Physical runner and major college recruit Jonathan Taylor sets tone for 5-0 Rams

  • 10/10 - 12:00 PM FootballFinal
    Pennsville 13
    Salem 40
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SALEM – Jonathan Taylor runs angry.

The Salem High School junior hits the hole hard and isn’t afraid to initiate contact. It’s not often the first or even second defensive player trying to tackle the running back is able to bring him down.

On Saturday, Taylor bulled his way to 160 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries as Salem improved to 5-0 with a 40-13 win over Pennsville. He broke a couple tackle attempts on his way to a 46-yard scoring run in the third quarter.

“You better fit it right, your run fits better be right or they’re good enough to find where the hole is,” said Pennsville coach Ryan Wood. “On top of that that, Jonathan runs hard. He doesn’t go down and you have to get a lot of hats to the football.

“Anybody who plays them, if you want to have success against them, you’re going to have to contain him. You’re never going to shut him down, but you have to limit what he does and we certainly didn’t do that today.”

5-0: Salem rolling after routing Eagles

Taylor’s most impressive carry might have come on a two-point conversion run in the first quarter after Salem pulled within a point, 7-6. The Rams were called for delay of game, pushing the ball back to the 7, but Taylor ran off-tackle, dragging two Eagles into the end zone with him on second effort.

“They had made their conversion, and I knew I had to come through for my team to make mine,” said Taylor.

Taylor was part of a three-running back rotation last year with senior Dione Alston and freshman Zaire Jones. With Alston graduated and Jones transferring to Woodstown, it left Taylor to carry the load.

It is a responsibility Taylor has embraced this season.

“My team needs me to run the ball and that generates more people in the box and opens up the pass,” said Taylor. “It’s always good knowing your team is depending on you to create plays and it’s great for me being a part of that.

“I have to generate more production this year. With more carries you get a feel for the defense, find out their tendencies. If you are getting seven carries a game you really have to make them count, but even with 20-25 carries you have to make them all count.”

Wright agreed Taylor’s physical running style sets the tone for the team.

“He runs with attitude, and he’s come into his own,” said Wright. “To be a junior and run like that is pretty impressive. It’s like a man against boys right now.”

Recruiting is picking up for Taylor, who has an eclectic mix of offers from Temple, Rutgers, Harvard, Army and Albany.

“Right now I’m making sure I have the best opportunity when I go play college football,” said Taylor. “Every day I’m researching and finding out what’s the best fit for me.”

Quarterback Shareef Jefferies also ran for over 100 yards and scored twice in the rout on Saturday. He admits it’s been a pleasure watching Taylor’s development.

“It’s amazing, it’s like greatness happening right in front of your face,” said Jefferies.

Bill Evans can be reached at bevans@njadvancemedia.com or by leaving a note in the comments below. Follow him on Twitter @BEvansSports. Find the NJ.com High School Football page on Facebook by following this link.

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