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Photo Credit: Toriano Porter/PrepsKC

Hogan Prep’s Demetris Taylor was down on the sideline, writhing in pain after scoring the last of his two touchdowns against East.

The stout 5-foot-10 inch, 180-pound running back /linebacker had just converted a 6-yard touchdown run on fourth down to give his team a three-touchdown cushion against the host Bears when he came up limp.

Taylor had pretty much dominated both sides of the ball in the Rams' 30-13 Week 3 win over East. Leg cramps turned out to be the issue.

It’s understandable why Taylor would be gassed. He was all over the field making life difficult for East quarterback Cristian Owens and his receivers and running backs and punishing Bear defenders on offense.

Still, for a few seconds, Hogan head coach Phil Lascuola had to be worried he would lose one of his top playmakers late in the third quarter. Crisis averted. And thank goodness, Lascuola said.

“I’m always worried when No. 4 (Taylor’s jersey number) is down.” the Rams coach said. “Or any of our guys for that matter.”

Taylor swarmed on defense all night. He was credited with a quarterback pressure in the first quarter and recorded a sack in the second. He punished Owens on the play as the pass attempt fail to the turf incomplete.

“Meechie (Taylor’s nickname) is on one tonight,” a Rams player yelled from the sideline. “Meechie is on one.”

Taylor’s bruising 24-yard run in the fourth quarter quelled any uneasiness about the senior’s health.

“I just do what I can, but I can’t do it without my O-Line and my team,” he said.

Taylor wasn’t the only one on full tilt Friday. East junior wide receiver and defensive back Chris Thornton put on a show of his own.

The dynamic playmaker did his best to keep his team in the game by recording three interceptions and tallying both of the Bears’ score.

Thornton nabbed his second and third interceptions of the game late in the fourth. The INTs were Thornton’s sixth and seventh of the season. He has two pick-6 TD returns to his credit as well.

“Instincts,” Thornton said of his penchant for tracking balls.

With the win, Hogan claimed its first victory of the season. The Rams, 1-2, will take on winless Southeast (0-3) in Week 4 feeling brand new.

“I think we’re back now,” Taylor said. “We Hogan, baby.”

East fell to 0-3 on the young season. The Bears led 7-0 early before things unraveled.

Thornton was a source of inspiration as East fought to keep the came within striking distance. But Hogan went on a 30-0 spree before Thornton’s final score.

“He’s a beast,” Bears head coach Greg Smith said. “He listens. You put him in a spot and goes and gets the ball. You throw it, he’s going to go get it.”