In a disappointing season – for himself as well as his University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team – James Stovall wanted to make an impact one time.
The preseason first-team All-Southern Conference wide receiver has battled assorted injuries in his final year with the Mocs, but he partially blocked a punt late in Saturday’s 24-21 loss at Wofford. The block led to a short field, which allowed UTC to score a dramatic touchdown and tying two-point conversion in the eventual double-overtime loss.
“I just wanted to contribute to the team in some way,” Stovall said Monday. “I feel like I haven’t been doing that as much offensively, so I wanted to go out and contribute any way I could, and give a spark to the team.”
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Bradley Central High School graduate entered the season with foot and ankle injuries and is to the point where he feels his body is gradually breaking down. Not wanting to miss the season, he opted against having surgery until after it ends, but he’s “frustrated” because he feels he can do more but his body won’t allow it.
As a result, the player who entered the season with 58 career catches and six touchdowns has been limited to 12 catches for 111 yards and a pair of scores in 2017 while being jumped on the depth chart by juniors Bingo Morton and Wil Young.
“Physically, I just feel like crap all around,” Stovall said. “My body just feels drained at times; I’m tired all the time and my body hurts. When I wake up in the morning, I’ve got to limp to the bathroom.”
The disappointing season hasn’t shown itself in the team’s effort. And as the team has slowly improved, it’s been in part due to the seniors who didn’t check out when they could have, especially considering the level of success they had experienced in past seasons.
Stovall’s effort against Wofford was more proof of that.
“We know this (coaching) staff is here for us and would do anything for us,” he said. “They’re working hard; we’re working hard. It’s never been a lack of effort. We’re just not executing offensively and defensively like we wanted to, but I think we’re putting it all together now.
“The players, we know this coaching staff cares for us, so we’re going to go out and give everything we’ve got for them. It’s all coming together now; the pieces are falling where they should now.”
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.