Lock Haven goes on the road for season finale against Mercyhurst
Trending
LOCK HAVEN -- It is time for the final ride in the rodeo for the 2017 Lock Haven University football team as the Bald Eagles head west, then north for the season-ending battle with Team 11 a.k.a. Mercyhurst.
The Bald Eagles are coming off a historic 66-47 win over East Stroudsburg, their fourth win in the last five games. As for the historic events, it was the scoring of 66 points which is the most ever scored in a single game in the history of Lock Haven football, while the four wins to date is the most recorded by the Crimson & White since the 2004 season.
"I felt like we were due to a certain degree of having a big offensive day because we at times played really well," said Taynor. "We were much improved up front as far as controlling the game over the last few weeks. We also have shown at times the ability to be very explosive on the passing side of things too. Up to now, we hadn't put together a whole picture for a big explosion off of it, but I would say we were a little bit due to have that type of game. Things just aligned and fell in place. Team 10 made a commitment on loading the box up early and with Shawn Seif we were able to take advantage of it. He had a huge day with nine catches for 210 yards and four touchdowns in the first half. He made some plays and Caleb (quarterback Walton) delivered the ball well and things kind of snowballed from there.
As for keeping things moving forward, it more than likely came down to maturity.
"They scored and we responded," said Taynor. "We didn't have those moments where in the past we would ask ourselves, what bad could happen. Instead we played the next play, the next snap and moved on and every time we were challenged, we responded with an answer."
After the slow start (0-5) by his club, Taynor's crew had the goal of posting a winning mark (4-3) in conference play, a goal they reached with the win over the Warriors last Saturday.
"That was one of the big steps we were hoping to take," said Taynor. "Going into the game we had the opportunity to secure the first winning record in divisional play since 1979 so it was sort of the case of shedding some of the baggage of recent history. We were able to move beyond that and the last win over Team 10 (East Stroudsburg) was in 1989 so to get that shredded a little more baggage. Overall, it takes off some of those personal demons that you want to remove so you can continue to grow and build a program like you want to have so I was happy to see some of that move aside."
Although the Lakers are struggling through a 2-8 campaign, Taynor knows he and his players have to be on top of their game to return home with a win Saturday.
"In the first place, Team 11 beat one of the teams we lost to and they (Kutztown) are representing the PSAC-East in the conference championship game," said Taynor. "They played a very tight game against IUP so they have the ability to beat anybody in the conference on any given day. They also played well against Slippery Rock earlier in the year so they are a very good football team. It is a game where we are going to have to show up and throw the records out the door. Who really cares about your record or your name? Just show up and play good football."
So what can the Bald Eagles expect from the Lakers?
"They have some very talented, skilled football players," Taynor said. "Number 5 (tailback) is kind of a multi-skilled player and they do a lot of things with him like Bloomsburg does with (Lawrence) Elliott and East Stroudsburg does with Robert Healy. Up front on both sides of the ball, you would characterize them as being extremely high effort guys. They have good size and they play the game the way it was designed to be played. They finish well up front (offensively) and defensively they run to the football well. They pursue to the football much better than their record would indicate. They are a better defensive football team than they get credit for."
Although they were already recognized on Senior Day prior to the big win over Bloomsburg, Saturday's game with the Lakers will be the career finale for a dozen seniors. Included in that group are Adrian Pritchett, Caleb Walton, Carmelo Cruz, Dan Krupko, Jacob Jones, Kevin Chapple, Rahjeir Miles-Eubanks, Ryan Fink, Shane Rafter, Shawn Seif, Tyler Gallashaw and William Sensenderfer.
"It is great for us to win and have some success to start removing some of that historical baggage," said Taynor. "To see our senior class realize some of the fruits of their investment over time is great. I am very proud and happy for them. They can walk out of here with a winning record on the PSAC-East ledger and that is something they have earned. They have also been a big part of building the tradition of Lock Haven Bald Eagle football so I am happy for them. The last week of practice is always emotional and when we get to that last practice, we will do a senior walk off the field and I'll talk to them. They will make one final walk through the tunnel and they will leave something in a chest that we carry out with us because when you are a college football player, you always leave a part of yourself out on the field forever. We are very happy that they have helped this program make consistent progress over the last two years since I have been here. We are definitely going to miss them, but they have also had a big part in helping to develop the young guys in the program."