A playoff win extends a season and extends a senior’s high school football career.
Lincoln Taylor of La Center understands the value of one more week of prep.
“I’m just super grateful to have another week with my boys. As a senior, with the playoffs, you never know what’s going to be your last game,” Taylor said. “I’m just super happy to be able to get another week with the guys, another week of practice, another game.”
After all, it took him a long time to reach the positions of starting offensive lineman and starting linebacker. It makes sense that he wants this victorious feeling to last as long as possible.
The La Center Wildcats did extend that vibe for at least another week with a decisive 43-26 victory over Cascade (Leavenworth) Saturday in a Class 1A Week 10 playoff game. The win sends La Center to the 1A state playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.
Taylor has experienced three previous trips to state as a member of the program, but this is the first time he gets to say he is a two-way starter for this perennial small-school power.
Lincoln Taylor is what coaches describe as a Program Guy — a player who dedicates all four years of high school to a program without any guarantees of stardom, let alone start positions.
Taylor acknowledged he had some doubts about his ability early on in high school, but he kept grinding, kept getting stronger, and kept improving his skills.
Sounds a lot like the program he represents.
La Center coach John Lambert said Taylor earned his spots through his work ethic and his drive to make himself a better football player.
Now, instead of being a role player on a playoff team, No. 55 is starting on offense and defense, helping La Center to a 7-2 record. The Wildcats will learn their official seed and opponent on Sunday. The state playoff game will be played Friday, Nov. 13 or Saturday, Nov. 15.
Taylor credits his teammates.
“This group of guys, they’re the people who got me here. Going through all the work with them, going through all the practices with them, all summer with them, it’s just been the most special experience for me to spend the season with these guys,” Taylor said.
Taylor took time to look back on his career at La Center after Saturday’s win. No matter the seed, this was likely La Center’s last true home game. Even if La Center is the “home” team next week in the state playoffs, that game will likely be played on a turf field at a different high school.
“Freshman and sophomore year, I wasn’t very good,” Taylor said. “I thought maybe I’d start as a senior just because there was no one else there, but I never thought I’d be that good. But through hard work, I’ve gotten to where I am.”
Also early in his career, he tried to play tight end.
“That didn’t work out,” he said with a smile.
Back to the line.
Still, he wasn’t yet ready to compete for a starting position. Until he made a plan and stuck to it. Also a wrestler, he became a true, year-round athlete.
“After wrestling season I would go straight to the weight room for spring and summer, and put on as much weight as I could for football, so I could get that starting spot,” he said.
Prior to this summer, Taylor was told that he would be moved to linebacker on defense.
It clicked, almost immediately.
“At Linfield team camp, I was making plays at linebacker and O-line,” Taylor said. “It made me feel like I was an important part of the team.”
Maybe a more important part of the team, but John Lambert and any football coach will tell you that players such as Lincoln Taylor — Program Guys — are already important to football programs. But it sure does make a coach’s year when one of the Program Guys also becomes a standout player and an example for every young player on the team.
The Wildcats will get at least another week to celebrate this team, this season, thanks to their performance Saturday.
La Center quarterback Brody Mills threw three touchdown passes and ran for another. Adrian Whited had two touchdown runs. Nate Rembisz had two of the TD receptions, plus he kicked a 35-yard field goal.
The Wildcats built a 43-12 lead before Cascade scored two late touchdowns to make the final score a little closer.
Make no mistake, La Center was in control for most of this game.
Next up for the Wildcats? The state playoffs. And at least another week to celebrate with each other.
Note: In the other playoff game featuring a Clark County team on Saturday, Ridgefield’s season came to an end in the 2A playoffs. The Spudders went on the road and lost to Prosser.
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