Taylor pumped for test from Hinds|[10/13/05]

Published 12:00 am Thursday, October 13, 2005

Count Maurice Taylor as one Copiah-Lincoln Community College football player who is especially juiced for tonight’s game against Hinds.

The former Vicksburg High standout will be reunited with several former teammates tonight when Co-Lin and the Eagles play a crucial South Division game at Joe Renfroe Stadium in Raymond

&#8221I’m looking forward to it a lot,“ said Taylor, who signed with Southern Miss out of high school. &#8221I probably know four or five of my former teammates or guys from Vicksburg over on Hinds’ team and a couple more who I played against at Provine.“

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Taylor is starting at slot receiver for the Wolves and is also the primary kick returner.

&#8221I’ve had a pretty good year. As a team, though, we just need to tighten some things up,“ he said.

One of Hinds’ top players who Taylor could see a lot of is linebacker Rory Johnson.

The Vicksburg native is a leading tackler for the Eagles and had a key second half interception last week.

&#8221Hinds is known for being real aggressive and we’re going to have to play for all four quarters,“ Taylor said.

Both teams carry 1-2 overall marks and are both 0-2 in division play. Hinds, at least, will bring some momentum into the contest coming off last week’s 54-12 romp over Coahoma.

&#8221It was great to get the monkey off our back,“ said Hinds wide receiver and former Vicksburg High product Ben Shelton who caught three passes for 39 yards and was the holder on four made field goals by kicker Jess Shelby. &#8221For a change, everything seemed to click on offense. Our line gave Seth (Adams) a lot of time to find his receivers.“

Adams, a transfer from Delta State, had his best game of the season against Coahoma, connecting on 12-of-23 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns of 18 and 41 yards.

&#8221Yeah, it makes a difference when the offensive line does that good of a job of protecting me,“ Adams said. &#8221I feel like in our first two games this year, we just didn’t play with a whole lot of confidence. Against Coahoma, we brought a sense of urgency.“

Hinds will need that same urgency against Co-Lin. The Wolves knocked off perennial playoff participant Northwest 16-6 in week one. They then lost a close 30-27 decision to a much-improved Gulf Coast squad two weeks ago and then fell 12-7 to East Central last week.

Eagles coach J. Mike Smith is hoping for more of the same type effort shown against Coahoma.

&#8221We had intensity and we played with a lot of emotion and we need to have that same intensity for Co-Lin,“ Smith said.