Boone pushes past loss to lead Wildcats.
“A true test of character is not how you are on your best day but how you act on your worst day.”
El Dorado’s Alex Boone has already gone through a lot as he begins his senior football season. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound tight end earned a bigger role in the off-season after a superb summer of 7-on-7 competition.
He caught the game-winning touchdown to win the tournament at Camden Fairview, hauling in the pass with defenders clinging to him.
One of the Wildcats’ most dedicated workers, football became less of a priority for Boone when his mother passed away a couple weeks ago. The loss of a mother can break anyone, regardless of age. How Boone handled it, amazed the El Dorado coaches.
“It seemed like, even in that last week when you knew what was going to happen, he was still at practice,” said El Dorado coach Scott Reed. “I visited with him and his father and I said don’t miss a minute here with your mother. Next thing I knew, he was at practice that evening. I called his dad and his dad said, ‘Coach, he’s here all the time. That’s the way she would want it.’ He didn’t want any attention about it. I think he’s been very mature. I know it’s going to be tough. There’s going to be some times, Senior Night and all those kind of things. But, he has been tremendous. He’s been a great example for all of our kids.”
Boone has set the standard on the field as well. The lone senior at his position backed by several sophomores, he has accepted a leadership role.
“Alex has done a good job of taking a leadership role with those young guys and helping teach them on the side, remind them what their rule is, remind them what their route is. He’s doing a good job with those guys,” said tight end coach Kris Borosvskis.
Boone played right tackle for the Wildcats as a sophomore. He moved to tight end last year, catching eight passes for 95 yards. It’s because of him that El Dorado has expanded the role.
“He brings some things we haven’t always had at tight end. He’s long. He has good ball skills. He’s a very good inline blocker. He’s a weapon we have to use,” said Reed, who said Boone will spread out as a receiver in some formations.
“I’d rather be spread out. I feel comfortable out there. But, I do like blocking, though,” said Boone, who is also listed as a backup fullback. He said the move from tackle to tight end was a positive.
“It was something I liked. I always wanted to go out for passes.”
After a year at the position, Borosvskis said his improvement has been exponential.
“Alex Boone has gained about 15 or 20 pounds since last year. He’s really coming into that role. He’s intelligent, big body with a great set of hands,” said Borosvskis. “I thought he had a great season last year, graded high in every game. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. Moving forward into this season, he’ll be able to help us in different spots and different capacities.”
Boone admitted, dealing with the loss of his mother has been difficult. Being with his teammates helped him get through it.
“Football is a way to keep my mind off of it,” he said. “It was just being around them and having all of their support.”
“There were a lot of times in the summer where Alex would spend the night with his mother,” said Reed. “He stayed up with her. His dad and his brother were gone to work a lot. He was here every day. He never complained. I know he had to be tired. He never got out of a sprint or a lift.”
How he dealt with such an emotional adversity served as an inspiration to Boone’s teammates and coaches, alike.
“I’m just in awe every day when he shows up,” said Borosvskis. “Enduring the loss of his mother, the loss of a family member of any kind is tough. But, the loss of your mother and his attitude and his spirit being here. Even the week that she passed, he was at practice. I think this is a good place for him, dealing with that. We’re family. When you spend as much time with each other as we do, you have no choice but to develop a relationship with these kids.
“Our heart definitely went out to them. But, the strength he’s shown, the emotional and mental fortitude he’s shown moving forward, I mean, it’s just been an amazing experience to see that. I know he’s been through a lot. His family has been through a lot. We’re so thankful we could be there for him in his time of need. At the same time, I think we all learned a little bit of something, just watching him go through those things and the way he handled it.”