Transfers pay off for QV
Tri-State Sports & News Service
Neither Jordan Taylor nor Isaiah McNair knew what to expectwhen they made the decision to transfer to Quaker Valley from Ambridge last year.
“It was hard because I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to play for my junior year, but we stayed focused,” McNair said. “It was better not being alone because Jordan was like my brother since wewere little kids.”
Bothplayers were expected to start for the Bridgers, but a coaching upheaval that saw Dan Bradley resign after the 2015 season and Terry George take over the program prompted the two to weigh theiroptions. Instead of riding it out, they opted to move on and play at Quaker Valley. But it wasn’t an easy transitionfor several reasons.
Because it was perceived McNair was leaving, at least partially, for athletic intent, the WPIAL immediately blocked him from playing football at Quaker Valley for a year. Instead of waiting until his senior year to don the black and gold, he appealed the decision to the PIAA, which ruled in the player’s behalf and allowed him to play forthe Quakers in 2016.
“It was very difficult, but we got through it, though,” saidTaylor.
And both made an immediate impact with their new school.
Lastseason, McNair led the team in receiving with 34 catches for 519 yards and also solidified the team defensively. Taylor was right behind him with 15 receptions for 101 yards as the tandem combined for nine touchdowns.
Being on the football team not only helped smooth the social transition to a new school, but it was a boon to the program. Quaker Valley will play for a WPIAL championship for the first time when it takes on rival Aliquippa in the first offour title games Saturday.
“It was difficult at first, but you’ve just got to be yourself,” Taylor said. “I just came into football practice and met the football players and got used to them. We became like brothers and now we’re about to go play at Heinz Field for the WPIAL 3A championship.”
In addition to what the two have done on the field, they have become integral parts of the Quakers locker room hierarchy. As seniors, they have accepted the mantle of leadership and have taken to that role as well as could be expected.
“From what I understand, their maturity level has just blossomed in the last year and a half,” Quaker Valley firstyear coach Jerry Veshio said. “They’ve been included in this senior-laden group and, lastweek, before we left for the game, we had a pregame meal and I look in the locker room and all the senior guys were all sitting around a table together. They didn’t have to do that, but they all decided to hang together and I thought it was good that they all just wanted to sit together and talk.”
Despite their success, there is still pang of regret about leaving Ambridge, even though the Bridgers finished 0-19over the past two seasons.
“I’m real glad about my decision and I think it was the rightone because I’d be sitting at home and watching on TV instead of playing at Heinz Field,” McNair said. “But I do miss Ambridge, though. I miss all the friends I had there and going to school there. I thinkabout that.”
Both players are also being recruited by several small colleges, including Robert Morris. And they’ve shown improvement on the field as McNair caught 43 passes for 806 yards this season, while Taylor has been a dual threat with 854 rushing yards and 24 catchesfor 370 yards.
“It was a good decision for theboth of us and I’m happy to be playing at Heinz Field,” Taylor said. “It just shows the dedication and hard work we had in the offseason and in the weight room and that we put in on the field. It’s paying off and I can’t wait to play Saturdaymorning.”