Coach Hank Sawyer has guided Lake Taylor to nearly 250 victories, three state championships and three other state title game appearances.

So Sawyer’s first losing record in 27 seasons as the Titans’ coach was tough.

“Not making the playoffs last year left the entire team with very bad empty feelings,” Sawyer said about the 3-7 season. “We all questioned what was happening and what was the reason.”

The Titans fixed it and went 8-2 this season to earn the No. 1 seed in Class 3 Region A. Their only two losses came against Eastern District champion Maury and Peninsula District champion Hampton.

On Friday, Lake Taylor hosts No. 8 seed Colonial Heights (1-9) in a region quarterfinal at 7 p.m.

“I’m extremely honored to be the coach of a group of young men that accepted the challenge last Dec

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