Jim Taylor loves to turkey hunt and coach football.

He can’t say which one he likes best, opting instead for, &#8220both have their good points.”

He’s been hunting longer than he’s been coaching and he’s been guiding high schoolers on the football field for nearly 40 years.

It doesn’t get old, he said, because he is still having fun. With seasons like this one, he could be around much longer.

The Flashes finished 8-4, made the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and for his efforts, Taylor has been awarded The Vicksburg Post’s Coach of the Year, his second such award.

&#8220It is an honor to receive this award, but I have said throughout the year that I attribute our success to our coaches and an outstanding group of seniors that took the lead this year,” Taylor said. &#8220They started working after the last game the year before and didn’t stop working.”

The Flashes finished the season with an 8-4 record with all four losses coming against ranked opponents. With the exception of the Puckett game – a forgetful 69-0 shellacking – the Flashes were in every one of their losses.

Class 2A runner-up St. Andrew’s, Class 1A South State finalist Lake and Class 1A state champion Puckett were three of the Flashes’ losses. The Flashes also lost to Mercy Cross in the first round of the state playoffs.

&#8220We had the ball with an opportunity to win against Lake, but we didn’t do it,” Taylor said. &#8220Against Mercy Cross, a couple plays here and there and we are still playing. All-in-all, I feel like we had a year I think the kids will remember and a year that helped our program get back on its feet.”

The Flashes were blessed this season with a senior class that came up through the ranks. All-County selections Alex Halinski, Matt Thornton, John Robert Burnett, Jordan Granville, Marsh Willis and Jordan Muirhead will leave fond memories for Taylor.

&#8220This group of seniors were athletic and competitive,” Taylor said. &#8220They didn’t mind working hard.”

Taylor experimented with throwing the ball more with sophomore Chris Lewis at quarterback. Chip Donald, his favorite target, led the team with 30 catches. The pair will be back next season as the Flashes look to reach the playoffs in back-to-back years.

Taylor said he plans to be back as well.

&#8220I wouldn’t keep coming out here if I wasn’t having fun,” Taylor said. &#8220I enjoy coming out here and watching the kids be successful. It’s fun.”