Starting quarterback Bryce Mohl was injured in the Spring Hill game on Friday, Oct. 14, and told that he could not play for the rest of this season. This situation has given sophomore Brandon Taylor the chance to play as starting varsity quarterback.

Mohl broke his talus bone during one of De Soto’s plays against Spring Hill.

“Mohl was running, and a linebacker came through and hit him right on the side of the foot. He has a broken talus bone, which is a rare injury. It’s one of those injuries you have if you fall off a roof and land really hard,” said head coach Brian King.

This is Taylor’s second year playing with DHS but his first on varsity.

“I started off as the running back for the freshmen team, and then halfway through the season I became quarterback. Then that came up to this year when I became backup (for varsity),” Taylor said.

Even though the team misses Mohl, they are supportive of Taylor and are helping him get better.

“(The team) seemed pretty upset, but now they’re all trying to help me out so I can play as well as Bryce,” Taylor said.

Stepping up for the team now can help Taylor’s future with the team.

“It’s one of  those situations you don’t want, a sophomore who’s going to play on Friday night, but it sure helps him grow and gives him a head start for his junior and senior year,” King said.

King also notices how hard Taylor works at practices.

“I went out to practice … It’s 3:03 and Brandon is sprinting to the field to get 30 minutes of work in before we start practice,” King said. “He did that all week, and the strides I saw him make this week were phenomenal. I’m really proud of him.”

Taylor’s hard work has payed off, and will continue to pay off for the next few years at DHS.

“Brandon stepped up and did a great job,” King said.

Taylor sustained a concussion at the game against Bishop Miege on Oct. 21. Senior Max Barger and junior Connor Strouse are both practicing to play quarterback for the game against Eudora this Friday, Oct. 28.