Owls Hooked! Warhorses pull off “Boise” for big-time TD

Warhorse Brody Lane (left) tosses the ball to Payten Edwards (right) during the stellar “Boise” play for the big time touchdown against Hondo. Photo by Brigid Howard.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Sometimes a football play is more than just a perfectly executed series of passes and pitches. Sometimes it is the product of weeks of preparation, trust in teammates, and the confidence that the next man up can deliver when his number is called.
For the Devine Warhorses, that moment came in the final seconds of the first half against rival Hondo last week at Barry Field, when a cleverly executed hook-and-lateral play known as “Boise” turned a potentially routine first-half ending into a back-breaking touchdown against the Owls.
With just 7.1 seconds remaining in the half quarterback Nate Valle went down on the play preceding the Boise call. As the team’s starting linebacker, backup quarterback Brayden Mann was suddenly called upon to take the reins of the offense. Offensive Coordinator Devyn Orta had no hesitation in trusting that Brayden was going to be the “Mann” to finish the job.
The result was a memorable play that showcased the Warhorses’ preparation and belief in one another. “The terminology to call the play is ‘Boise’,” Orta explained. “We have practiced the play once or twice every week throughout the entire year since the season started.”
How this particular version of the play wound up on the first-year play-caller’s offensive hit list traces back to one of college football’s most memorable trick plays. Orta said the concept originated with Boise State’s famous hook-and-ladder against Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. He became familiar with the play while serving as co-offensive coordinator and assistant wide receivers coach at Alice under their head coach Cameron Cox, who had incorporated it into his own playbook.
“When I came to Devine for the OC position, I brought the play over with me.”
Although the Warhorses were operating with limited time, the offensive coordinator had a plan in mind from the moment Devine gained possession. “Obviously, the first half was ending and we only got the ball with…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!