Play of the week: TD run by Desert Ridge's Jerry O'Toole

October 15, 2011 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


The finest moment of Friday's prep football schedule might have been a furious last-minute rally by Liberty to overcome a two-touchdown deficit to Desert Edge. A 42-28 deficit with a couple minutes left turns into a heart-stopping 43-42 win for Liberty.

But a heart-warming touchdown, a 71-yard run by Desert Ridge's Jerry O'Toole loomed larger.

O'Toole, a junior, is a special needs student at Desert Ridge. He is afflicted with Noonan's Syndrome, an autosomal dominant congenital disorder that slows development. His touchdown run came courtesy of a conversation earlier in the week between Mesa High coach Kelley Moore and Desert Ridge coach Jeremy Hathcock.

The big-scoring play came from the team already in front at the time, 55-14. About the last thing a coach of a team trailing by 41 points wants to see is his team allow another score.

"We were getting embarrassed by a good footballl team, but watching (O'Toole) score was much bigger for eternity,"  Moore said. "We talked about it during the week if the situation was there, it might happen. That was much bigger than our pride."

Desert Ridge is 6-2 and likely on its way to the playoffs after a runner-up finish last year. Hathcock gave an opportunity to a loyal, integral part of his program for the last couple of years A memory that will never go away.

Mesa is 3-5 and intent on winning its final two games to finish at .500. Moore, who guided the Jackrabbits to a state runner-up finish just two years ago, showed he teaches more than football Xs and Os on a daily basis with this example. Important life lessons that resonate.

That one is still ringing in my ears, Kelley and Jeremy. Happy to have it.