HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Big All-City roster unveiled
Check out The Oklahoman’s selections for the Big All-City team, and the offensive and defensive players of the year.
Checking in with his coach the day after his sophomore season ended, Putnam North linebacker Will Taylor felt sick.
He had just watched the senior class of 2016 go out with seven straight losses, including losing the final three games by a combined score of 152-14 to finish the year 1-9.
Taylor sat down with coach Ryan Laverty to tell him he would not be going out that same way.
“I went to Coach Lav just to tell him I wasn’t going to let that happen,” Taylor said. “I told him I wanna change the program.”
Taylor kept that promise, helping lead Putnam North from the cellar of Class 6A-I back to the playoffs for the first time in six years. The Panthers finished with an 8-3 record.
Taylor, a Missouri State signee, collected 132 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions from his linebacker spot, helping Putnam North limit opponents to 21 points per game. Taylor also scored five touchdowns on offense, rushing for more three touchdowns while catching two others.
Taylor has been selected as The Oklahoman’s Big All-City Defensive Player of the Year.
Taylor said it took a total team shift in mentality to help change the Panthers.
Accountability was key. Optional conditioning became mandatory. Film study became a regular part of game prep. Taylor made sure nobody rested once they tasted success.
“We looked at our mistakes full on,” Taylor said. “We cherished the things we did good, but accepted the areas we still needed to work on.
“We pushed each other to keep growing.”
Putnam North started of 5-0, its best start in years.
But Taylor said his teammates never became arrogant, instead always reminding each other about where they started.
“That’s how we lived,” Taylor said. “I knew everyone had my back, and they all I knew I would do anything for them.
“It didn’t end the way we wanted, but the journey was amazing.”