy Harrison have anchored Taylor’s defense throughout the season.
Offensively, the Ducks will need to keep pace.
Taylor has scored more than 46 points in each of its four district matchups but will face an LBJ defense that has not allowed more than nine points in any district game this year.
Key factors for Taylor will be limiting turnovers and maintaining composure, especially if the freshman Caldwell is called upon to start at quarterback.
