Junior Year Box Set

I guess I was a good-enough actor because he didn’t seem mad anymore. I told him what I’d seen. Of course, I probably should’ve done that to begin with, but then I wouldn’t have gotten to play defense.

On the third play of Central’s next series, Yuri punched the ball loose, and Brock landed on it. Three plays later I hit a streaking Roc for the score. In under four minutes, we were up 14–0.

Central’s game plan was to run the ball, control the clock, and then play hard-hitting defense. They hoped to frustrate us and get us in a three-and-out. I had to give them credit because even down by two scores, they stuck with their running game. This time they’d driven to our 34 yard line before Jake was able to separate the ball from their running back.

We ran a simple dive play for Ty, and he showed why I was so excited that he had transferred from Washington to play here. Johan had his hands full with their squat nose tackle, but this time he got some leverage. Johan was able to move him to the side enough for Ty to find a hole. Bryan fired off the ball and got into the legs of his linebacker to slow him down. Ty was at full speed when he slipped through the gap the two linemen had created. Then he must have mashed all the controller buttons on his game console. Ty made this spin move where he juked one way and then spun the other that had their safety completely turned around as Ty jetted by him. The first quarter ended with us up 21–0.

The game then settled into a defensive battle when it began to snow in earnest. By the end of the half, we were almost ice-skating, because the wet ground began to freeze as the temperature dropped.

When we came out for the second half, Central lined up for the kickoff. The wind blew the ball off the kicking tee, and a gust of wind caused the ball to stand up on end and spin like a top. I personally had hated the cold ever since I’d been trapped in that basement when the avalanche happened. Everyone was wet, cold, and miserable.

With the wind, the passing game went out the window. We adopted Central’s strategy and just slowly worked the ball down the field with short to medium gains. Coach Diamond had us use up all of the clock for each play. We ate up nearly eight minutes before we had to punt. Both teams traded punts the rest of the game. I was never happier for a game to end than I was that one.

The good news was I was never touched all game, so I felt great. I felt even better after a hot shower. Before we left, Coach Hope had us gather around.

“I just got word. We’re playing Unity for the State Championship next week.”

Unity was the result of several high schools being combined downstate. I’d heard rumblings that they had a good team this year. I don’t believe anyone expected them to be this good. Everyone was fired up to be returning to the State Championship game. We were one game away from fulfilling the dream to repeat.

Coach Hope made some vague threats about what would happen if we lost focus on the ultimate prize and celebrated too soon. I don’t expect any of us wanted to be out in this weather. I knew Mom had put on a Crock-Pot of chili with my name on it, so I was more than happy to go home and keep warm.

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Chapter 11 – Don’t Forget About Me Sunday November 22

My wild child loved the snow. Duke was a one-year-old now and still acted like a puppy. He figured out there was ice on the driveway and would run full out, with snow flying all around him, and then slide. I admit it looked like fun, so I had to try it. Precious hated the white, wet, cold stuff. She had taken one look at Duke and me playing and turned around and went back home. Of course, Duke spotted her and had to roll her. The yowl had us both running for the back door.

We crashed into the mudroom.

“Dry him off and take off your shoes,” Mom hollered from the kitchen.

There was an old towel we kept there just for such emergencies. Duke loved to be dried. It was like he was being petted all over, and Labs love attention. He followed up being dried off with going to the kitchen and getting his love from Mom and Dad. Caryn must have still been asleep.

Mom had bought doughnuts, and I saw that Dad had all the Bavarian cream ones on his plate.

“Mom, make Dad share,” I complained.

He just gave me a smug look when she ignored me. I swear he’s three years old sometimes. He licked both of them.

“I’ll remember that,” I threatened him.

“David, you be nice,” Mom warned me.

My cell phone rang to save my dad. Caller ID said it was Zoe. She invited me to go to church with her and then to lunch at the farm. Mom was a little too eager to let me go. I suspected she planned to skip church today.

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