12. Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Tyler
A s we break for halftime, I wish I was going into the locker room with my team, but I have to stay out on the field because I was nominated for homecoming king. I should be in the locker room helping pump up my team to beat St. Christopher's. The game is closer than I thought it would be and I was able to tell coach some stuff I've been seeing that might help us. Having played for the Lions, I know some of their weaknesses and it looks like they haven't corrected them since I was kicked off the team and out of the school.
A couple of my teammates are out here with me, including Brian, having been nominated as well. At least we're in our uniforms. I feel for the guys who have to wear suits. This kind of thing is silly to me and I hope I don't win. The only thing that makes it better is the pride on my parents' faces as they join me out here.
"Don't expect me to call you 'Your Highness' if you win this thing," my dad jokes as we stand on the field waiting for all the all the names to be called.
This makes me laugh as I scan the crowd.
"Oh, Tom, don't be a spoil sport," my mom squeezes my hand. "You would make the best Homecoming King, Tyler."
A smile spreads across my face at my mom's sweetness. "Thanks, mom, but you know all I care about this year is getting a scholarship to play ball."
"And you will, Sport," my dad calls me his nickname for me. "You're too talented a player not to get one."
"Thanks, dad."
My parents are so supportive of my athletics, but were disappointed in how I handled the situation with Chad Childers, the QB for the Lions. I explained why I did what I did and while they were proud of me for standing up for the girl, they weren't proud of the beating I put on Chad, especially my mom. St. Christopher's is a prestigious school and I think she felt it made her look bad that her son was expelled. Of course, no one wants to hear why, they all assume the worst.
As we're standing there, listening to the remaining names of nominees being announced, somehow, my eyes fall on Sloane Warren in the stands. How is it that I was able to pick her out of this crowd? Of course, she's too far for me to see if she's looking at me, but I hope she is. I can't believe no one asked her to Homecoming. If I were going to be in town, I would have asked her right there in marine bio. She looked sad that she wasn't going, but acted like it was no big deal. A girl like her deserves better than that.
The last guy to be announced is Brian and I nod to my best friend as he smiles like a kid then waves to the crowd like he's already king. I chuckle as they announce the last girl, Amber Gates. She struts proudly in her red, white, and blue cheerleading uniform.
The announcer's voice booms over the stadium. "Ladies and gentlemen, your DHS Homecoming King is…" He pauses for effect. "Brian Applequist!" A cheer erupts and Brian looks as proud as a peacock as he is crowned. Good for him. I'm glad someone who wants this got it. "And, your DHS Homecoming Queen is…Lavonda Washington!" The crowd roars and I'm pleasantly surprised. I don't know Lavonda well, but she's smart, quiet, and if I'm being honest, a little nerdy. A few of the popular girls on the Homecoming Court look shocked, but quickly cover up their emotions and clap for Lavonda who looks genuinely surprised. I glance up at Sloane and see that she and her friends are on their feet clapping and hollering and my heart squeezes. Everyone loves an underdog.
***
After halftime, we dominate the game, but in the fourth quarter, it's gotten close again. This game has been a back and forth and it feels like whoever has the ball last is going to win. I can tell the Lions are getting tired, their offensive line isn't as quick as they were earlier in the game. Coach Harbin makes sure conditioning is a big part of our training and so far this season, it has helped us stay strong while our opponents have tired out. I've been able to put pressure on Chad, but I haven't gotten a sack yet. I'm hungry for a sack. It would feel good to tackle that guy out here on the field. I've caused him to have to throw the ball away a few times which is good, but I want that sack.
There are two minutes left in the game and the Lions are driving. I focus on Chad as we line up for the next play. I shift my focus to the Lions' snapper and as soon as he lifts the ball, I'm off. I break through the tired linemen and have a clear shot at Chad. I feel adrenaline coursing through my veins as I close in on him and see his eyes go wide. He throws the ball just before I can get to him and I know better than to follow through with the tackle. I pull up and turn to watch the play. Our safety, Andre Southerland flies in front of the receiver and snatches the ball out of the air as the Wildcats fans roar. I run toward the other side of the field to block for Andre, but he is ultimately tackled at the 47 yard line. My teammates and I celebrate Andre's interception as we jog to the sidelines.
