From, Ultimate recruit.com
Lake Taylor is still the reigning district champion
by Jamaar Hawkins, recruit757
Team: Lake Taylor (Norfolk, Virginia)
Classification/District: 4A/Eastern
2016 Record: 11-2 (4A East Semifinal loss to Dinwiddie, 29-15)
Head Coach: Hank Sawyer
Colors: Red, Black and White
Mascot: Titans
Each summer, the same question seems to navigate through Eastern District football circles: Is this the year a team finally removes Lake Taylor from atop the district throne?
Since the Titans last suffered a loss to an Eastern District team back in 2010, the answer has been a resounding NO.
Last year, Norview came as close as few have, losing 27-20 on a last-second interception by Titans defensive back Terique Minor. Ironically, Norview also came within a late game drive of defeating Highland Springs in the Group 5A South region final to end the 2016 season.
The Titans only lost two games last year. They were awakened in the season opener by Heritage of Newport News. The Titans got their revenge for that 35-21 loss by dispatching Heritage in the second round of the postseason by a convincing 42-19 score. Lake Taylor’s season ended the next week on the road at Dinwiddie with a hard fought 29-15 loss to the Generals that was much closer than the final score indicates.
Lake Taylor will lose last year’s starter at quarterback Tyrek Hughey and leading rusher Rashawn Griffin. Last year’s top receiver Rashard Russell also graduated leaving the Titans inexperienced in a number of key areas following that 11-2 finish.
Junior Javon Harvey (6’1” 175) will take over for Hughey under center. Harvey will have third-year starter Deon Smith at running back. While 5-foot-9 sophomore Domiinique Beale will step in Griffin’s spot. Sawyer also expects wide receivers Malachi Houchins (SR 6’3”180) and Corey Holloway (JR 6’3”225) to be significant contributors. Senior center Troy Davis, whom Sawyer calls, “one of the best blockers I have coached,” will lead an experienced offensive line that features all juniors and four returning starters.
Sawyer also expects Smith to have another solid season in the backfield, having already amassed over 1,800 yards during his first three seasons with the Titans. It will be up to Smith and Harvey to continue to hammer opposing defenses with Lake Taylor’s trademark veer offense, made famous by the 2000 highly-acclaimed film, “Remember the Titans.”
Defensively, Lake Taylor also replaces last year’s leading tackler Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey with a myriad of players, including senior Jalen Burton. Just like any other season expect Lake Taylor to play an aggressive style of defense relying on constant pressure from a variety of angles. Harvey, along with juniors Derrick Freeman and Donovan Bishop will man the secondary unit. Sawyer’s unit is usually one of the area’s stingiest defenses. The longtime coach enters the 2017 season as the winner of two state titles in three appearances during his tenure with program.
Lake Taylor welcomes regular season contests against formidable opponents in Western Branch and Phoebus, along with the usual rivalry matchup with Norview. Save for a complete disaster at the quarterback position, Lake Taylor is likely poised for another run at a state title, at the very least, another district crown. Norview and Norcom stand as the programs most likely to assert a right to change that.
– Jamaar Hawkins
