Carl Albert’s Taylor getting stronger
Tied at halftime for the second time in the playoffs, Carl Albert players gathered around star senior Dadrion Taylor on the new turf at Owasso High School.
Taylor, a passionate player, put emphasis into each word he yelled.
He talked about playing with energy and playing for each other. He even brought up tradition. But then his words became prophetic.
“I’m going to do what I gotta do for you guys and I expect you to do the same for me,” Taylor told his teammates.
Taylor delivered on his promise.
He rushed for 221 of his 315 yards and three of his five touchdowns in the second half to propel No. 1-ranked Carl Albert to a 37-20 win over No. 3 Collinsville in the Class 5A state semifinals.
Taylor, known as “Rabbit,” is The Oklahoman’s Player of the Week.
“He was totally locked in,” Carl Albert coach Mike Corley said. “He performs well in big games. You can really tell when he was locked in and he was definitely locked in. He just turned it on the other night.”
Taylor, after missing four games with a knee injury early in the season, has only gotten stronger. In the playoffs, he’s taken his game to a new level
scoring 12 of the Titans’ 15 touchdowns.
“I want to prove I’m the best athlete in the state of Oklahoma,” Taylor said.
Last season, Taylor rushed for 1,977 yards and 22 TDs, averaging 9.2 yards per carry. It was a year that solidified him as one of the state’s best running backs.
That’s why big things were expected this season on the field and in recruiting. At 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, Taylor holds multiple Division I scholarships offers, including Air Force, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Army and Missouri State.
But that month on the sideline appeared to set everything back.
Until the playoffs started.
“If he breaks free and if someone challenges him he’s pretty good at finishing that run off,” Corley said. “His speed looked really good the other night. When he broke through, he really turned it on. He looked good.”
Taylor’s words to his teammates were never more on point.
Taylor has one more game to deliver for his teammates one more time Friday night in the Class 5A title game against No. 2 Ardmore (13-0).
“Our school is all about tradition,” Taylor said. “Everybody wants to make the playoffs, but that’s not us. Carl Albert isn’t known for just making the playoffs. We’re known for winning state championships, so that’s something we’ve got to go out and provide for our community and our school.”