Story
Kelvin Taylor sets state rushing record in Glades Day's 43-29 win over South Fork
Friday, November 11, 2011
by
Matt Porter
CLICK FOR VIDEO, PHOTOS, STATS AND MORE
STUART -- Kelvin Taylor had no problem declaring he was gunning for Emmitt Smith's all-time state rushing record.
It didn't matter that Glades Day is already in the playoffs, or that Friday's non-district game against District 14-6A champion South Fork was a mere tune-up in his team's quest for its third state title in a row.
Taylor wanted the record. This week.
As he's done so many times since he first suited up in eighth grade, Taylor lived up to the hype.
Needing 217 yards to break Smith's record, Taylor gained that, and more, in the first half. The son of former NFL running back and Glades Central great Fred Taylor finished with 388 yards and six touchdowns on 34 carries.
And he set the mark in style, on a 34-yard touchdown with 4:32 left in the first half of Glades Day's 43-29 win. (Click here to see video.)
Swarmed by reporters, family and friends after the game, Taylor thanked his teammates and coaches. He said it felt wonderful – and was relieved.
"I just told myself I want to break it during the regular season and then take care of business in the playoffs," he said.
Entering the playoffs of his junior season, Taylor has 8,975 yards and 141 touchdowns, both state records, on 1,001 carries. Smith, who set the record from 1983-86 at Pensacola's Escambia High, is second with 8,804 yards.
Taylor, who scored on Glades Day's first six drives, took the field late in the second quarter needing 53 yards to break the record. With 4:43 left in the half, he set up at the back of the I-formation. On second-and-9 from the 34 yard line, took a handoff from quarterback John Barr and rushed up the left side.
The right guard pulled to the left, and Taylor raced past everyone. He was tackled in the end zone, but got up, unsnapped his helmet and calmly walked to the sideline.
On the sideline, Glades Day coach Pete Walker had a brief moment with his star.
"I told him he's the greatest football player I've ever coached and he's the best back I've ever seen," Walker said. "He's a once-in-a-lifetime kid."
At that point, Taylor admitted afterward, he might have been a little tired. It was his 21st carry of the evening and 228th yard on the ground.
He looked a bit weary, but his best was yet to come.
With 10:30 left in the game, Taylor took a handoff behind the 5 -yard line, hit the hole and outran the secondary. Calling on a burst of speed he hadn't used all night, he covered 95 yards for his sixth touchdown.
"He split 'em and he was gone, wasn't he?" Walker said, marveling. "He looks as strong on the 34th carry as he does on the first five or six."
Glades Day (7-3) stopped a strong option offense run by South Fork (6-4), the District 14-6A champion. Bulldogs quarterback Cody Labanowitz led the way with 147 yards and two touchdowns on 9-of-19 passing.
Taylor was stopped for a loss just twice. The South Fork players who tackled him - senior Zach Hinds and junior Mike Harris - can boast about it for years.
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User Comments:
Lamar Powell commented on November 12, 2011 at 3:17 a.m.: report abuse
A special moment in high school football, god bless you. and your family. it was a pleasure to have coached your dad back in the day at glade central. stay focus young man.
HAMMM commented on November 12, 2011 at 9:07 a.m.: report abuse
This is a great accomplishment for the city of Belle Glade, The Muck and Palm Beach County. I hope that the rest of the peolpe out there, look at what this young man has done on the field, especially in the post seasons for the last two years and keep all the hating to them self on this historic occassion.
It doesn't matter what is written on this forum, Kevin has made history, he has the state record for rushing the football...
I wish that Val (gradmother) and his ucle ("Man", Glade Central QB with state championship 1999-2000) was there to watch him.
Great job, "Bae- Bae"!!!
