Taylor's 269 yards and four TDs rushing power Kellam

VIRGINIA BEACH

Kellam running back James Taylor ran as well in Friday’s Beach District opener as his namesake sings.

Taylor, a durable senior pounded First Colonial’s defense for a career-high 252 yards and four touchdowns as the No. 9 Knights

downed the host Patriots 42-28. Kellam amassed 479 yards with 400 coming on the ground.

“I knew we were going to have a very good offense this season and the line was incredible in this one,” said Taylor, who had 124 yards in the first half as the victors built a 14-0 lead they extended to 28-7 after three quarters. He finished with 32 carries.

“I had 174 against Landstown last year in my previous high. Matt Schmit did a good job throwing the ball to loosen things up for the running game. They had 11 men in the box early on. We’re going to roll after we correct a few things on defense.”

Schmit threw for 79 yards to complement the rushing of Taylor and state wrestling runner-up Sean Abrams, who added 121 yards and two touchdowns. Right guard Tyler Thompson and debuting 6-foot-7 right tackle Hunter Steward repeatedly opened gaping holes for Taylor and Abrams.

First Colonial took solace in a 21-point fourth quarter, highlighted by the passing of Adam Teufel. The senior played the entire second half after splitting time with Rashaad Lane in the first two quarters. Teufel completed 12 passes for 246 yards and two scores. He also ran for a touchdown as the Patriots rallied playing in front of legendary ex-First Colonial coach Frank Webster, who was honored before the game. Webster led thePatriots to 280 victories in 39 seasons.

Kellam coach Chris DeWitt was delighted with his offense, but displeased with the defense’s late yield.

“We’ve got some things to work on defensively as FC got it going against the second team late,” DeWitt said. “Taylor and Abrams didn’t do it by themselves. The guys up front did a heck of a job. We probably should have thrown the ball more early in the game to loosen things up. We’re going to have to throw effectively to have success against the better teams in the district.”

Schmit’s primary target was Mark Bonner, whose three receptions netted 52 yards. Chris Smith and Justin Hughes had big receiving efforts for the Patriots. Hughes made six catches for 87 yards and a touchdown, while Smith had four receptions good for 75 yards.