A humble star, running back Ty’Reon Taylor looks to lead Phoebus to a second consecutive state title

It is typical of Phoebus High running back Ty’Reon Taylor that his description of his favorite play this season is sprinkled with credit for his teammates.

It was his 35-yard touchdown run on the Phantoms’ first offensive play in a 56-0 win over Oscar Smith, ending the Tigers’ 33-game winning streak against Hampton Roads foes.

Taylor was happy to set the tone for the rout and get revenge for a 42-point loss a year earlier, and he made the play happen in part by breaking a tackle. But, as he always emphasizes, success on the play was a team thing.

“It was a simple (isolation) play to get two or three yards, but it opened up because of our amazing offensive line,” said Taylor, a 5-foot-8, 168-pound senior. “Then our fullback, Kaleb Tillery, plugged in on the linebacker and (wide receiver) Jordan Bass locked in on the corner.

“What you’ll see is a picture of them throwing me up in the air (after the score). They are the best O-line in the state.”

Phantoms coach Jeremy Blunt says Taylor’s humility is genuine.

“He really doesn’t care who’s scoring or who touches the ball or who gets the credit,” Blunt said. “He’s all about the team.

“You really want to reward a kid like that so much more.”

Taylor has gotten his share of touches this season as the Phantoms (12-0) prepare for their Class 3 state semifinal against Brentsville District (11-1) at 2 p.m. Saturday at Darling Stadium. He’s run for more than 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns while netting 280 receiving yards and three TDs.

The latter number underscores the versatility Taylor has developed during his four seasons as a starter for the Phantoms. Blunt says that includes being able to block and catch the ball.

“He’s so electric, but his ability out of the backfield has grown tremendously,” Blunt said of Taylor, who runs a 4.39-second 40-yard dash. “He’s a guy we can line up out at wide receiver now and let him go to work.”

Taylor said, “I used to just run outside and beat teams with my speed. I’ve developed more patience, so if there’s a hole, I’ll hit it.

“I can run any route a receiver can and catch the ball. Coach Blunt has given me the keys to the car, he gave me this platform, and I just do what the team needs.”

Their mutual trust goes back more than a decade. He and Blunt’s son, Joelle — a percussionist in the Phoebus marching band — were best friends and youth football teammates, so Taylor was a frequent visitor to the Blunts’ house.

Growing up playing football near Shell Road — famously a breeding ground for much of the talent on Mike Smith’s 12 Hampton High state championship teams — Taylor was not sure if he would become a Phantom or Crabber. His relationship with Blunt tipped the scales.

“Coming to Phoebus felt like destiny,” Taylor said. “He always treated me like family since I was a kid, like a second son.”

Nonetheless, Taylor says he was more a fan of former Hampton High star Dazz Newsome — who played last year in the NFL for the Chicago Bears and is currently on the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad — and was unaware of the the tradition of great Phoebus running backs. Now that he understands, he’s happy to have added his legacy.

He was even more thrilled to help the Phantoms win the state title in 2021 and looks forward to defending it the next two Saturdays.

“I’m very excited,” said Taylor, who carries a 3.4 grade-point average and would like to play next year in college. “I’d feel like a superstar or something doing this back-to-back.

“Winning states always seemed like something unachievable, then once you see it, it’s like, ‘Yo, we can actually do this.’

“It’s a great feeling.”

VHSL state semifinals

All games are Saturday; tickets are available only online at gofan.co and through VHSL.org and the cost is $10, plus a $1.50 service fee. Note: There is no ‘m’ in gofan.co. Tickets will not be sold at the gate.

Class 6

* Western Branch at Freedom of Woodbridge, 2 p.m. (updated)

* James Madison at Fairfax, 2 p.m.

Class 5

* Maury vs. Green Run, 2 p.m. at Virginia Beach Sportsplex

* Stone Bridge at Highland Springs, 3 p.m.

Class 4

* Warwick at Dinwiddie, 2 p.m.

* Kettle Run at E.C. Glass, 5 p.m.

Class 3

* Brentsville District vs. Phoebus, 2 p.m. at Darling Stadium

* Christiansburg at Heritage of Lynchburg, 1 p.m.

Class 2

* Poquoson at Woodstock Central, 2 p.m.

* Appomattox County vs. Graham (at Mitchell Stadium in Bluefield, West Virginia), 2 p.m.

Class 1

* Essex at Riverheads, 2 p.m.

* Grundy at George Wythe of Wytheville, 1 p.m.