Last Saturday, Nov. 17, the Georgia Tech football team defeated the University of Virginia 30-27 in Atlanta.
Though the Yellow Jackets picked up the win, it didn’t come easy with the game going into overtime.
With both teams tied up at 27, Georgia Tech sealed the victory on their first possession in OT when placekicker Wesley Walls booted in a 40-yard field goal. With the win Tech improved their overall record to 7-4 while the Cavaliers dropped to 7-4.
Former Long County High School standout football player Tariq Carpenter, who received a scholarship to play for the Yellow Jackets, led the defense in tackles with 10 overall, five solo and five assists.
Carpenter, who is a sophomore with Georgia Tech, said that he had been a part of several close games with the Yellow Jackets, but this was the first time he was able to enjoy a victory. He also said he was happy that the seniors on the team could pick up a win in their final home game of the season.
“Last year we went through several games that were decided on the last play of the game, however we just were never on the winning end of it at the end, this game, it showed that we have improved on finishing games. It was definitely one I won’t forget, sending the seniors out with a win like that,” Carpenter said.
Last year as a freshman, Carpenter got playing time in five games for the Yellow Jackets, this year as a sophomore he has started all eleven games posting 46 tackles and having 2 interceptions. He said he is enjoying his time at Georgia Tech, but he feels he can always improve as a player.
“It feels good to being able to compete each Saturday with my teammates, it is also good to notice your hard work is paying off from the offseason, but I could definitely be having a much better season, but there’s always bumps in the road”, said Carpenter.
Carpenter who graduated from Long County High School in 2017 after a stellar career with the Blue Tide, said that he is thankful for the opportunity to play for Georgia Tech, and that he always tries to represent his home town well as a member of the team.
“I just wanted to say thank you to all the people back home for supporting me, and cheering me on Saturdays, it’s truly a blessing for me to represent the people back home,” he said.