Insight commented on November 12, 2011 at 10:29 a.m.: report abuse
KT, you took charge in a dream in high school , and did it. Records are made to be broken, and you did that as well. I am very proud to have been on the side lines of games in the past and watch you run the ball, and I don't care if you are a 100 years old Ha :) you have proven to me and all that you are truly the number one back in the State of Florida and good fornCoach Walker that knew what he had when you came to Glades Day. you have made a football tradition school one of the best small school teams in the state and now you hold the record and did it with courage and class. You gave your coaches and teammates the credit and of most you gave the Lord the most credit. You keep that humbleness and faith, and you will make it to the NFL. Work hard in class and get your degree, then set some more records in college, but do us all a favor who are Gator fans and go play for Charlie and munch. Satin walked out on our dolphins and he does not have the class A's those two, especially Charlie Wise a winner or super bowls and he can prepare you for that next step. Plus would be so cool to play where your dad I watched while he was a gator chew up yardage and did it with class. Our area is lucky to have you represent the 561 football high school community. good luck and take cate of your health now, slow down on all them carries. go Gators
Football Ref commented on November 12, 2011 at 10:38 a.m.: report abuse
He's accomplished the unthinkable on the field now lets focus on getting Kelvin cleared with the NCAA Clearinghouse. Too many times I've witnessed extraordinary athletes like Kelvin star on the playing field only to come up a bit short in the classroom its not that they are less intelligent than other kids its just they are more focused on their on field performance. I have preached to young athletes for years the importance of taking their ACT/SAT as many times as possible and that the tests are kind of like football practice the more times you take them the better you get at it. The kid is much sharper than people give him credit for and with the help of GDS' fine academic advisors/counselors he shouldnt have a problem. Man hats off to the Best Running Back in Florida if not the entire country..
HAMMM commented on November 12, 2011 at 11:01 a.m.: report abuse
To Football Refs:
Bruh, that is one of the greatest comments I've seen posted here on this forum. You are definately telling the truth about athletes coming up short on their ACT/SAT test. Tiffany is working on that. If you don't know, she held him back early in his elementary school days. She don't play about that education...
Again, great comment and advice to all the readers.
GREAT JOB says: commented on November 13, 2011 at 1:22 a.m.: report abuse
KT #21 LEFT
KT#21 RIGHT
KT#21 UP THE MIDDLE
ALL DAMN NITE
THE RECORD BEEN UP
... FOR 25 YEARS
IN THE HATERS EYES
ALL I SEE IS TEARS
SUPPORT THE KID
HELL HE'S FROM THE MUCK
BUT U REALLY DON'T HAVE TO
WHO GIVES A F%$K
NOW AS I LAY EMMITT SMITH RECORD
DOWN TO REST
NOW YALL SEE
KELVIN TAYLOR THE BEST
#TEAMRUSHINGFORTHERECORD
LITTLE LEAGUE NUMBERS commented on November 13, 2011 at 12:58 p.m.: report abuse
YOUR BOY WOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN ANYTHING AT A BIG SCHOOL BUT HIS WILL OR HIS LEG! HE HAS NEVER BEEN TESTED AGAINST A REAL D! go ahead and live in your fake little world in the muck! keep kt hidden in his protected world of inflated #ERS ...hype the little league boy wonder all u want! enjoy your fantasy while it last! the DBLOCK WOULD CRUSH HIM ALL DAY AT GD!
truth commented on November 13, 2011 at 1:21 p.m.: report abuse
would run over anyone on dwyer. he's even a better QB that bauta
Newman fan commented on November 13, 2011 at 3:07 p.m.: report abuse
haters gon hate.... Congratulations Kelvin
@ little league numbers commented on November 13, 2011 at 3:24 p.m.: report abuse
You can have your opinions but I think I'll go by the opinions of every single HC for major BCS programs who are begging for him. Hes on the top of 2013 boards for 6 of the current top 10 football programs including but not limitrd to LSU,Alabama and Arkansas.
GDS commented on November 13, 2011 at 5:26 p.m.: report abuse
If KT went to a bigger school and has a bigger offense of line he would do way better then then he is now quit hatin
Muck City Starrs commented on November 13, 2011 at 7:58 p.m.: report abuse
It amaze me that people in the world hate so much everyone no that U haters wish u where in KT shoes. Bottom line is A.Boldin broke all kinds of records at Pahokee H.S. he was Mr.Football the whole nine yards. Guest what he did all that at a small school no one said anything about that Boldin went to Florida State and rip it.. He went to the NFL and rip it guest what he came from a small school so does it really matter what school he go to. Cause as long as it is in Gods plan BAY-BAy gonna rip whateva college he go too. And maybe the Nfl one day. So congrats to the New HEavy Weight Rushing Champ of the World KELVIN BAYBAY TAYLOR!!! KEEP RUNNING HARD AND BREAK THAT NATIONAL RECORD GO.GATORS
man up commented on November 15, 2011 at 7:25 p.m.: report abuse
he the best stop hating haters
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