Taylors enjoying time together coaching, playing for Kimball/White Lake football cooperative

Dale Taylor knows his quarterback probably gets tired of his coaching from time to time. Most signal-callers do, after all.

Junior Jesse Taylor, Kimball/White Lake’s quarterback, has it a bit different than most at his position, though.

The 17-year-old is taking instruction from his father each day at practice.

“It’s been a good experience, even though I’m sure there’s times he wishes I wasn’t there,” Dale Taylor joked earlier this week. “He’s a good kid, though. He’s never complained to me about anything.”

With Dale on the sideline and Jesse taking the snaps, Kimball/White Lake has thrived in its first season as a co-operative. The WiLdKats (8-2) host Deubrook Area in a Class 9AA semifinal at 6 p.m. today in Kimball.

Jesse has passed for 745 yards and 14 touchdowns entering tonight’s game. He also has rushed for 217 yards in K/WL’s run-first attack, which features running backs Jacob Kirsch and Trevor Reinesch.

“I enjoy it,” Jesse said of playing under his father. “We get along great and we don’t have too many problems. He’s a coach when he’s at practice and he’s a dad when he’s at home.”

Dale coached the Kimball football team since the 1990 season prior to taking the K/WL job this fall. His son was the Kiotes’ quarterback his freshman and sophomore season before taking over the K/WL position this season.

“I’m kind of focused on the game usually so I don’t really watch him,” Dale said. “A lot of times, I’m watching the line of scrimmage and it’s not like I’m on the sideline watching my son play. I’m just trying to help the team get in position to win.”

Jesse, who also plays safety for the K/WL defense, uses Kirsch and Reinesch out of the back field and Kyle Peters as a vertical threat down the field this season.

“We run the majority of the time,” Jesse said. “My job is getting the ball where it needs to be and our line does a really great job blocking for me and for our running backs.”

If the WiLdKats win today, they will play for the 9AA title Thursday at the DakotaDome in Vermillion.

“It’d be really great to show people that the co-op is very positive,” Jesse said. “Both communities are very supportive.”

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