The Bryan Vikings have traditionally had an offensive team built on a strong rushing attack, and coach Bob Bellard says the team will emphasize the option more this year.
Vikings quarterback Kesnick Taylor can read the history books and the tea leaves and knows what is expected of him. He also knows what he expects of himself.
He wants to be a better passer.
"I went to camps because I wanted to get better at throwing the ball," said Taylor, who usually answers to just K.T. "I went to Baylor, Sam Houston State and to Blinn. It's all football."
It was a good experience for him, because Taylor is a huge fan of college football. When he wasn't trying to learn more at camps, he tried to improve through sheer hard work with his receivers.
"After we would lift weights, we would come out, just throw the ball and work on play execution," Taylor said of voluntary summer drills. "Our fullbacks, receivers and some others came out and ran routes. Some defensive players will also get in and try to help us out."
"K.T.'s got a pretty quick release," said Bellard. "Initially, you would say his throwing motion lacks a little, but he has a tendency to get the ball to where the receiver is, and get it to them on time. That's about 90 pcerent of the throwing game."
Taylor was the Vikings' opening-game starter a year ago, when Bryan began his junior campaign with a 28-20 win over Cy-Falls. Despite sharing time with eventual starter Albert Garza, Taylor rushed for 61 yards on eight carries and completed 3 of 6 passes for 68 more.
Taylor's playing time diminished until Garza suffered a season-ending knee injury against Temple. After a promising first half, the Wildcats, who won the pivotal game, 35-20, shut down the Vikings' offense in the second half.
"When he got injured, I was like 'man, I've got to get in there and do what I can do,'" said Taylor, who did enough to establish himself of the favorite at quarterback his senior season.
In those final three games of 2008 the Vikings were just 1-2, but Taylor completed 13 of 20 passes for 139 yards. He threw his only three touchdown passes of the season and was intercepted just once.
"At the end of the season, some people stopped caring," said Taylor. "For a couple of games at the finish, they were not really there."
That a bit of history he's not interested in repeating.
"You say it's a new year and you do better things than last year, correct things," Taylor said. "You just go forward and make things better."
Taylor believes that his team will be more focused on what is immediately in front of them.
"One game at a time, but you still try to win district," Taylor said. "That's our goal, to get to the playoffs."
"Kesnick is a guy who has been there," said Bellard. "I thought he handled it well as a junior, and what he's done as a senior is set the lead as far as work ethic. His preparation has been solid. He's a very quiet team leader."
Taylor is well aware that he is one of the few veterans in the offensive lineup, and he understands what comes with playing quarterback.
"He's the leader of the team and he's got to bring everybody back up when they are down," Taylor explains. "You've just got to keep confidence. It starts with the quarterback. You've got to stay up and be good."
Taylor's season totals had him complete 18 of 30 pass attempts for 211 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He wants more.
"We've got some young guys filling in at spots and that's pretty good," said Taylor. "Spring helped a bunch and it helped them to get into summer workouts, so right now they look ready."
Taylor has proved to be a dangerous runner, especially on the zone read out of the shotgun formation. He's adapting to the option, but thinks it suits him.
"We still are going to be running some of those plays, and that's something I'm comfortable running," said Taylor.
"He's a great runner," Bellard said. "You give him a crease or a crack and he can hurt you."
On the option he'll pitch when it's there, Taylor says, laughing: "I think faking a pitch where I can accelerate and run is what I like."
He knows he'll also need the passing game, and so will the Vikings.
"It's balance," said Taylor. "You want to be both of the things the same way."