Schools

Skyline's Mat Taylor to Coordinate Offense at Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl

Taylor was selected as one of 18 coaches from across the country to head the inaugural East vs. West gridiron matchup Jan. 3, 2012 at 3 p.m.

The inaugural Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl has picked Skyline football coach Mat Taylor as one of 18 of high school football coaches selected to serve as the official coaching staff for the East vs. West face-off on Jan. 3, 2012 in Phoenix.

The event is presented by JuniorRank Sports and the United States Marine Corps, and will feature 100 of the country’s top high school football players. Coaches from coast to coast were scouted for the coaching staff positions, with the final 18 selected based on their volunteered time, expertise and commitment to the inaugural bowl game.

“It’s a tremendous honor,” said Taylor, who found out he was selected even before leading the Spartans to a commanding win over Skyview at the Washington state 4A football championships. Taylor has been the Spartans' head football coach for the past four seasons, and has coached for 12 years on the coaching staff at Skyline.  Coach Taylor has been coaching high school football for total of 17 years, and teaches special education at Skyline. Taylor has earned both the Washington State Coach of the Year and the Seahawks Coach of the Week honors, among others. 

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The team will include on its roster Jeff Lindquist, a senior at Mercer Island High School, and Nathan Dean, a senior at Juanita High School in Kirkland.

Taylor leaves for Phoenix on Dec. 27, and his wife, Katie, will join him on New Year’s Eve. He said it will be a challenge to pull the team together with just a week to practice, but he’s looking forward to the experience.

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“It’s a great thing for everybody. The biggest thing is to have fun,” Taylor said.

“By lending our motto Semper Fidelis to this bowl game, we are showing our commitment to developing well-rounded individuals. This game will feature some of the most talented athletes in the country, but each has been selected not only for his athletic prowess, but also his academic performance and the strength of his character,” said Brig. Gen. Joseph L. Osterman, Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command in a press release.

For the West team, head coach Steve Belles from Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz. will lead the way.

For the East team, head coach Biff Poggi from Gilman School in Baltimore will take the reins. Poggi has been coaching at Gilman for 29 seasons, with the last 15 as head coach.

Belles and Poggi will coach their respective teams for the inaugural Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl alongside the following assistant coaches:

West team assistant coaches include:

  • Wide Receivers Coach/Offensive Coordinator:  Mat Taylor, Skyline High School (Sammamish, Wash.)
  • Running Backs Coach/Specials:  Mike Johnston, Hamilton High School (Chandler, Ariz.)
  • Quarter Back Coach:  Shaun Aguano, Chandler High School (Chandler, Ariz.)
  • Offensive Line Coach:  Anthony Sanchez, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
  • Defensive Backs Coach/Defensive Coordinator:  John Sanders, Saguaro High School (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
  • Defensive Line Coach:  Dave Peck, Bingham High School (South Jordan, Utah)
  • Defensive Backs Coach:  Tony Perry, Central East High School (Fresno, Calif.)
  • Linebackers Coach:  Lane Reynolds, Hamilton High School (Chandler, Ariz.) 

East team assistant coaches include:

  • Quarter Back Coach/Offensive Coordinator: Chris Baucia, Baltimore Gilman (Baltimore)
  • Running Backs Coach: Telly Lockette, Miami Central High School (Miami)
  • Wide Receivers Coach:  Sean Callahan, Armwood High School (Seffner, Fla.)
  • Offensive Line Coach:  Henry Russell, Baltimore Gillman (Baltimore)
  • Offensive Line Coach:  Christopher Chick, Saguaro High School (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
  • Defensive Line Coach/Defensive Coordinator:  John Hart, Warren Central Catholic (Indianapolis)
  • Linebackers Coach:  Shannon Messick, Norfolk Christian (Norfolk, Va.)
  • Defensive Backs Coach:  Maurice Douglass, Trotwood Madison High School  (Trotwood, Ohio)

The Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl will air on CBS Sports Network Jan. 3, 2012, at 3 p.m. Pacific Time from Phoenix. The preceding day The Proving Ground football combine, airing Jan. 2, 2012, at 12 p.m. Pacific Time, on CBS Sports Network, will give viewers the chance to watch 400 of the country’s best high school football stars participate in skills competitions, showing a national audience why these impressive athletes represent the next generation of collegiate football talent.

To learn more about the Semper Fidelis Bowl and presenters JuniorRank Sports and the United States Marine Corps, visit http://www.semperfidelisbowl.com.


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