Story
Glades Day's Kelvin Taylor joins father as Groza Player of the Year winner
Tuesday, December 04, 2012
by
Matt Porter
Five years ago, everyone knew the muscle-strapped eighth-grader from Belle Glade as simply "Fred Taylor's kid."
It didn't take Kelvin Taylor long to outgrow the label.
In his career at Glades Day, he produced 12,121 rushing yards and 191 touchdowns, the most in state history. He wound up fifth all-time in rushing yards. He won a pair of state championships and averaged 2,424 yards and 38 touchdowns a year for five seasons.
On Tuesday, Palm Beach County gave him a proper send-off.
Taylor was named Lou Groza Awards High School Player of the Year during a gala at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach.
The ceremony recognized the year's top high school player, coach, team and kicker along with three finalists for the Lou Groza Award, presented to college football's top kicker. Florida State's Dustin Hopkins, Florida's Caleb Sturgis and Tulane's Cairo Santos are the college finalists. The winner will be announced during the College Football Awards show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday on ESPN.
Taylor was chosen over American Heritage senior running back Greg Bryant, who is being recruited by Notre Dame, Florida State and South Carolina, among others, and Palm Beach Central senior running back Lloyd "Bam" Howard, who has committed to Florida Atlantic.
Taylor, who will enroll at Florida next month, was joined by his father as he accepted the award. Fred Taylor was a Groza winner in 1993 as a Glades Central senior before playing for the Gators and for 13 NFL seasons. They're the first father-son duo to win the award.
"It's a very blessed moment right now," the younger Taylor said.
That moment was his last in front of a local crowd for a while. He'll leave Glades Day on Dec. 21, play in the Under Armour All-America Game on Jan. 4 in St. Petersburg, and start at Florida Jan. 7.
Taylor won state titles in 2009 and 2010 and was last season's Post All-Area Small Schools Player of the Year. As a senior, he made a run at Ken Hall's 59-year-old national rushing record (11,232 yards), which last month was broken by Yulee's Derrick Henry. Since pre-freshman year numbers do not count toward the record, Taylor was credited with 10,537 yards, good for fifth all-time.
Chris Bean, who coached Atlantic to its first district title since 2008 before stepping down, was named high school coach of the year. Bean beat out Seminole Ridge's Matt Dickmann and American Heritage's Stacy Sizemore for the honor. Bean, 45, left his alma mater to work as the athletics director at Pompey Park in Delray Beach.
"It was a good experience," said Bean, who was 41-21 in six seasons (2003-05 and 2010-12). "The highs and lows are building blocks for souls."
American Heritage, the No. 1 team in the Post's rankings from wire to wire, was team of the year over fellow district champions Atlantic and Palm Beach Central. Tbe Stallions (11-1) advanced to the Class 3A regional finals.
Palm Beach Central senior Cameron Golob was selected kicker of the year. Golob, chosen over Glades Central sophomore Giovanni Lugo and Royal Palm Beach senior Tyler Bugeja, kicked a school-record 50-yard field goal in Central's district title-clinching win over Boca Raton. He made 5-of-6 field goals with 48 extra points and was 52-of-57 for touchbacks.
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User Comments:
BIGDAWG commented on December 5, 2012 at 5:01 a.m.: report abuse
Congadulation to Kelvin and Fred on a Job well done
Palm Beach County will look forward to seeing you play at the next level.
BG Fan commented on December 5, 2012 at 6:04 a.m.: report abuse
Congratulations Kelvin Taylor! It has been a pleasure to watch you play on Friday nights and I look forward to watching you on Saturdays and in a few years, on Sundays. The entire Glades community is proud of you and your accomplishments and we wish you well.
Raiders4Life commented on December 5, 2012 at 7:53 a.m.: report abuse
Congratulatons Kelvin! Good luck at UF! The Glades community is very proud of you.
Toy commented on December 5, 2012 at 9:53 a.m.: report abuse
Congratulations Kelvin on this great accomplishment! Tiffany and Fred Congratulations to you as well for a job well done, may the Lord continue to bless you guys as you guide and nurture your son for the things to come! Continue to ask the Lord for wisdom and keep Him 1st!
LitteDAWG commented on December 5, 2012 at 10:32 a.m.: report abuse
Congrats Kelvin may the future hold many great things for you and your family. Great job by everyone involved..Fred, Tiffany, Little Sister, Grandpa, Step Dad and whole Glades Day Community(Belle Glade). Remember it takes a solid family atmosphere to help raise kids today. I am not big UF fan but I will be watching Kelvin next year. ALL EYES ON YOU...
Myra Berger commented on December 5, 2012 at 11:59 a.m.: report abuse
Congratulations to Cameron Golob, KICKER OF THE YEAR!!!! The kick in the rain was pure talent and determination and the 50+ yarder that I was lucky enough to see was beautiful. Which ever college you choose to go to will be lucky to have you. Congratulations to your father as well. I know he supports your efforts.
GDS FAN commented on December 5, 2012 at 1:50 p.m.: report abuse
Kelvin we will be watching, make us proud. Once a GATOR always a GATOR
Lady Raider commented on December 5, 2012 at 1:57 p.m.: report abuse
Congrats Kelvin Taylor,
We are EXTREMELY proud of you and all your accomplishments!!! It has been a real pleasure watching you break records that will not be touched for a very long time. You made a name for yourself and I expect nothing but graeat things from you as you reach the next level in your life. Your humility will keep you grounded and great as you embark on new adventures. As you leave next month for college to UF, please know you go with the blessings of your family, friends and entire community. Tiffany you and Fred have done a fantastic job with this young man and let's not forget the Step-Father who I'm sure played an important role in Kelvin's life as well.
Best of Luck To You!!!!
Cliff Golob commented on December 5, 2012 at 2:15 p.m.: report abuse
Congrats to all the semi finalists and winners last night at the Groza Award banquet. A real treat to be in the room with so much past, present, and future talent. The palm beach sports commission and Groza committee are first class organizations.
The interesting thing is every semifialist will be playing at the next level next year.
I can't close this out without a special congrats to my son Cameron. He worked very hard to get the kicker of the year award.
I also want to thank the coaching staff at PBC. A special group indeed. Lastly I want to thank Tony Bugeja. Best kicking coach, patient, knowledgeable, great teacher, and friend.
JEFF commented on December 5, 2012 at 5:48 p.m.: report abuse
GO GATORS!
GDS fan commented on December 5, 2012 at 6:20 p.m.: report abuse
We are so proud that you are a part of the Glades Day Gator family. It has been a joy watching you over the last 5 years. Rock that orange and blue, we are all rooting for you!
Dennis commented on December 6, 2012 at 12:03 p.m.: report abuse
Congrats Kelvin, you have come a long way since your days in the WCFL with the cowboys. My wife used to run with you so that you could make weight lol.You were amazing then and even more so now. We wish you the best Kelvin and look forward to watching you at the next level.
Finally commented on December 6, 2012 at 12:58 p.m.: report abuse
Finally, a blog with all positive comments. That's what I'm talking about. Congrats to everyone and good luck in LIFE. Make the best of every opportunity.
mike duvall commented on December 17, 2012 at 11:57 a.m.: report abuse
Good job Kelvin and the Gator Nation is excited for you arrival, Go Gators!
Nitin commented on January 13, 2013 at 3 a.m.: report abuse
You really make it appaer so easy together with your presentation but I to find this topic to be really one thing that I feel I'd never understand. It kind of feels too complex and extremely wide for me. I'm having a look forward to your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
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