He’s Well-Versed in Focusing

His name is William Taylor, but he speaks and lives his life with the passion and foresight of William Shakespeare.

He’s an 18-year-old senior with dyslexia, putting him in company with Albert Einstein and Bill Gates. He’s an artist with a portfolio of canvas paintings, oil and pen sketches. He’s a devoted churchgoer who spent spring break in Mexico helping build lodgings and playing with orphans.

Most of all, William Taylor is the face of Mission Viejo football. While others focus on the Diablos’ two standout college prospects, running back Chane Moline and tight end Konrad Reuland, the reason the top-ranked Diablos figure to go 14-0 is Taylor, a 6-foot, 185-pound inside linebacker who is extremely fast and understands what it takes to excel.

“I’ve been playing football since 1995,” he said. “It’s 10 years of slowly but surely realizing being small, fame and glory isn’t what football is about. It’s about building a mind-set for life. It’s about work ethic and enjoying it. Every coach says these are the best years of your life. But every year should be until you die.”

Who needs to hear a lecture on dedication when Taylor is a living, practicing example of what every coach wants from an athlete?

“He knows one speed, and it’s full speed,” Coach Bob Johnson said.

After four games, Taylor is Mission Viejo’s leading tackler. He’ll unleash a burst of speed and slam into a ballcarrier.

“I have a tendency to attack,” he said.

He’s the reigning South Coast League track champion for 100 meters, so his speed, 11.0 seconds for 100 meters and 4.4 for 40 yards, allows him to quickly make up ground.

“I’m about supporting other people,” he said. “It’s about the front guys putting pressure on and me filling gaps so they can make plays.”

There are times he might be run over by a taller, bigger, stronger player. The difference is, Taylor always gets back up prepared to find a way to succeed.

“Mater Dei had this fullback,” Taylor said. “It took two plays of him running me over to get me mad. I think I stuffed him. Nothing should be able to stop you if that’s what you want to do.”

Excuses don’t go over well with Taylor. Dyslexia, which impairs his reading ability, is an easy excuse to falter in school. But he has a 3.5 grade-point average and rejects failure.

“Instead of using it as an excuse, I take advantage,” he said. “My brain is no less powerful than anyone else. If I have to work harder to keep up with people, then I’m going to.”

Painting is something that makes him feel good inside and offers another challenge.

“I like pushing myself to see what I can and can’t do,” he said. “It’s another area I’m really focused on.”

Taylor said his experiences in Mexico with members of his church helping the poor provided him with “a perspective on giving back.”

“If I’m having hard times, I’m hoping somebody is looking to help me out,” he said. “We live in Southern California. It’s not reality. Not everything is about your father’s ‘Benz, and mom and dad aren’t going to help you out forever.”

Taylor’s father was a Navy pilot. His brother is a captain in the Air Force and a pararescue jumper. His grandfather was an Army Air Corps pilot. He said at some point, he might join the military because he believes it’s important “to serve my country.”

“I’m not trying to win a good-deed award,” he said. “I have great faith in mankind.”

Talent alone doesn’t win championships. It’s the commitment and determination of individual players, so those wanting to defeat Mission Viejo, including visiting Concord De La Salle on Saturday night, beware the Taylor factor.

“The funnest thing for me is being out there with my friends,” he said. “This is by far the best group of individuals you’ll meet. There’s just chemistry. I’ve been on teams where they haven’t gotten along. Everybody enjoys each other’s company.”

Hanging out with Taylor is like studying Shakespeare, who wrote:

“We few, we happy few,

We band of brothers;

For he today that sheds

His blood with me shall be my brother.”

Taylor doesn’t need to quote Shakespeare for proof of what he believes. He demonstrates it every day.

Eric Sondheimer can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com