Oglethorpe County Superintendent Beverley Levine never forgot the moment a young Levi Taylor expressed his desire to be the next Larry Munson.
Years later, the Oglethorpe County Patriots found themselves in need of a football announcer.
“So when we had this opportunity,” she told him, “it’s not like Larry Munson, but you’ve got your shot.”
Now, Taylor sits within a small gray and white press box, his enthusiasm and energy contagious as he picks up the microphone before him to begin announcing Oglethorpe County’s football game against Washington-Wilkes on Aug. 30: “It’s Friday night in the OC, and it’s time for some Patriot football.”
“Levi calling the games does an amazing job,” Levine said. “I was at a game earlier this season. I won’t name which county (but) the announcer really grated on everybody's last nerve. And so to come out here to have Levi be so upbeat, call such a good clean (game), makes it fun for everybody. I can’t say enough about what he does and how he pumps the crowd up.”
Taylor, the pastor of Mt. Pleasant Community Church, has been the announcer for the Patriots for eight years, his voice becoming a staple of Friday Night Football. With such a tight knit community and energy filling the stands, Taylor said announcing just comes naturally.
“I have a lot of pride in Oglethorpe County. I love this place. It’s home,” he said.
Taylor’s passion can be traced to his own days of playing for the same program he now announces for, and he has used that passion to build a community and a reputation.
“I like to have fun with it and just be myself,” Taylor said. “And really, that’s the main thing. I'm passionate about it, just like I’m passionate about the church. And I’m passionate about what God is doing in our church.”
Taylor expressed his gratitude for the support he has received in both of his endeavors, whether it’s someone saying “that’s my pastor up there,” or “I hear you on Friday nights.”
Last Friday was Rec Night for Oglethorpe County, which filled the stands with future OCHS students and athletes. Washington-Wilkes defeated the Patriots 20-17, but despite the loss, Taylor ended the game the same way he always does.
“No matter what happens during the game, win or lose, at the end of the game, I'll always thank our visiting crowd for coming,” he said. “Tell everybody that I hope everybody has safe travels. And I always end it with a good night, God bless you and go Pats.”