LOCKHART – The Taylor Ducks’ season ended Friday, Nov. 14, with a 63-19 loss to Canyon Lake in the bidistrict round of the Class 4A playoffs.
Taylor started fast as sophomore quarterback Johnny Guzman hit freshman wide receiver Elijah Afenkhena for a 75-yard touchdown on the third play of the game. The Ducks missed the extra point but took an early 6-0 lead.
Canyon Lake answered immediately and took control. Quarterback Jace Wheeler scored on an 11-yard run to give the Hawks a 7-6 lead, and running back Chris Brown broke loose for a 41-yard touchdown to extend it. Wheeler added another rushing score from 20 yards out, pushing Canyon Lake ahead 21-6 late in the first quarter.
Taylor briefly halted the momentum when Guzman found freshman receiver Jeremiah Caldwell for a 21-yard touchdown, trimming the deficit to 21-12 after a failed two-point attempt. The Hawks responded with 14 unanswered points, stretching their lead to 35-12.
Caldwell struck again before halftime, making a 21-yard touchdown catch for his second score of the game to bring Taylor within 35-19. But the Ducks would not score again, and Canyon Lake’s offense continued to roll. The Hawks scored 28 unanswered points in the second half, relying heavily on a run game that Taylor struggled to contain.
Canyon Lake finished with 277 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, consistently finding room between the tackles. The Hawks also added 236 passing yards and two scores to balance their attack.
Guzman led the Ducks with 323 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, while also rushing for 104 yards. Caldwell paced the receiving corps with 122 yards and two touchdowns, and Afenkhena added 90 yards on his long scoring play.
Taylor closed the season at 4-6 overall but went 4-1 in district play to earn its first playoff berth since 2021. With Guzman, Caldwell and Afenkhena all returning— along with several other key contributors— the Ducks bring back a strong offensive core and will look to build on a promising foundation heading into next season.
