Weevils Lose Close Game Against Arkansas Tech

Staff Writer

Photo by Latoya Shelton

Kick It - Kicker Derek Jambon of Marerro, La., practices before the game starts. The Weevils lost a close game with Arkansas Tech 38-35.

   The University of Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils discovered more about themselves in a 38-35 loss against the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys Saturday, Sept. 27.
 
   The Weevils faced adversity going into the second half, down 29-7.  Coming back to tie the game in the fourth quarter 35-35 took much heart and dedication, but none stood out more than sophomore offensive lineman Tripp Boatner.
 
   Tech had the ball on their 25-yard line in the fourth quarter. With the Weevils down 35-29, Boatner suffered a blow to the knee, leaving him lying on the ground in pain for about 30 seconds. When head coach Gwaine Mathews and the team trainer started out to field, Boatner jumped up.
 
   “I saw the coach and the trainer go over to him and I read his lips and he (Tripp Boatner) said ‘I’m alright,’ Debra Boatner, Boatner’s mother said. “That’s the kind of kid he is. He has the biggest heart.”
 
   A few plays later, the Weevils scored up the middle behind Boatner with a run by Johnny Polite. This tied the game 35-35 with 4:29 left in the game.
 
   ‘”This football team is on the right path when you got people fighting like that when they are injured,” Mathews said. “We tried to get him out of the game and he wouldn’t come out.”
 
   After a Tech field goal and kickoff, the Weevils would take over on their 37-yard-line. Boatner came out with the offense, limping, trying to give it everything he had to be there for what would be the last drive of the night.
 
   “The pain became unbearable but I had to be there for my team. I didn’t want to let them down,” Boatner said. “No matter what happened, I knew I wasn’t coming out.”
 
   He did not come out of the game and helped lead his team down to the 15-yard-line to set up an unsuccessful game-tying field goal, resulting in the Weevil’s first home loss of the year.
 
   “He was upset more about the loss than his knee; it is about the team first for him,” Debra Boatner said. “I am really, really proud of him.”
 
   The pain finally set in on Boatner in the locker room. He went home with an ice bag on his knee and a crutch under each arm.
 
   “I will play next week,” Boatner said. “I am just going tape it up or something and I will be fine.”
 
   The Weevils return to action Oct. 4 at Ouachita Baptist; it will be a televised game produced by Comcast Sports Southeast.

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