Junior Year Box Set

“You will identify who you are and what organization you represent before you ask your question. If we’re ready?” Tracy asked, and the cameramen all nodded, and a couple of reporters rushed up and put their cell phones on the table in front of us to record the interview. Once that was done, Tracy continued.

“We have Coach Anthony Hope. Coach Hope is in his second year at Lincoln High. He led us to our first State Championship last year. Also on stage is David Dawson. David is a three-year starter at Lincoln High. He was named Co-MVP at Elite 11 this last summer. He is the first junior to ever make the finals of that competition, which is designed to discover who is the best high school quarterback in the nation. David is currently rated as the number 1 quarterback and player in the junior class. As of this morning, he has received 28 offers, including such schools as Kentucky, Ohio State, Alabama, Stanford, Michigan State, and Oregon. Last Friday night he set the national record for passing yardage in a game with 848 yards. David is also a model and actor. His first movie, Star Academy, will be released at Christmastime. The first question goes to Jeff Delahey,” Tracy said, and then sat down.

The press conference was much as I expected. It made me glad when Coach Hope was asked some questions. He did well at handling the usual ones like ‘What’s it like to have David as your quarterback?’ and turning them into an answer that complimented the whole team. Tracy must have worked with him, like she had me, on how to turn any question into a point you wanted to get out there.

Tracy had done her homework and made sure the local press and TV stations got to go first. Then the national press and TV got their turn, followed by the big markets, then the recruiting services, and then everyone else. Tracy actually kicked out ESPN two-thirds of the way through, when their reporter decided he needed to do a follow-up question when it was someone else’s turn. The reporters roared with laughter when she did it. The ESPN guy was classy about it and left the room. I made a point to meet with him before practice and answer his question. He apologized to Tracy, which made him go up a couple of notches in my book. I think he wanted to be able to ask questions in the future.

Towards the end, one of the Internet guys surprised me with a bunch of football-related detail questions, like how I picked up reads. It was evident we had a bunch of football junkies in the room as we began an extended discussion about the technical aspects of the game. I was thankful I’d gone to all those camps and listened to Bo Harrington and Bud Mason. Coach Hope just shook his head when we were done.

When I came out, Brandon and Jeff were waiting for me.

“How’d I do?” I asked.

“Thank you for not using the page of notes Tracy gave you,” Jeff said. “You’re getting better. By the time you hit the pros, you’ll be an expert.”

“So, what were you two whispering about?”

“There’s been more fallout from Washington. Their head coach and several of their assistants have been suspended because the HSAA found recruiting violations. Three of the players have also been suspended. Two have been given the opportunity to move elsewhere. The brother-in-law that had picked the All-Conference team has been fired. We might actually get a legitimate All-Conference team this year,” Jeff told me.

“Where are the two players going?” I asked.

Both Brandon and Jeff got big smiles.

“Wesleyan,” Brandon said. “And they’ll be eligible to play as soon as they register, which was today.”

“Teddy Wesleyan told me he’d build a football program. What he really needs is a quarterback,” I said.

I had a funny feeling that the other three would get their records cleaned up and find their way to Wesleyan too.

◊◊◊

Practice was fun. Coach Hope allowed any player to challenge for a starter’s position. I raised my hand first.

“Oh, Oh, Oh, Me, Coach!” I said, jumping up and down.

Everyone laughed at the look all the coaches gave me, even Alan.

“This I have to hear,” Coach Hope said. “But, before you get too excited, you will not be allowed to play special teams or defense.”

My face dropped, which made everyone laugh again. Then inspiration hit, and everyone laughed even harder when my face brightened. ALL the coaches suddenly looked nervous.

“I challenge Wolf Tam!” I announced.

“Don’t involve me in your devious plots. Pick on someone else,” Wolf complained. “Why not challenge Roc? Or better yet, Jim?”

I think Roc peed himself. Jim just gave me a ‘bring it on’ look that I decided I didn’t want to deal with.

“Nope, I challenge Wolf,” I said with confidence.

Poor Trent turned white when he realized that if I played Wolf’s position, he would have to play quarterback. Coach wasn’t completely crazy. He’d only promised the first play.