Junior Year Box Set

“Nonsense! If I had more events like this, I would never make a fool out of myself,” Governor Higgins said.

“I’m sure you had a speech planned. Why don’t you do it at halftime?” I asked.

“That’s a great idea. Would you like to go to dinner with me?”

“I have a ritual before each game: I go to the hospitality tent and eat; the Booster Club feeds us. Why don’t you join me there at six? I’ll introduce you to everyone,” I said.

◊◊◊

I went home and took a nap. I woke up when I was jabbed in the ribs and cracked open my eyes to see my mom standing over me.

“When were you going to tell me?” Mom asked.

My first thought was Mom had found out about the motocross. Then I realized it was about the governor.

“Did you want to go to dinner with us?” I asked.

“What do you think I should wear?”

“How about what you always wear to one of my games? A jersey and jeans. Heck, I bet the governor would like a jersey to wear to the game. I could give him the one I wore when I set the record and sign it for him. I think it’s in my locker at school.”

That seemed to settle Mom down. She left me to get ready.

◊◊◊

When we got to school, I told my parents I’d meet them at the tent. I found the jersey I’d worn, signed it and put the record and the date on it. When I got to the tent, the governor had already arrived. He was surrounded by reporters, and I smiled when they didn’t even notice me come in. Most of the team was already eating. My eyes lit up when I saw they were serving Philly cheesesteaks.

When the governor’s session with the press was wrapping up, I stepped forward with my mom and dad at my side.

“Governor, I think you know my parents.”

I gave him the jersey, and he did wear it. I took him around and introduced him to all the players and Booster Club people, then introduced him to most of the college recruiters. The governor was pretty funny when he ordered the state police to arrest all the out-of-state ones.

I finally had to rush to eat a cheesesteak sandwich. I thanked all the cooks and went to the locker room to get ready. My dad was asked to act as the governor’s escort when I left. I was sure he knew what to do since Grandpa had been in politics all his life.

◊◊◊

As we came out for the game, the marching band began to play the school song. I led the team onto the field, and the cowbells commenced their clanging. Coach had given up on giving me two other team captains each week. He just announced that everyone knew who the captain was and was done with it.

I sauntered out to midfield for the coin toss and smiled when six Eastside players trotted out. The cheerleaders had coordinated with the band to modify the ‘Our House’ chant. They slowed it down, and in between the words, they added drums, two long and three short beats. Of course, everyone on their feet stomped. The Eastside players were a little taken aback when the chant began. Our fans were in full voice even before the kickoff.

“Eastside, you’re the visitor. Call the coin in the air,” the referee said.

“Heads!”

“It is heads.”

“Let us play offense first,” I begged.

I was just messing with them because the smart play for Eastside was to do just that. I snickered when the guy who was supposed to tell the ref what they wanted had to turn to his coach.

“We will defer,” he finally said.

“Give us the ball!” I shouted and pumped my fist in the air.

The crowd erupted like we had just scored. This was going to be a fun game.

On the kickoff, Ty read his blocks perfectly and busted a long run to start us on Eastside’s 33 yard line. We came out to the huddle, and Trent didn’t look well.

“You okay, man?” Wolf asked.

Trent puked in the huddle. I slapped him in the back.

“Suck it up, Rock Star,” I teased, and moved the huddle over a couple of feet.

“Razzle Dazzle on two,” I called out because Trent was just trying to hold it together.

I lined up at Wolf’s wideout position and grinned at the kid across from me.

“I’m getting the ball,” I told him.

“Watch Dawson! Watch Dawson!” he yelled to get his teammates’ attention.

“Down!” Trent croaked out.

I went into motion towards the center of the field.

“Set! Hut, Hut!”

I timed it so I was almost to Trent when the football was snapped. I ran behind him, and he handed me the ball. I had the full attention of the Eastside defense as they began to pursue me hard. I sprinted to run the jet sweep, or that was what it was supposed to look like. When I got outside the tackle, I stopped and set up to pass. All our receivers were bunched up on my side of the field.

All but one. Trent had run his usual fake and was running free down the far sideline I had started on. I lobbed a soft pass that he could easily catch and did a little dance when he caught it. The turf monster almost got him as he stumbled, but he gathered himself and sprinted into the end zone.

“Give me some cowbells, Baby!” Wolf yelled.