Taylor was a big part of the Bulldogs’ 56-28 win over El Paso Montwood last week as he recorded five tackles, 1 ½ sacks and quarterback pressure.

Taylor and MHS (1-0) look to build on the performance when they host Lubbock Coronado (1-0) for their home opener at 7pm on Friday at Astound Broadband Stadium.

“We’re not happy with just one win,” Taylor said. “We want to keep building, prepare for the district and take it one win at a time. One victory at a time. »

Taylor originally appeared as a running back in the Bulldogs program but was moved to the defensive side when Fortune and his coaching staff took over in 2021. 6-foot-1, 195-pound Taylor adopted movement.

“Anything that helps the team, I will do,” Taylor said. “I had to relearn how to tackle. It was a big difference between running touchdowns and getting your hands in the dirt and getting dirty because you have to get dirty with the big o line.

Fortune says Taylor stands out for her speed, quickness and athleticism in the end.

“He’s so explosive and so quick that he’s able to make things tough on a defense,” Fortune said of Taylor.

Taylor said he thrived in his new position because he listened to the advice of co-defensive coordinator Eric Jonas, who stressed him being explosive across the gap and playing low and fast.

Taylor is the president of the regional chapter of a state student organization called the Texas Association of Future Educators.

Taylor’s career goal is to be a teacher and coach, and he’s already well ahead of his schedule. He helps teach physical education classes for first, second, and fourth graders at Bowie Fine Arts Academy.

“It’s just fun to be around the little ones and help them out,” Taylor said. “Teach them to play sports and stuff like that. Exercise with them.

Taylor hopes Fortune will consider bringing him back to Memorial Stadium one day as a coach.

Fortune joked that he only thought about what he wanted to eat for lunch as a high school student, so it’s impressive to see a kid like Taylor who already has a plan in place about his career plans.

“I’ve seen it with the kids, the kids love it,” Fortune said. “He works at the (YMCA). He’s just a really good boy and he’s really grown and matured over the last year and a half in our program and become a good defensive lineman that we rely on a lot to get after the quarterback.

Taylor was also one of nine players selected to serve on the Bulldogs Leadership Council, also known as Dawg Nine. Taylor said the nine players have an important role to play in motivating and inspiring young players.

“We set the tempo,” Taylor said. “If we don’t set the tempo, the training will be interrupted, so we have to set the tempo.”

Fortune says Taylor earned her status on the team through her hard work in the weight room.

“He’s just a great boy to be around,” Fortune said. “He just has a great spirit around him. He will joke with you, but then he works hard when he is supposed to work hard. He responds to coaching.

Taylor’s thoughts will be with senior linebacker Le’Brian Perez when he faces the Mustangs on Friday. Perez is currently undergoing treatment for leukemia in the Metroplex.

Perez was supposed to start alongside Taylor at outside linebacker on defense.

“(Le’Brian) brought the juice,” Taylor said of Perez’s intensity and energy. “He brought the juice every time he was on the pitch. When I go out on the pitch, I want to play for No.4.”

Follow Christopher on Twitter: @chris_MRTsports

LUBBOCK CORONADO AT MIDLAND HIGH

When or: 7 p.m. Friday, Astound Broadband Stadium

Radio: KFZX (102.1FM)

On line: www.midlandisdsports-bulldogs.com/broadcasts

For live updates: Follow @chris_MRTsports on Twitter

Recordings: Coronado 1-0; MHS 1-0

Last match: Coronado 20, France 14; MHS 56, El Paso Montwood 28

Last meeting/series: Coronado won. MHS 42-17 in 2021. MHS leads the series, 15-4.

What to watch

–The Bulldogs are coming off their best offensive performance in school history, as they tied the school record with 632 total yards and broke the school record with 558 yards in the blowout victory last week against Montwood.

–Fortune thinks the Class 5A Division I Mustangs will be a formidable test for MHS after beating District 2-6A foe Frenship last week.

“They’re really good,” Fortune said. “I think they are very athletic. They are fast. They play physical. They’re a fun team to watch. They play with a lot of energy and a lot of passion, so we have to match that.

–Coronado QB Jett Carroll threw for 3,179 yards and 31 touchdowns last season.

“He throws the ball well,” Fortune said. “He can throw well on the run. He moves well.

–Fortune says Mustang’s defense revolves around junior Willie Parker and senior John Curry, both linebackers.

–MHS hasn’t won consecutive games since the 2016 season. It was also the last time the Bulldogs started 2-0.

Next: Amarillo High at MHS, 7 p.m. Sept. 8; Coronado to Wichita Falls Rider, 7 p.m. Sept. 9