HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS : CITY SECTION : Sylmar Packing Lethal One-Two

Batman had Robin, the Lone Ranger had Tonto, and Durell Price has Gerrod Taylor.

Best friends who rely on each other.

Consider this: Sylmar High has never lost a game with Price and Taylor in the backfield.

The dynamic duo, who have 48 of the Spartans’ 67 touchdowns this season, have played together in 25 games the past three seasons, not including a victory Taylor sat out this year because of a tooth infection.

The top-seeded Spartans (11-0), defending City Section 4-A Division champions, will try to extend their winning streak to 26 games tonight at 7 when they play host to Narbonne (9-2) in playoff quarterfinal.

Together, the pair have been as unstoppable as a speeding bullet. While opponents prepare to stop the 6-foot-1, 220-pound power ranger, they often overlook the other guy in the backfield: the 5-6, 165-pound underdog.

Taylor has rushed for 792 yards and is averaging 11.3 yards a carry in the shadow of Price and his 1,544 yards and region-leading 35 touchdowns.

Don’t think that Price, who is among the most heavily recruited running backs in the nation, fails to appreciate what Taylor brings to the backfield.

Asked about his partner, Price shakes his head, puckers his lips and whistles slow and steady.

“That’s my right-hand man right there,” Price says. “If he wasn’t there I don’t know how the season would be going for me right now. He opens up a lot of things.

“When he’s in the game, they have to worry about someone else besides No. 5. He’s an exciting player. He can make things happen.”

Taylor is perhaps the most exciting player in the region not to receive top billing. Unfortunately for Taylor, Price just happens to be the most punishing, powerful, explosive back to come out of Sylmar, which has produced four running backs who received Division I scholarships in the past six years.

But Taylor will never have to play the “what if” game. He felt the heat of the spotlight as a sophomore at Poly. After playing in Sylmar’s opener against Kennedy in 1993 (a 7-7 tie), Taylor moved with his mother into Poly’s district and was a one-back wonder for Coach Fred Cuccia’s Parrots, rushing for 1,001 yards and eight touchdowns in 186 carries.

A semester later, Taylor moved back into the Sylmar area and rejoined the Spartans. He has played second fiddle to Price ever since but has never once complained about his role.

“And that’s a real big credit to Gerrod,” Sylmar Coach Jeff Engilman says. “That’s tough to do in this day and age.”

Taylor, who starts at defensive back, returns punts and kickoffs, and plays quarterback when Sylmar sets in a wishbone formation, is tough to tackle. He darts, jukes, spins away from tacklers and frequently steadies himself by putting a hand on the ground to regain his momentum before heading down field again. He has scored 13 touchdowns. Another six have been nullified by penalties.

Taylor’s abilities have not gone unnoticed. Coaches from Hawaii, Fresno State, Nevada Las Vegas and Utah are recruiting Taylor as a wide receiver.

Recruiters from several top college programs--Nebraska, Washington, Colorado, USC and UCLA among them--have been lining up to talk to Price. They may be there a while. Price’s phone was disconnected over the summer after a visiting cousin ran up the phone bill.

Yet, that hasn’t seemed to discourage the recruiters.

“There are four or five schools here looking at him every day now,” Engilman said. “He fits the new type of college offense, the single back. Like a [Natrone Means] type of runner. He’s a prototype. He’s the type that punishes people.”

Price also puts the hurt on players as a middle linebacker. He is the centerpiece of a defense that allows 177 yards a game.

“On defense, we couldn’t operate [without him],” Engilman said. “We might be able to do some things with mirrors if Gerrod’s not in there, but not Durell.”

Price said he will refuse to play any position other than running back in college, but does not mind playing defense in high school. Price rarely leaves the field. He is banging on opponents every play. He is the quintessential team player, which Engilman told him he must be for the Spartans to repeat as City champions.

“This year I had to be the team leader, [who] does all the talkin’ and gets the young guys focused and ready to play,” Price said. “I have to go out and lead by example with my play. This year I took on a bigger role.”

Price also has taken on more responsibility since the birth of his son, Durell Jr., 16 months ago.

His dedication to his family is obvious to anyone who sits down to talk with him. Or to anyone who notices that Price has played the last 25 games with his son’s baby rattle in his pants, wedged in his thigh-pad pocket.

He speaks frequently of his love for his brother, Deon Price, who as a quarterback guided Sylmar to a City title in 1992. And he is not shy about his feelings for the three women in his life: his girlfriend, his sister and his mother.

A three-by-one-inch tattoo of his mother’s name etched into his right forearm tells the story.

Price may be one of the toughest backs in the nation, but in his heart he’s really just a momma’s boy.

“Yeah, you could say that,” Price said. “But it depends on who’s saying it.”