Southern
Sports & Travel Player of the Year
Simpson Academy
tailback/linebacker Daniel Taylor is the 2013 Southern Sports & Travel Player
of the Year. The 5’ 11” 200 lb. senior led the Simpson Cougars to the Class AA
State Championship and the District 4-AA title.
Taylor is an MAIS All State first team selection and was selected to the
MAIS All-Star squad.
In helping win
the school’s sixth state championship Taylor did what he had done the entire
2013 season in rushing for 150 yards on 29 carries and scoring 2 touchdowns but
the senior also helped in limiting Centreville to 7 points by recording 7.5
tackles from his linebacker position in the 20-7 victory.
Taylor rushed
for an MAIS 4th best 1,905 yards on the season but during the
playoffs the tailback proved why he is the best overall football player in the
MAIS by producing in big games.
In Simpson’s
four game playoff run Taylor averaged 157 yards rushing a game and scored 9
touchdowns while also spearheading one of the best defenses in the MAIS and rarely
ever leaving the football field.
Taylor’s 2,185
all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns coupled with 82 tackles defensively,
including 4 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss, made the senior a clear choice for
the 2013 Southern Sports & Travel Player of the Year.
“Daniel is the type of player that enjoys everything about
football from practice to games which makes him a lot of fun to coach,” said
Simpson head football coach Winston Mullins. “Daniel was a work horse for us
all year long and there were times he didn't come off the field and when you
did take him out he didn't understand because he wanted to play every snap. He
was a leader for our team not so much by what he said but because he just
played so hard and along with his other teammates refused to lose. His
importance to our team goes without saying. He wore many hats and played all
out 100 percent all of the time. To describe Daniel I would use the words
warrior, dedicated, teammate, and winner. He is a player I have enjoyed
coaching because of the way he plays the game all out every play. He plays the
game the way it should be played. Daniel and his senior brothers will be missed
at Simpson but they have shown our underclassmen what it takes to be successful
and for that I will be forever grateful.”
The selection of the 2013 Southern Sports &
Travel Player of the Year was one of the more difficult in recent years due to
the large number of players who produced outstanding seasons.
The process used in determining this season’s
player of the year included but was not limited to: 1) Individual statistics,
2) Strength of competition, 3) Polling of more than a dozen coaches.
.
In depth with Daniel Taylor:
Who has been the
biggest influence in your life and why?
My dad, James “Buckus”
Taylor, has been the biggest influence in my life. Through tough love and discipline, he has
taught me to work hard to achieve my goals.
Who has been the
biggest influence with regards to athletics and why?
My brother, Garrett Taylor
has been the biggest influence with regards to athletics. He is the one that got me interested in
sports. At a young age, he began
teaching me about sports and continues to encourage me today.
Athlete you would most
like to sit down and have a conversation with and why?
Tim Tebow – I would like
to talk to him about life in general. He
seems to have a great outlook on life.
Hobbies?
I enjoy playing and
watching all sports.
Favorite subject in
school and why?
Government – It is my
favorite subject because I have an interest in current events.
When did you first play
football and where?
5th grade at
East Rankin Academy
Toughest opponent this
season and why?
Lamar School – They were a
very physical team with lots of speed.
How long have you been
at Simpson?
I came to SCA the 2nd
semester of 8th grade.
Best memory of SCA?
My sophomore year, SCA won
the state championship in football. This
was also my brother’s senior year. It
was special being on the same team together.
Plans after high
school?
Attend junior college - Undecided about major
Describe your
relationship with Coach Mullins & Coach Hankins and the job they have done with
you personally and the football program at SCA.
Coach Hankins is a great
motivator. He has worked hard to teach
the football players to be disciplined.
Coach Mullins gets very
fired up about football. His attitude
about the game is contagious.
Both of these coaches are
great men. Each player knows that the
coaches would do anything for them on or off the field. They have the best interest of each player in
mind.
What do you see
yourself doing in ten years?
I would like to be
coaching football and working with students.
Who is the best athlete
in your family?
With having five siblings,
we each have our strengths. My sister
Allison was very aggressive on the basketball court, the twins Jamey and Juley
were very small and fast which allowed them excel in track, and myself and
Garrett are very well rounded and flexible which allowed us to participate in
all sports.
Family members
Father – James “Buckus”
Taylor
Mother – Morgan Taylor
Sister - Allison Taylor
McDaniel and husband Grant McDaniel
Sister - Jamey Taylor
Anthony and husband Jay Anthony
Sister - Juley Taylor Steed
and husband Shannon Steed. Niece Stella
Steed.
Sister - Alyssa Taylor
Brother - Garrett Taylor
