First-year Alma quarterback learned quickly what it means to bleed green
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
Quarterbacks tend to see things from a clearer perspective - zone coverages and blitzing linebackers. When to run and pass.
For Michael Taylor, this also includes walking from class to class on Alma High School’s sprawling campus.
“One thing I’ve noticed, is people here take everything for granted,” he said. “At Roland (Okla.), we had three hallways. We had the gym, where everyone sort of met, and we had a practice field that was mostly dirt. I tell everyone at team meals, ‘Guys, this whole community gives to this program."
“It’s a blessing to be part of this team.”
Although raised in Alma, Taylor didn’t officially become an Airedale until the early summer of 2023. It’s been a good fit for the former Roland Ranger in more ways than one.
“On the last day of school at Roland (2022-23 school year), I came over and talked to Dr. (Jason) Reeves and Mr. (Brian) Kirkendoll. They showed me around. Compared to Roland, it seemed like a college,” explained Taylor. “With the teachers and everyone else, it seemed like this is where you want to be.”
Eight games into his senior season, Taylor and the Airedales’ football team have endured a rollercoaster ride met with more chills than frills. Of course, football isn’t easy. There have been setbacks and injuries.
But one thing no one can take from Taylor and his teammates is courage. John Wayne said it best, “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.”
It’s 82 degrees (or the type of weather Michael calls “perfect”) as the Airedales work on drills. Unlike some schools, however, where quarterbacks are clutching a football and waiting to be called on by the head coach, Michael Taylor is working on linebacker pass drills with assistant coach Thomas Mata.
A small roster, coupled with the usual bumps and bruises, gives ‘next man up’ a whole new meaning at Alma High School.
"It's playing with heart,” Taylor said. “Playing with heart is one of the big key factors. We have to keep playing and doing our thing. It's been hard, and it's (small roster) been a factor, but people are playing with everything they've got."
Taylor threw for 177 yards and scored on a short TD run in last week’s 42-0 win over Clarksville. And, though his overall numbers aren’t the stuff of legend, he’s turned the ball over just five times through eight games, throwing for 1,205 yards and seven touchdowns, against just for interceptions, including just one over the last live games.
"We've just got to focus week by week and work every day at practice,” he said. “Being accountable and executing at practice is a good thing. Growing up, Dad (Lawrence Taylor) was always kind of hard on us, and we're starting to see the outcome. We're able to handle adversity. When your schedule gets tight, you know what your priorities are and what you need to focus on at that time. I've always had my family and teammates.”
Four weeks ago, the Airedales’ quarterback took a snap in the pistol formation and began churning forward. As Morrilton players bounced off of him, one by one, Taylor turned an ordinary six-yard run into a 34-yard touchdown scamper.
“I had to follow my blockers and I made some guys miss," he said. "They weren't wrapping up and I took advantage of that. Somehow I stayed in bounds."
Taylor’s fourth-quarter run, followed later by a 4-yard burst, had the Airedales within a point of the highly-touted Devil Dogs. Ultimately, despite recovering an onside kick, Taylor and the Airedales couldn’t overcome a late 14-point deficit.
“I think a game like that makes you want to come back even stronger and harder,” Taylor said. “We were right there."