Desire to honor fallen family member drives Fort Wayne North Side's Taylor

When your father was a college and arena football player, chances are you’ll follow suite. But, for Fort Wayne North Side quarterback Duce Taylor, his love of the game and desire to excel extends deeper than that. It can be traced back to a fateful night in 2016 when his cousin and best friend, Nick Scroggins, was shot to death around the corner from his house at the young age of 14-years-old. “I grew up around football my whole life, and my dad played quarterback at St. Francis University and played arena football. I just ended up falling in love with the game and the position of quarterback. After my cousin and best friend died in 2016, I felt obligated to fulfill our dream, which is going to the NFL,” Taylor told Sideline Prep Sports Report. A season ago, as a junior, Taylor guided Fort Wayne North Side to a 4-6 record, while throwing for 557 yards and four touchdowns. Since then, he’s been hard at work getting better and making a name for himself at various camps and showcase events. Earlier this year, he was named the quarterback MVP at the Best of the Midwest Combine in Indianapolis and earned an offer to attend Indiana University’s spring practice by coach Tom Allen. Again, his desire to be the best runs deep. When it comes to his success, he attributes it to his family and his community, not wanting to disappoint and always putting in work. “I attribute it to my grandpa, who never got a chance to see me play but was one of my close friends when I was younger. I also attribute it to my cousin, Nick Scroggins, and also my parents for all of the sacrifices they have made. Also, I attribute it to the black culture and black community, for I believe that I can be key to change in the world and I will use my status and influence too so my people can be heard,” Taylor said. For his senior season, Taylor has lofty goals of helping lead North Side to the Summit Conference championship and its first winning season since the 2013 season. “From a team standpoint, our goal this year is to win SAC and to go and win state. My goals individual, I don’t really want to say my goals individually, but I will say that the hard work I am doing now will show in the season,” Taylor said. Currently, Taylor has offers from Akron, Toledo, Central Michigan, Illinois State and Western Illinois. In addition, he has been drawing the attention of Army, Air Force and Jacksonville State. Taylor’s senior campaign will begin August 21 at Fort Wayne Snider.