Vince Young-Inspired Survivor Loses Game, Wins at Living

By Rose Cahalan in Sports on December 20, 2011 at 5:59 pm | No Comments

Last week we wrote about Archie Taylor, the 17-year-old high school football star and cancer survivor who says a visit from Vince Young inspired him to win tough battles in the hospital and on the field.

With Taylor as starting running back, the Hempstead Bobcats blazed to a magical season. They made it to the Class 2A Division I Texas state championships for the first time in school history. The Bobcats were poised to finish their first undefeated season since 1955.

But it wasn’t to be. In last Thursday’s game at Cowboys Stadium, Hempstead fell to the Melissa Cardinals, 28-15. Taylor, who plans to graduate in May, says he’s disappointed, but determined to focus on the future.

“We did our best and I’m proud of that,” Taylor says. “Now I want to get to college.”

Hempstead’s head football coach and dean of students, Ricky Sargent, says he couldn’t be prouder of what his team has accomplished.

“These kids have really gone above and beyond, on the football field and in the classroom,” Sargent says. “The key was they truly believe in teamwork. You know, it’s just not always about the scoreboard.”

We asked Taylor if he has a message for Vince Young, who dropped by Hempstead five years ago to give the then-ailing 12-year-old a signed Titans jersey and some encouragement.

“I was thinking of him out there,” Taylor says. “I want to tell him thank you, and I would like to talk with him again.”

Tags: cancer, football, high school, vince young