Jacksonville QB Jai’kei Taylor takes over entering area jamboree
Jai’kei Taylor has been ready for this moment.
Serving as a backup quarterback to last year’s co-area player of the year Josh Benton, Taylor is now the man calling signals for the Cardinals.
And Taylor is confident.
The senior doesn’t feel the pressure of following in the footsteps of Benton, who last year led Jacksonville to the NCHSAA 3-A East Regional final.Taylor is comfortable in his elevated role and doesn't fret about the added responsibility.
His talents will be on display Friday when the Cardinals participate in the Bob Mills Mitsubishi Football Jamboree at Northside.
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“Everything has just come natural,” Taylor said. “The moment that Josh and the other seniors were leaving, me and the other seniors knew what we had to do.”
Taylor has seen progress in his four years.
He was the JV quarterback his freshman and sophomore seasons, but practiced with the varsity on occasion during his second year. That was a “new experience,” for him as it opened his eyes to how much faster and bigger players were on varsity.
He took those lessons with him in performing an admirable job as the second-string quarterback last year. Taylor’s name was called several times, either when Benton went out or in lopsided outcomes.
He showed a glimpse of what he could do in a 42-21 loss to D.H. Conley when he completed five passes for 119 yards and ran nine times for 75 yards.
“That playing time gave Jai’Kei some momentum going into this season,” Jacksonville coach Beau Williams said. “He has had a good summer, he is a great character kid who makes good grades and he has been a good leader for us. He is everything you want from a kid.”
Williams added that Taylor spent more time watching film, a sign he was ready to take over the signal-calling duties. Taylor knew that was part of the deal being the new starter.
“Last year, since I was behind Josh, I didn’t realize how much responsibility it took, but now that the role is mine, I understand how big it is and what I need to do,” Taylor said. “I think that I have gotten stronger and faster, my coaches have helped me get better, but now I know it is also about being right, mentally, and also trying to keep everybody pushing through and keeping our spirits up.”
Bob Mills Mitsubishi Football Jamboree schedule for Friday at Northside High
5:15 p.m. – Jacksonville vs. Dixon; Richlands vs. West Craven
6:05 p.m. – Jacksonville vs. West Craven; Richlands vs. Dixon
7 p.m. – Northside vs. Spring Creek; Southwest vs. West Carteret
7:50 p.m. – Northside vs. West Carteret; Southwest vs. Spring Creek
8:45 p.m. – Swansboro vs. Lejeune; White Oak vs. Southern Wayne
9:35 p.m. – Swansboro vs. Southern Wayne; White Oak vs. Lejeune
Chris Miller can be contacted via email at chris.miller@jdnews.com. Follow him on twitter @jdnsports.
This article originally appeared on The Daily News: Jacksonville football quarterback Jai’kei Taylor ready for 2022 season
