Taylor Drops High-Scoring Tilt at Lawrence Tech
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Taylor used outstanding special teams play to open a 14-point first-half lead at Lawrence Tech (2-7, 1-5 MSFA) on Saturday, but the hosts rallied back on their Senior Day to steal a 41-37 victory over TU.
TU momentarily overcame a sluggish start and scored 25 points in the second quarter to grab a 31-17 lead. LTU closed the opening half with a touchdown however, and carried the momentum over into the second half, finishing the contest by outscoring Taylor, 24-6, to complete the comeback.
Taylor had trouble slowing the Lawrence Tech passing game, yielding 297 yards through the air while managing only 293 total yards of offense.
TU nearly came away with a victory despite those numbers due to being plus-one in takeaways and benefitting from 12 LTU penalties.
The play of the Trojans on special teams also provided a spark for TU, as a successful onside kick, followed by a blocked punt from Jonathan Harris led to 10 points and a 17-14 lead after TU faced a quick 14-3 deficit.
After the hosts had tied the game, Harris provided another game-changing play, this time taking the ensuing kickoff 94 yards for a score and a 24-17 Taylor lead.
Damon Hockett then pushed the lead to 31-17 with a 32-yard completion to Jack D’arcy to cap a 28-3 burst from the Trojans.
Hockett ended the game 11-of-15 through the air for 113 yards and two scores, while also pacing TU on the ground with 12 carries for 66 yards.
D’Arcy and Stephen Ellis each caught one touchdown, with Ja Thomas piling up 58 rushing yards on five touches.
Lucas Shilts was impressive once again, going three-for-three in field goals and hitting from 45, 32 and 25 yards away.
Jacob Hockett and Caleb Ranzau led the Trojans on defense with nine hits each, with Ranzau posting two sacks and four tackles for negative yardage.
Harris was the star for Taylor however, posting a 94-yard touchdown return, a 27-yard punt return and a blocked punt.
Taylor (2-8, 1-5 MSFA) will close its season on November 11 with a Senior Day contest inside Turner Stadium against Saint Francis (5-4, 4-2 MSFA) at 1:00 pm. The Senior Day festivities will be held on the field at approximately 12:40 pm.
