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Taylor A Tall Task For Wildcat Opponents

Last updated Thursday, September 18, 2008 7:52 PM CDT in Prep Sports

By Brandon Harris
SPECIAL TO THE MORNING NEWS

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    SPRINGDALE -- So what if Brad Taylor is a little out of position for his size?

    When you're 6-foot-5, 200 pounds and just started your senior year of high school, there's going to be a place for you on the football field. Even in situations like at Springdale Har-Ber -- where his ideal position doesn't really exist -- someone with the size and skillset of Taylor belongs on the field and in the starting lineup.

    Har-Ber coach Chris Wood visions Taylor as an ideal combination of a tight end and an H-back, neither of which the Wildcats employ that often. So when Har-Ber lines up in its usual spread, pistol formation, the next-best thing is to put Taylor -- the Wildcats' leading receiver -- in at the slot.

    "It's a good size matchup for us," Wood said. "He's really an ideal fit for a tight end or H-back, but we don't utilize that a whole bunch. We've done some stuff this year to try and create opportunities for him. He's got the ability to be a really good tight end or H-back at the next level."

    Two games into the season, though, Taylor's made quite a home at slot receiver. His 152 yards receiving leads the team, and his average of 21 yards per catch fits perfectly with Har-Ber's big-play offense.

    And, of course, much of Taylor's success comes with the help of his overwhelming height. He's the second-tallest player on the team -- only 6-6 noseguard Richard Reynolds is listed taller -- and the 20 pounds he added in the offseason have done wonders for his ability to dominate defensive backs.

    "Being so tall, going up and getting balls is a bit easier," Taylor said. "It's great to go up high and catch the football. It helps you out to be able to get separation from the secondary and make catches."

    Taylor had four catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns in Har-Ber's 48-10 rout of Alma last week. Two of the receptions came after Taylor had run his route, shook off a defender and simply stood in place waiting on quarterback Zach Faust's throw.

    "He's so deserving of everything that he gets," wide receivers coach Ric Davies said. "He's truly a product of hard work, the weight room, the offseason and 7-on-7. He's not a really vocal guy, but he's a leader by his actions."

    Profile



    BRAD TAYLOR

    School: Springdale Har-Ber

    Class: Senior

    Height: 6-5

    Weight: 200

    Notable: Taylor added 20 pounds in the offseason, helping him bulk up from an ultra-thin, 180-pound frame at the end of last season.

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