When he took over the coaching job at Miami Sunset High, Art Taylor did something that many never did at a program. He won. He hasn’t stopped winning since!

Hard work, dedication to the sport and knowledge has taken Taylor from being the unknown coach to one who has proven - everyplace he’s been at - that he can win. Whether at Chaminade-Madonna, as an assistant, or Deerfield Beach, where he helped the Bucks play for the state title in his first season as an assistant, Taylor’s coaching style has proven that it works.

After Deerfield Beach lost to Palm Beach Gardens two years ago in the 6A state championship, head coach Greg Minnis stepped down. While a search for his replacement began, those close to the program knew that Taylor was the right person for the job. They were right!

All Taylor has done since taking over this BCAA powerhouse last season is win, and heading into this week’s battle with unbeaten Coconut Creek, the Bucks can easily lay claim to being one of the top teams in the state with a perfect 3-0 record, which includes impressive victories over Hollywood Hills, Ely and rival Dillard.

In an area of Broward County where many believe more talent resides than any other neighborhood, Taylor and his coaching staff have been able to harness the quality football players available and they have been able to win. It has also come with teaching discipline and doing things the right way.

In his first two years at Deerfield Beach, Taylor has helped the Bucks advance to the state championship, beat nationally-rated Chaminade-Madonna in a pre-season kickoff classic and put a scare into the nation’s No. 1 team, Miami Northwestern, scoring 41 points in a fall classic this season.

The Art Taylor that I know is an honest man who has a passion for the sport and coaching. While he is outspoken about getting coaches more supplement money so they won’t lose these leaders to states such as Georgia, Texas and North Carolina, he is also about not recruiting other program’s players.

At a pre-season meeting of BCAA coaches, it was Taylor, along with Dillard’s Keith Franklin, who stood up to address their fellow coaches.

“While I realize that some schools need to recruit players, they need to do it when the kids are in the eighth grade,” Taylor said to the coaches on hand for the meeting. “Taking kids who are already developed and coached at the high school level shows a blatant disrespect for your fellow coaches, and to me that teaches the kids the wrong way to do things.”

It is that kind of positive ethic that has earned Taylor a place in the heart of many parents and fellow coaches. His honesty about trying to raise money for programs by selling game tape to recruiting services instead of giving the tape away and having the service benefit financially was ground-breaking, and it was met with applause by his fellow coaches who are always trying to raise monies to better their own programs.

“If we give the game film away and never see anything in return, it’s better to hold out and send the tapes to the colleges ourselves,” Taylor said. “This is not Texas or Georgia where the revenue stream is unlimited.”

In a district that includes Taravella, Coral Springs and Douglas, the Bucks stand tall as one of the best 6A programs in the state. While he knows that he can never take anything for granted, Taylor does realize that by taking games one at a time, success will come his way.

While there is so much talent to choose from on this Deerfield Beach team, off-season camps and summer practices have opened the way for seniors Jerral Stewart (defensive back), Joshua Philpart (receiver), Rodney Harrell (running back), Demarcus Fleming (receiver), and juniors Denard Robinson (quarterback), Matt Whitfield (running back), Adrian Witty (receiver) to step up and make a difference.

 In a year where some of the top teams are starting to flex their collective muscle, it’s refreshing to know that Art Taylor and his Bucks have achieved success through hard work and respect for this great game!

BCAA BANTER: Hallandale continues to roll along after two tough seasons. Head coach Dameon Jones and his Chargers head into this week with a 3-1 record. Senior quarterback Alex Bailey passed for 217 yards and two touchdowns in a non-district game against Pines Charter…

How about head coach Jim Elder and his Cooper City Cowboys! Quarterback Eric Applegate completed 6 of 15 passes for 156 yards and three touchdown passes in a 52-27 win over Coral Springs, giving the team a perfect 3-0 start…

There have been many kickers who have had an impact over the years in the BCAA, but Cardinal Gibbons senior Blair Walsh may be the best ever. For the second straight week, the University of Georgia-bound standout booted a 59-yard field goal. The Chiefs, however, lost to unbeaten Coconut Creek by a point….

Want to know more about high school football? Check Larry Blustein’s weekly evaluations at www.floridafb.com. You can also reach him via E-Mail at Floridakids1@hotmail.com