Samuel Taylor (42) runs the ball for St. Xavier during the game against PRP at St. Xavier. Sept. 23, 2016
The St. Xavier football team wasn’t even halfway through its first game of the 2016 season, and already things were less than ideal.
The Tigers were missing senior quarterback Desmond Ridder (who was serving a two-game suspension) and found themselves down 28-0 to Lexington Catholic early in the second quarter.
But St. Xavier coach Will Wolford had a plan – running back Sam Taylor.
“You would think we’d panic and do some things that weren’t good for us, but we just kind of tightened it up and said, ‘All right, we’ll get the ball to Sam,’” Wolford said.
Taylor led St. Xavier to a 42-28 comeback victory, ending the game with 254 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries.
“A lot of people had doubts, and then we killed those doubts,” Taylor said.
Three years ago, he had doubts too. Taylor grew up playing at running back in grade school and middle school, but found his confidence shaken when he arrived at St. Xavier.
“I didn’t believe in myself,” he recalled. “I always knew I could do it, but I just didn’t believe at the moment. So I thought I could play outside linebacker.”
In the first game of his freshman year, Taylor sustained a concussion and ended up missing one-third of the season as a result. Come sophomore year, he moved back to running back.
Now in his senior season, Taylor is quickly emerging as a force. He leads the Tigers in rushing yards (630) and touchdowns (6). Through five games, Taylor already has nearly as many carries as he had all of last season.
When this statistic is relayed to Taylor, the running back lets a slight smile cross his face and shifts his weight to the opposite foot.
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“That makes me feel good because I’ve put in a lot of hard work in the offseason and just every day, you know,” he said. “I just take pride in my job, so I like hearing that.”
At 5-foot-10 with a slight build and short blond hair, Taylor is humble when it comes to talking about himself. Only after repeatedly mentioning team goals did he eventually admit his personal mission: to get 12 touchdowns this season, a benchmark he is halfway to reaching. But Taylor isn’t going to pat himself on the back just yet.
“He’s the kind of player that you wish you had 11 of them,” Wolford said. “He doesn’t say much, but he doesn’t have to.”
In the offseason, Taylor took it upon himself to work on his conditioning and strength in the weight room, gaining 10 pounds. His quiet work ethic and maturity, Wolford said, are what make Taylor an effective leader.
If Taylor is talking a lot, it probably means he’s anxious.
“If I’m nervous I’ll go up to people and ask them if they’re nervous, what they think they’re going to do, this and that,” Taylor said. “When I feel the pressure, I just like to talk it out.”
With Friday’s annual rivalry game versus Trinity fast approaching, the pressure is definitely on. In St. Xavier’s two games against Trinity last season, Taylor was held to fewer than 20 yards.
Wolford said the Tigers rely on Taylor’s runs to wear out opponents before the fourth quarter. He hopes to continue that trend against the Shamrocks’ physical front line.
“If they can shut Sam down, if they can shut down our running game, it’s going to be very difficult for us no matter who we play, much less a team like Trinity,” Wolford said.
As always, there is plenty for St. Xavier (4-1) to prove against Trinity (6-0).
“For alumni, family and friends, it’s the Kentucky Derby, and everybody wants to win the Kentucky Derby,” Wolford said. “But for our players, I think they understand that, sure, we want to win this ballgame. But at the end of the year, we’d rather be Horse of the Year than the Kentucky Derby winner.”
Don’t let his quiet demeanor fool you; Taylor, one of eight children, is ultra-competitive. On the sidelines, he is the first to lend his voice to cheering for his teammates. On the field, he wants the ball in his hands whenever possible.
In his performance this season, Taylor has shown he is capable of shouldering responsibility on offense. When he and St. Xavier line up against Trinity, expectations will be high. That’s just fine by Taylor.
“Every week’s a new week,” he said. “I’m looking forward to getting out there Friday and showcasing what our team can do.”
GAME OF THE WEEK
Who: St. Xavier (4-1) vs. Trinity (6-0).
When: 8 p.m. Friday.
Where: Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.
