Taggart says have patience with Ben Axon and Leon Allen

Ben Axon working his way back

Manatee County football fans are happy Western Kentucky under Canes legend Willie Taggart pulled off the upset over Kentucky last week. But they surely want to know what’s going on with former Manatee High running backs Leon Allen and Ben Axon.

The horse for the Hilltoppers in the Kentucky game was Antonio Andrews. He got most of the running load against Kentucky with 34 carries for 128 yards while Allen had six carries for 20 yards.

Taggart says to be patient, particularly in the case of Axon, who joined the team during the summer and did not play last season.

“Ben has to work his way up, but he is doing a great job on special teams,” Taggart said. “I think it’s a little bit everything with him. He hasn’t played for a while, he has to get in football shape and he has to learn a new system. He has also never played at this level before.

“That was too many carries for Andrews, but it was one of those games where he was feeling it and we kept giving it to him. He was in a zone. Allen probably should’ve had more carries.”  

Taggart also lauded the play of linebacker Terran Williams (Southeast High) and Braden River High product Willie McNeal, who caught a touchdown pass.