Shifty with a low center of gravity, Lemont’s Daniel Taylor delivers with an uncanny ability to make defenders miss.

The senior running back can spin to the left or right, use his speed to zip through the heart of the defensive line or even leap over a would-be tackler.

That’s good news for Lemont. Opponents? Not so much.

“He’s a load, and he’s extremely quick, too,” first-year coach Willie Hayes said. “He ran track for us in the spring and busts his chops in the weight room. You can tell just by looking at him.

“I think the kids love blocking for him and playing for him. I think he’s overachieving our expectations. It’s great.”

The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Taylor was an effective threat Friday night for conference kingpin Lemont in a 51-12 South Suburban Blue victory over host Oak Forest.

Taylor finished with 14 carries for 119 yards and scored four touchdowns for Lemont (3-2, 3-0), including an 11-yard burst at the end of the third quarter that had him leaping past that would-be tackler into the end zone.

His performance augmented a big effort from senior quarterback Chris Montell. The Marist transfer completed 11 of 19 passes for 203 yards and a 46-yard TD to junior receiver Chase Lefevers. Junior running back Zac Piskule added 102 yards on nine carries.

Senior running back Joshua Dawson led Oak Forest (1-4, 1-2) with 94 yards rushing on eight carries, but the Bengals hurt themselves with two interceptions and a fumble.

For Taylor, however, this was his time. He appears ready to take a further step into the limelight after joining varsity for the playoffs as a sophomore.

Now in his final season, Taylor realizes he’s in a position to lead a team that graduated key contributors on both sides of the ball, along with his predecessor at running back Nate Wrublik.

“This is a very fresh team — like baby new,” Taylor said. “A lot of these guys prior to this hadn’t seen a varsity snap yet.

“We have a lot of peer leaders on this team, so what I like to do is look at our younger players. I like when they look up to me. I try to play my best on this field so they have a role model to look up to.”

Taylor didn’t start football until he was in eighth grade, due to his parents’ injury concerns, but as a wrestler in seventh grade, he was encouraged to try the sport.

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Good decision. He scored three times in the first half Friday night on runs of 6, 11 and 6 yards. The last one put Lemont up 31-6 at halftime, and that sealed the deal.

Taylor’s performance even raised the eyebrows of Montell and junior offensive tackle Jake Sulzberger.

“He really opens up that running game,” Montell said. “He steps in there and takes blocks when I need it. Establishing the run game is a huge part of football because it opens the over-the-top pass.”

“This year, he’s come in here as a total tank for us, especially in the run block game,” Sulzberger said. “It’s awesome to have him there on deep drives. You can count on him to fill in a hole for linebacker blitzes.”

There’s still a ton of Taylor’s senior season left to be played, but he’s off on the right foot with 611 yards and 12 TDs. Where is that going to take him after high school?

“Right now, I plan on playing college football,” he said. “I’m always striving every day to get better.”

Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.