When Codi Boek makes the second cross-country trip of his life tomorrow, he will be headed toward all the uncertainty a new place holds.
Boek, who is transferring from American River (Calif.) Junior College, officially becomes a Boston College student two days after he arrives in town, in the heart of a gray Boston winter. For a California boy, that will be a challenge. Contending to succeed Matt Ryan as the Eagles' starting quarterback will be an even greater one.
But Boek, 19, has been tested before, by tougher opponents, and in situations more dire than fourth and long. After the last 10 months, in which Boek had to make more decisions about life than football, he feels he's ready for anything.
To understand the road Codi Boek has traveled, you have to go back to his childhood.
Nathan Boek's world revolved around his son, Codi. School, athletic events, practices, girlfriends - no subject was off limits for the single father who has had sole custody of his son since the boy was 3 years old.
People in the Sacramento suburb of Orangevale say the two were more like brothers than father and son. "My hero," says Codi of Nathan, the manager of a fencing company who had transferred his boyhood dreams as a quarterback-linebacker to his son, who, at 6 feet 3 1/2 inches and 225 pounds, is very much a quarterback.
Codi hadn't always looked like a quarterback. He had to play offensive line until eighth grade, when weight restrictions were finally dropped. But at Del Campo High School, Codi, blessed with a strong arm and better-than-average speed (4.6 seconds for the 40-yard dash), blossomed into an offensive threat and caught the attention of Idaho State personnel.
After redshirting in 2006, Codi seemed ready to challenge for the starting position vacated by Matt Gutierrez, who made it to the NFL as the Patriots' third-string QB.
"I had learned a lot from Matt," said Codi. "And . . . I was ready to learn as a team."
As winter gave way to spring, Nathan made the trip to Pocatello for the spring game to check up on his son, but the minute Codi saw him, he knew something was wrong.
"Back problems," said Nathan, who couldn't explain the ache that wouldn't go away. Codi watched as his usually robust father had trouble doing the simplest of tasks and slept only sporadically. After a few days, Nathan apologized. He had to go home.
When he stepped off the plane, a friend who met him at the airport took one look at Nathan and drove him to the emergency room, where tests revealed the worst possible news: A rapidly moving Stage 4 testicular cancer had spread to his spine and other organs, including his brain.
Nathan knew he had to do one thing: bring Codi home.
"My dad asked me if there was a way I could speed up my exams and get home a little early," said Codi, recounting the phone call and the emotional jolt he received when he heard the uncertainty in his father's voice. "It had been tough anyway because for 10 days, I didn't have all that much information. I was trying to find things out and getting different answers."
Nathan told Codi that the doctors were basically telling him to get his affairs in order; the prognosis was a matter of weeks.
Codi made his calls, talked to his professors and coaches, and went home.
"I packed up and drove 12 hours that day," said Codi. "It was the longest day of my life. It was always me and my dad my whole life. We are really close."
Changing priorities
When Codi arrived in Orangevale, he was forced to make more decisions. The plan to play major college football would have to be put on hold. He asked for his release from Idaho State and enrolled at American River JC, just a few minutes from his home. The main goal was to do whatever he could for Nathan, who was beginning painful chemotherapy sessions to prolong his life."It was really scary," said Codi. "He was in such bad shape, but his spirits were always up."
The son did all he could for the father. Codi shaved his head to match Nathan's. In the heat of a Sacramento Valley summer, when temperatures can reach triple digits, Nathan shivered under blankets. His son crawled in bed next to him.
The chemo started to work, ever so slowly. The tumors disappeared and Nathan's health started to improve. So did Codi's spirits. He formulated another master plan for his football career. He took an accelerated academic load at ARJC, which, coupled with credits from his freshman year at Idaho State, would allow him to receive a junior college degree six months early and enroll in a four-year college in January. He started focusing on football again - as much an escape from the harsh reality of cancer as it was a potential career choice - while he worked out with his friends, former teammates, and new teammates.
For 2 1/2 games last fall, it all seemed to work. Nathan was getting better, regaining some of his strength, and Codi was again aiming to play big-time college football.
But then Codi was dealt his own medical setback, though hardly life-threatening. In the second half against Cabrillo College Sept. 15, he broke his left arm.
"Just a freak accident," he said with a shrug. "I broke loose on a 30-yard run and was just scrambling."
Boek's season was over, but his dream wasn't. He put together a highlight package from high school and junior college and shipped it out to a variety of schools. Utah, Connecticut, and Grambling expressed interest. But BC recruiting coordinator Mike Siravo called Boek almost as soon as he finished watching the eight-minute tape, asking for more information, including full transcripts.
The Eagles seldom go the junior college or transfer route, but did so in 2003-04 with quarterback Paul Peterson. A JC transfer from Utah, Peterson had a decent two-year career with the Eagles, passing for 2,594 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2004.
"It only took a week for them to get back to me and set things up," said Boek, who was interested in BC because of its history of success, ties to a major Bowl Championship Series conference, and strong academic reputation. "Everything happened so quick."
On Halloween weekend - the day after Ryan engineered the Eagles' spectacular 14-10 come-from-behind victory over Virginia Tech - Codi made that first cross-country flight, with Nathan in the seat next to him, to visit The Heights.
By the end of the weekend, the deal was done. Codi was all but certain he was coming to BC.
"I didn't meet anyone on the team I didn't like," said Boek. "Everyone was so nice."
A dream fulfilled
After the lows of the last year, Boston College truly represents a new beginning for Codi and for Nathan, who says his cancer is in remission."I'm feeling good," said Nathan, who talks about the previous six months with wonder. And with Codi and Nathan's 12-year-old stepson, Daniel, he sees good things in the future.
"One day they were telling me to get my affairs in order and now I'm looking forward to what's going to happen with Codi," he said. "I'm so proud of him. He's my best friend. Going to Boston is a dream come true."
Codi says he has spent his rehab time getting his legs back in shape, earning his associate's degree, and making plans to come to Boston. He signed his letter of intent before Christmas.
He expects his father will be a frequent visitor to BC as next season approaches and Codi makes a run at the starting QB job.
"He's my hero," said the son, who is ready for anything the Eagles and Atlantic Coast Conference opponents might throw at him.
Mark Blaudschun can be reached at blaudschun@globe.com.