"Nice job, Finlay, Dre." Coach pats Andre's shoulder pads, then mine, stopping me. "Great pressure. Way to hold up. Keep it up. You're rattling him. You'll get him." Coach pats my back releasing me to the sidelines where I grab a paper Gatorade cup and drink down the cool liquid. Coach knows I play hard and, of course, he knows all about my situation with Chad. He understands that I want this sack on Chad more than I would any other QB.
I sit on the bench and watch our offense put together a great drive while our defensive coordinator goes over our plays. The score is 20-24 with the Lions currently in the lead. When we're at the 21-yard line, our quarterback, Sam Nash, throws a tight spiral to Brian in the end zone. I stand up to see the play and Brian catches the ball in the back corner of the end zone. We erupt on the sideline as our fans go crazy in the stands. Our kicker, Adam, nails the point-after, right through the middle of the uprights. Nerves fill my stomach as I look at the clock which reads 1:17. There's still enough time for the Lions to score and we're only up by 3 points. If they get close enough, a field goal could tie the game. A touchdown wins it, so our defense has to give it all we've got.
Our special teams go out onto the field as our defensive coordinator tells us what to look out for and pumps us up for one last stand. The kick is returned ten yards and the Lions are at the 19-yard line. I put my helmet on, secure the strap, and jog out onto the field with my teammates. The Lions' O-line seem to have gotten an adrenaline boost because they're stronger than when they had the ball last and I'm getting blocked. I can't break off my blocks and am frustrated that I can't get to Chad. Even more frustrating, the Lions are putting a drive together and get two first downs.
On the first play of the next down, I'm practically tackled, but no flag is thrown. Frustration boils inside me. "Hey, Ref!" I holler at the closest referee. "They're holding all over the place. Sixty-six practically tackled me!"
"All right, forty-four. Line back up."
I don't know whether that means he's going to look out for it, or if he's just telling me to move along, but now I'm angry. On the next play, I'm able to get off my block, but it was a running play, opposite from where I am. "Look for the pass," I tell my teammates as we line back up for third down. There are thirty-two seconds on the clock. Still enough time for them to score.
Chad releases the ball quickly this time, so I have no shot at him, and it's a good pass. Andre is playing the receiver tight, but misjudges his jump and is unable to fend off the pass. The Lions have another first down and are close to field goal range now. Twenty-nine seconds on the clock.
I gather my team as the Lions are in their huddle. "We will not let them win this game. Play your positions and don't let anyone by you. I'm getting off these blocks and will get to Childers. I don't want to go into overtime."
As we line up, my former teammate, Jay Peterson sneers at me. "I told you at the start of this game, you won't get Chad. Not again."
"You're lucky the refs are blind," I holler back. "That's the only way you can stop me."
The Lions throw a quick screen pass to the sideline and gain five yards, stopping the clock at twenty-six seconds. They line up quickly and gain another two as their running back is chased out of bounds, stopping the clock at twenty-three seconds. They are definitely in field goal range now and only need three yards for a first down. As I survey the offense, I realize they are going to go for a pass play. I holler to my teammates. "Pass, pass!" Our coverage is tight and the receivers aren't open. Nineteen seconds. I break off my block and tear toward Chad. Fifteen seconds. His feet are dancing and he looks for a passing option. I see his eyes lock in and know he's found a target, even though I can't see what's happening behind me. Twelve seconds. Chad sees me coming his way and drops back. Three yards, then two more. I have him on the run. He hastily plants his feet and brings his right arm back. Eight seconds. Just before he releases the ball, I crash into him, slamming him to the ground.
"Ball, ball, ball!" I hear the shouts and jump up, looking for the ball. I see it bouncing behind where Chad fell and dive for it, capturing it in my arms, protecting it as if it were my child. The clock runs down and our sideline and stands go wild. I jump up and hold the ball high over my head as I run to the sideline, my team cheering me as I run. I hand the ball to Coach Harbin as my teammates encircle me with shouts of victory.