ROGERS -- Rogers High offensive line coach Rob Bray doesn't usually make a run to Taco Bell and deliver the goods to one of his players. But on the morning of August 13, Bray figured senior offensive guard Skyler Partain needed his spirits lifted up a bit.
"Taco Bell is open 24 hours and I went and bought him a 12-pack of tacos," Bray said. "He loved that."
Player Profile
Skyler Partain
School: Rogers High
Class: Senior
Height: 5-11
Weight: 260
Notable: Was bitten by a Copperhead snake almost a month ago but returned to start in the Mounties season opening win against Siloam Springs last week. … Saw very limited playing time as a junior but was part of an offensive line that helped Rogers rush for over 500 yards last week.
Partain had worked hard in the offseason to earn playing time on a Rogers offensive line that was replacing all five starters from a year ago. In fact, when Partain left practice on August 12, he was penciled in as the starter at right guard.
But things changed that night.
Partain went out to check on his dog and when he stepped onto his front porch he felt a stinging sensation on his foot.
"I thought is was a bee sting or something," Partain said.
It was something much worse.
As Partain reeled back inside his house he noticed a poisonous Copperhead snake was coming back in the home with him. Partain had suffered a snake bite.
"I didn't even see it, but when it bit me, I kicked it in the house," Partain said. "I didn't even know it was a snake until I kicked it into the house. I knew right away that it was a Copperhead. My dad then killed it with the dog dish."
Partain was quickly rushed to the hospital and he was give antibiotics and pain killers. Fortunately, the snake had only made contact with one fang, but Partain still spent the night and all the next day in the hospital.
"I was thinking on the way to the hospital, 'This sucks', because I knew I was going to be out of football for a few days," Partain said.
Bray found out about the situation the next morning and figured some food would be good for the 5-foot-11, 260-pound lineman.
"It made me sick to my stomach because Skyler had worked so hard to get himself ready to play," Bray said. "It floored him too because he knew there was a lot of competition up there."
But Partain returned to practice less than two weeks after being bitten and he started in the Mounties season opening 35-21 win over Siloam Springs last week.
"Every day got progressively better," Partain said. "When I was out a few days, I really wanted to get back out there and help my team. I wanted to have a starting job on the offensive line. I was ready to get back in the game."
And Partain's first start was a memorable one. With the offensive line paving the way, Rogers fullback Bryan Grigsby set a 7A-West Conference single-game rushing record with 446 yards and five touchdowns on 32 carries in the win against Siloam Springs.
Partain said last week's performance has given the offense a boost of confidence heading into Friday's game at Class 6A Claremore, Okla. Rogers had 11 new offensive starters on the field last week against Siloam Springs.
"We knew we all had to step up because we didn't have much time playing," Partain said. "We worked well together as a team and everybody did their job. We think we are headed in the right direction."
Overall, Bray was pleased with Partain and the entire offensive line but said they must continue to improve each week.
"It was good to have him back because he is solid for us," Bray said. "But Skyler knows he still has to work hard because everybody wants to play. We made some mistakes, but they played with great effort for the most part. We are out-athleted most of time so we have to play hard every play."
Sports on 09/11/2014