Noble High School Quarterback Cleared To Start After 'Noodling' Injury

You can almost hear the collective sigh of relief in Noble going into the first football Friday of the season.

Noble High School quarterback Dakota Boxwell will be starting under center after suffering an injury noodling that almost cost him his entire season.

Three months ago, he was noodling for catfish when a piece of rebar went through his thumb and severed a tendon.

"The thumb is a quarterback's achilles heel," says Boxwell. "The doctor told me I wouldn't be able to throw this year," adds the 17 year old, who has started at quarterback for NHS since his freshman year.

"I had some choice words," says Coach Steve Barrett, who has been Boxwell's coach his entire high school career. "I couldn't believe it."

Coach Barrett worked with Boxwell and also implemented a different offensive attack, with Boxwell playing running back and receiver.

Very encouraging news came this week when Doctors cleared Boxwell to play. Boxwell has tweeked his delivery, by holding the football differently, but says he'll be ready for the first game Friday.

"I just want to get back on the field, back in action," says Boxwell, who his an honor roll student with hopes of attending the Naval Academy next year.

Coach Barrett says Boxwell's medical clearance letter from doctors says he has no restrictions, except it does read "no noodling."