American Morning
Middle school quarterback on trick play: 'I didn't think it was going to work'
(CNN) – During Driscoll Middle School's football game over the weekend in Corpus Christi, Texas, the quarterback pulled off an incredible trick play that’s destined for the all-time highlight reel. In the middle of the game, the center handed the quarterback the ball. While holding the ball, he slowly walked forward like he was counting off yards, pacing out a penalty. But after walking behind the defensive line, he sprinted towards the end zone and scored a touchdown. Because the center had handed off the ball at the beginning of the play, the defensive line did not even know the play had started.
The video of the “penalty play” has quickly gone viral. The referees say it’s legal, but there has been mixed reaction about the play. American Morning’s John Roberts and Kiran Chetry talk to the masterminds behind the trick play, Driscoll Middle School’s eighth-grade quarterback, Jason Garza, and Assistant Coach and Offensive Coordinator, John De Los Santos.
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Saw a play similar to this a few years ago. As soon as the QB had the ball and took a step across the line of scrimage, the safety came in blazing at FULL speed. The QB left the game and the team eventually lost. This is not genius, this is stupid. Plays like this WILL get someone injured, perhaps permanently. Shame on the coaches, shame on the officials, and shame on the people cheering it on. Count on that QB paying the price somewhere down the road for that one.
Good job. Brave play. And shows the kids what it is a mind game too.
Why is this act getting all this attention. This is not a play of genius, this is cheating. The referee's should have stopped this play as soon as the QB started running. All the referee's should be downgraded. Maybe that's why they're only calling mid-school games
By rule, actions or verbiage designed to confuse the defense into believing there is a problem and a snap isn't imminent is beyond the scope of sportmanship and is illegal. Per the National Federation of State High School Association Rule book in which this game fell under. To the other coach, "Protest" if it's not too late
CNN shame on you...Do your research it is illegal to intentionally deceive the other team in this manner in every state except potentially TX which has it's own rules. Also illegal in the NCAA. Read up, check NFHS rules and stop posting these nonsensical plays...If TX allows this then shame on you TX!
Two things struck me about this: First, this is a middle school team, and second, it was the championship game. I could see a high school or college team pulling this stunt, where the opposing players could be expected to be knowledgeable and savvy enough to realize that a delay of game penalty is not 10 yards. Or I could see doing this stunt as a gag in a preseason game. But the championship game? What is this teaching these middle schoolers about fair play?
The coach kind of glossed over the reaction of the other team and opposing coach. I can't imagine that they weren't incensed and didn't express that.
Seems over the top to me. This is way beyond a fake field goal–this is taking advantage of the innocence of middle-schoolers.
This coach is getting all this attention for such a tricky play and here's a link from 2007. Look familiar? http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/weblog/comments/4667/
99 percent of viewers will insist that they would not have been duped. 100 percent of them would be wrong.
Trick! after doing his "master trick", the quarterback got some well deserved beats for trying to play "bright"!
In a game of strategy, especially one that also simulates the basics of war, it's good to remember that the opposing team doesn't have to do the obvious all the time. In fact, sometimes the slow, careful move wins the battle. *G*
Nice job. 🙂
When I first saw this I didn't beleive it! This is definitely one to watch. Congrats to the coach and the QB.