Katy Taylor hopes fine-tuning pays off coming out of bye week

The score looks familiar. Katy Taylor opened the season with a win over Clements for the second straight year, winning 42-7 at Mercer Stadium after prevailing in last year’s matchup 40-14 at Rhodes.

But the way the Mustangs went about wrangling the Rangers was much different.

“We moved the ball a little bit more offensively this year, as opposed to last year, and just played good, sound defense,” coach Trey Herrmann said. “We didn’t force a lot of turnovers, but credit Clements for that. They did a good job with ball security and making sure they didn’t put it in the air too much.”

It was the start Herrmann was looking for going into his second season, which continues this Saturday after an early bye week.

The coach was particularly happy with his defense, which was stronger at the line and firing off the ball more aggressively.

“I wanted to see us be a little bit more efficient on first down,” he said.

“Last year, we caused turnovers in some key situations that helped create stops defensively, but we were pretty porous on first down. And this year, so far at least, through the scrimmage and then also (Saturday), we’re holding people to around a yard or less on a carry, which is what we’re looking for.”

Herrmann said the Mustangs also graded out well on the offensive line, with few busts.

They helped keep new starting quarterback David Perkins upright, and Perkins, who Herrmann said may be the best pocket passer he’s coached, rewarded them with 144 yards and one touchdown passing.

“David helps to give us that extra aspect offensively,” Herrmann said.

“We want to run the football and establish that kind of a dominant run game,,” Herrmann said. “But at the same time he shows that we’re able to put it in the air and have some success that way. Any time you’ve got that dual package coming out of your backfield, you’ve got a chance to be successful.”

The Mustangs saw five players rush for touchdowns.

The starting tailback is Ean Beek, who played well despite missing his starting fullback, Shane Williams (ankle), who was injured the day before the game. Rayshine Gabriel and Josh Thibodeaux also supplied big runs.

“All of them did a great job,” Herrmann said. “Ean’s our starter but we definitely have some other guys who can tote the ball for us.”

Other key players on offense include wide receivers Jacob Yohr and Brayten Kubecka, Camron Horry, who switched from tackle to tight end, and OT Rodney Rodriguez, their highest graded O-lineman.

Coming off the bye week, Herrmann said he had a chance to catch up on paperwork and make sure his players brushed up their technique.

Then he spent the rest of the week gearing up for College Park.

They meet at 7 p.m. Friday at Woodforest Stadium.

“We want to continue to be physical up front on both sides of the ball,” Herrmann said. “We did a great job with that this last week and we know they’re going to be big and physical up front, so it’ll be a great test to see where we’re at there.” jasonrmcdaniel@outlook. com.