Taylor's 'all-time performance' pushed CB West into district semifinals
DOYLESTOWN — It kinda figured since he'd done so much already.
After visiting Garnet Valley had scored first in overtime in a wild PIAA District One Class 6A semifinal, Central Bucks West needed another huge play.
And senior Cooper Taylor, again, provided it.
The senior "do everything" raced in from the left side and blocked the point-after try, making it a six-point game. It was the first time he'd ever blocked a kick.
Then, two plays later, on offense, he raced into the left corner of the end zone from eight yards out to knot the score.
From there, all the Bucks needed was a good conversion and junior Ryan Clemens nailed it with, naturally, Taylor holding the ball, to give the hosts a thrilling 28-27 victory over the two-time defending district champs. A year ago, the Jaguars defeated the Bucks 35-7 in the district title game.
"In my six years here, I've never seen an individual performance like that," West head coach Rob Rowan said. "I don't even know how to explain it."
Have a look: Postseason Superstars: The top performances from last week's district finals, playbacks
The bottom line is this: The top-seeded Bucks, now 12-0, advanced to the district semifinals where they'll face rival CB South next Friday at home with a spot in the district title game on the line. The fifth-seeded Titans (11-1) knocked off fourth-seeded Spring-Ford 35-19 in another quarterfinal Friday. South's only loss came in Week 9 against West, 40-29.
Back to Taylor.
In summation, this is what he did: 182 rushing yards on 22 carries with 119 of those yards coming in the second half and overtime; four rushing touchdowns; a clutch interception, his first since sophomore year, that halted an early Jaguars drive; and the blocked extra point.
"This is the best team I've ever played on and these guys will all do whatever takes to win," Taylor said. "There is no quit in anybody. It's just an amazing feeling."
Injured CB West duo still helping: Cooper, Cleland contributing to Bucks in playoffs
Taylor is one of the few standouts still going for the Bucks.
They lost three-year starting quarterback Ganz Cooper to a preseason knee injury. Then senior linebacker/wide receiver/punter Matt Cleland sustained a season-ending injury. And just last Monday electrifying senior wide receiver/defensive back Conor McFadden was diagnosed with a torn ACL suffered early in the opening-round win over Cheltenham.
"We've preached the 'next man up' all year and that's what we've been doing," Rowan said. "Now, it's really hard to replace the guys we've lost, but other guys are stepping right in.
"And with what Cooper did tonight, I don't have the words to describe it."
Game Balls
Jack Williams, CB West, senior. The defensive end/tight end did his usual and that's being a disruptive force on defense either stuffing the run, chasing down the quarterback, deflecting passes and simply dominating. He also handles the punting chores and is a crushing blocker on offense.
Devin McGowan, CB West, junior. The wide receiver, who stepped into McFadden's role, caught four key passes for 38 yards and had 20 rushes on four tries. Remember the name.
Ryan Clemens, CB West, junior. The running back/kicker rushed for 147 yards on 20 carries and drilled all four extra point tries.
Tough loss for CB West: Senior football star McFadden suffers season-ending knee injury
Drew Markol: dmarkol@theintell.com; @dmarkol
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Taylor does it all for CB West in overtime district playoff victory
