Will Taylor scores 3 TDs as Putnam North rolls to win
NORMAN — Putnam North star senior Will Taylor hasn’t forgotten the loss from his freshman year.
Norman North hung nearly 50 points on Putnam North that year in a shutout. Taylor was upset and determined to change things.
Thursday night, he was driven.
Taylor scored three touchdowns — each in different ways — to lead No. 8-ranked Putnam North to a 44-14 rout of Norman North to move the Panthers one step closer to a playoff berth for the first time since 2012.
“We wanted to make a statement to show how the program has changed since we were freshmen,” Taylor said.
At 6-foot-3 and 224 pounds, Taylor is a big linebacker committed to Missouri State. But he’s quickly showing he’s more than that.
Taylor caught a touchdown pass, ran for another and also returned an interception for a score for his first three-touchdown performance ever.
"He was all over the field,” Putnam North coach Ryan Laverty said. “He shows up in big games when we’ve got have to have the energy and momentum. He and my nose guard Juan Macedo keep that energy going and keep controlling the middle of the defense.”
Taylor caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Norment early in the second quarter. But his biggest play came with seconds left in the first half.
Putnam North had a 20-7 lead with 26 seconds remaining. Norman North appeared to have momentum after blocking a field goal.
But quarterback Jackson Remualdo made an ill-advised throw. Taylor stepped in front of it and raced 47 yards for a backbreaking touchdown and 27-7 lead.
“You could see the body language change with them,” Laverty said.
Norman North was able to get within two touchdowns again in the third on Blaine Martin’s 4-yard touchdown run, but Norment threw a bullet to Tyce Mythen on fourth down for a touchdown.
Norment completed 18 of 30 passes for 220 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. His TD passes went to three different receivers.
But it was the Panthers’ defense and special teams that really shined.
Norman North committed five turnovers. Putnam North’s DK Stevenson also blocked and recovered a punt in the end zone moments after a huge sack by Macedo.
Norman North also had a late blunder by failing to pick up a high kickoff that Putnam North recovered and turned into Taylor’s short touchdown run.
He was shaken up on the run, but appeared ready for a stretch run the next three weeks against Moore, Mustang and Owasso with a playoff spot so close.
“I just want to show I’m an all-around player because my coaches put me in positions where I can do great,” Taylor said. “They teach me every day to work hard, and I just work hard at everything they put me at.”