Borah football rides turnover frenzy to an upset victory. ‘I think people underestimate us’
A second-quarter turnover marked the first drop of blood. And Borah’s defense spent the rest of the night feasting.
The Lions forced six turnovers — including five after halftime — en route to a 23-10 victory at Owyhee on Friday night, spoiling the Storm’s homecoming and further tangling the 6A SIC’s power structure on a night full of upsets.
Borah (3-1, 1-0 6A SIC River) junior defensive lineman Mason McKenna struck the first blow, sitting on a screen pass and intercepting the throw from Owyhee quarterback Nathan Keith to set up Borah’s first touchdown of the night. Tyler Spencer then stripped Keith and Gavin Hudson pounced on the fumble, Ryan Lopez intercepted three passes and Karden Haplin added one last pick on a desperation heave.
The Lions’ secret? Preparation, McKenna said.
“We spend so much time watching film that when they’re running a play, half the time we know what play they’re running,” McKenna said. “A lot of it is film study and effort on the field.”
Borah’s defensive front established control of the line of scrimmage early, regularly penetrating into the backfield and shutting down Owyhee’s running game. That forced the Storm into a one-dimensional attack. And the Lions pinned their ears back and came after both Owyhee quarterbacks all night.
Lopez had a field day in the secondary, peeling off his receiver and jumping on errant passes to set a career high with three interceptions. But no turnover swung the game more than his diving catch at the Lions’ own 3-yard line.
After Owyhee (3-1, 0-1) cut the lead to 20-10 in the third quarter, Borah attempted a trick play on the ensuing kickoff. It backfired as Ayden Melendez’s throw across the field to Lopez fell short, and the Storm pounced on the ball at Borah’s 8-yard line.
But two plays later, Lopez jumped a comeback route by Aidan Joye for the momentum-swinging turnover along Owyhee’s sideline.
Lopez also broke up a sure touchdown grab by Owyhee’s Ryan Brekke to end the first half, and returned the game’s opening kickoff 60 yards to set up the first of three field goals by Mo Hodzic.
“We could talk about Ryan all night,” McKenna said. “He makes plays. You guys all saw it. I’ll let his play do the talking.”
Owyhee entered the night as the talk of the SIC a week after upsetting Meridian, the three-time defending state semifinalist. But Borah further threw a wrench in the SIC’s playoff race with an upset to open both teams’ River Division schedule.
“We were looking up for this week,” Lopez said. “I kind of feel disrespected because they didn’t even put us in the (state) rankings. … I think people underestimate us.”
Borah finished eighth overall in the SIC’s preseason coaches’ poll, including fourth out of six teams in the River Division. But only a wild kickoff return and a walk-off field goal in the season opener are keeping the Lions from a 4-0 start to the season.
“This is probably one of the most cohesive groups I’ve seen here in my tenure at Borah,” Borah coach JQ Kenyon said. “It just feels a little bit different this year than in years past. So I’m excited to see how far they can take this team.”
Borah quarterback Dylan Luekenga paced the Lions again, completing 21-of-31 passes for 243 yards and two TDs. Melendez hauled in six catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. And Mason Monteleone caught six passes for 41 yards and a score — a 3-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal.
OWYHEE STAT LEADERS
The Storm reverted to a two-quarterback system in the second half looking for a spark. Starter Nate Keith finished 5-for-16 for 63 yards with two interceptions. Cash Cahill came off the bench and went 5-for-14 for 86 yards with three interceptions.
Cahill set up Owyhee’s only touchdown with a scramble and a 43-yard pass to Antonio D’Orazio. Cade Walker then punched in a 4-yard touchdown run on the next play as part of an 11-carry, 37-yard night.
UP NEXT
Borah: Takes on rival Boise (3-1, 0-1) on Thursday at Dona Larsen Park.
Owyhee: Travels to Kuna (2-2, 1-0) on Friday night. The Kavemen just upset Mountain View 21-20.
This story was originally published September 20, 2024 at 11:59 PM.
