Taffe joins long line of great backs at McGuinness

Bishop McGuinness football coach Bryan Pierce watched as junior running back Michael Taffe ran through his reps during the fourth day of practice in August.

Some notable players from the Fighting Irish’s many Class 5A state championship runs had graduated, most recently Oklahoma State’s Dominic Richardson and Luke Tarman.

That meant the torch had to be passed on.

Pierce already knew who his guy was. “He’s going to carry the load for us on offense,” Pierce said of Taffe in August.

This season was the start of Taffe’s tenure as the lead man of the McGuinness offense and on Friday, he proved he can handle the load as the Irish took on its rival Tulsa Bishop Kelley.

“It was just a lot,” Taffe said, describing the McGuinness players in the locker room before the game.

“Because that game was a key game, a rivalry game, so nobody wanted to lose that game.”

Taffe made sure McGuinness didn’t flounder.

He ran the ball 16 times for 106 yards and four touchdowns to go along with five catches and 56 yards to lead McGuinness over the Comets 49-6 to avenge last season’s loss.

For his performance, The Oklahoman’s staff has named Taffe its Player of the Week.

“We’ve had some great running backs come through here and he just fits that bill.”

Bryan Pierce

McGuinness coach, on Michael Taffe

“He’s taken ownership of that position in our offense,” Pierce said.

“We’ve had some great running backs come through here and he just fits that bill. He carries the ball, he’s a strong runner, he gets the tough yards, he’s just one of those guys we’re planning on getting the ball in his hands 20 plus times a game.”

Taffe isn’t the loudest player in the locker room or the most vocal guy on the sideline.

So if his team needs a boost, he takes care of it with his actions on the field.

“My mindset was just to help the team out,” Taffe said, “do everything I can.”

Taffe is no stranger to putting together outstanding performances. He’s played a vital role in the McGuinness offense since he’s been there.

It’s just now he’s the main focus for other teams to scheme against. And he’s handled it well.

“He’s a team player,” Pierce said.

“He enjoys being around his teammates. He isn’t a vocal leader but he’s a leader by what he does on the field and how he plays and his presence.”

DOUG HOKE/THE OKLAHOMAN McGuinness' Michael Taffe (1) stiff-arms Putnam City's Devin Jones during a high school football scrimmage at Putnam City Stadium.