TCHS Running Back Damien Taylor Talks Wildcats Football

Tuscaloosa County High School running back, Damien Taylor, joined The Gary Harris Show to talk about his career with the Wildcats so far and his goals for the upcoming season. You can listen to the full interview on Soundcloud or on the Tide 100.9 Youtube page.

TCHS plays in the 7A classification of the Alabama High School Athletic Asociation. Taylor rushed for 1,851 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior in 2019 and was one of the more impressive players in the Tuscaloosa area. Taylor expects the Wildcats to enjoy a successful 2020 season.

"Defense wins championships. Even though offense gets all the glory, defense wins championships. Right now, we have captains at every level on the defensive side," said Taylor.

Impressive for a young running back to give credit to his defensive counterparts when discussing his teams hopes for next season.

Taylor plays for former Tuscaloosa County High School quarterback, Deon Williams. Taylor said Williams has been a great influence on him as an offensive coordinator. Williams is able to explain the glory days of TCHS football and inspire Taylor to lead the Wildcats back to those successful times.

Taylor was extremely complimentary of TCHS Head Coach, Jay Todd.

"If we let him lead us, and buy into his motto 'Standard of Excellence' he can lead us on a a playoff run and possibly a State Championship," said Taylor.

Entering his senior year, Taylor has collegiate scholarship offers from Troy, Southern Miss, Jacksonville State, South Alabama, UT-Martin, Arkansas State and Samford. He is looking to add to those offers with a strong senior year.

Last season Taylor rushed for 375 yards and five touchdowns against Birmingham's Spain Park High School.

"Honestly Gary, I really don't know. Right before the game we went into the press-box. I don't normally talk before a game but I text my Auntie, I said, 'You might wanna be here cuz I'm fixin' to do something special' which I didn't know I really was going to. I remember the first drive, I broke a 45-yard run and ended up being pushed out of bounds. I came to the sidelines with my head down like 'what-the-crap Damien I can't let that happen.' I remember Coach D he started patting my back, he told me, 'Don't worry about it, just keep moving.' When he said that, I don't know what it did but it just put something through my body. When I got back on the field I was like, 'It is what it is, let's go I'm ready to rock and roll now, let's get it,'" said Taylor.

The running back's goal is to get to 2,000 yards this coming year and lead his team to more success in the W-L column. TCHS opens up the season against rivals Paul Bryant High School and Hillcrest High School in its first two weeks, he is looking forward to playing in those games and trying to earn back city bragging rights for TCHS.

Listen to the full interview on Soundcloud or the Tide 100.9 Youtube page. You can hear The Gary Harris Show each weekday from 9-11 a.m. on Tide 100.9 FM or stream it anywhere on the free TIDE1009app.