Junior Year Box Set

Before dinner started, the coaching staff and the Booster Club presented awards. They handed out letters to those who’d earned them. The people who already had letters were each given a pin in the shape of a football to add to their jacket. I would add it to my two other football pins and my baseball one. The cheerleaders also got their letters and/or pins. Alan received a letter, and his pin was in the shape of a football coach’s whistle. His expression showed that it meant a lot to him.

The coaches then announced the All-Conference and All-State selections. I was saved for last.

“David, could you please come onto the stage?” Coach Hope said.

Mrs. Sullivan was standing beside him. I joined them on stage.

“David Dawson has been a busy young man. This summer he was named Co-MVP of Elite 11, an invitation-only competition among the best quarterbacks in the nation. That reinforced his hold on the top spot as the top quarterback prospect in the junior class if not the entire country. He currently has forty-two scholarship offers from many of the top programs in college football.

“David was named Player of the Year for both our conference and State. I was just notified that he has been selected as the Gatorade State Football Player of the Year. Lincoln High has the honor of being the first high school in the state to have back-to-back winners. Bill Callaway won last year and is now starting at wide receiver for USC.

“I was also contacted by Rivals and have been told that David has been named first-team Junior All American,” Coach Hope said.

Mr. Sullivan walked out on stage with a framed poster that showed me in warm-ups before a game, without my helmet on, dropping back to pass. It was from Rivals and proclaimed me an All-American. Jeff’s photographer took several pictures with me, the poster, Coach Hope, and Mrs. Sullivan for the paper.

“Great job, David!” Coach Hope said and hugged me.

“I would now like to present Lincoln High’s own, David Dawson,” Mrs. Sullivan said into the mic.

I didn’t know I was supposed to give a speech. My friends and teammates enjoyed my discomfort. I was usually okay in front of a crowd. Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself.

“This is a surprise. I realize I come across as corny when I say that I couldn’t do all this without your help. Most of you know how much I put into this. I’m up almost every morning running, seek out specialized training, and go to the best football camps I can find. I personally dedicated myself to be the best I could be. This summer, I worked with a team of players and my friend Alan Douglas to help make Lincoln High the next state champion. Then, when football started this fall, we all came together. All our hard work has gotten us to this point.

“It’s moments like this that you start to realize what football really means. I play the game because I love it. I like the physical contact, the strategy, and the thrill of a big play. While all that’s fun, what I’ll take away is the friendships I’ve developed with each and every one of you. We’ve bonded under some trying times. I’ve watched each of you, and us as a team, rise to meet challenges I wasn’t sure we were capable of meeting.

“Sometimes, you just have to be a hero. I’ve watched that happen time and again. Being a hero isn’t always recognized, like the heroic block Johan put on a nose tackle to spring Ty for a touchdown. Then there are situations when you’re simply in the right place at the right time like Yuri was when he was handed the ball in the Nazareth game. I guess what I’m saying is, without football, none of us could be a hero or more importantly, a teammate.

“We’ve had the opportunity to create lifelong memories, and I’ve just been lucky enough to be recognized for something I love. We’re not done, though, are we? I want us to create one more memory this year. I want to hold up the trophy that proclaims us this year’s State Champions,” I said, and everyone seemed to agree.

Like last year, Mrs. Sullivan announced the Booster Club’s plans for facility improvements.

We then ate dinner, followed by some dancing. I didn’t leave the dance floor once the music started. I had a great time and looked forward to the big game tomorrow.

◊◊◊ Saturday November 28

When I got up, I went for a short run just to get the blood flowing. I was without my Bo staff this morning because I’d shipped it to LA. I really didn’t see a way I could take it on the plane. After I ate breakfast, I sorted through the clothes that Halle had picked out for me, and was happy with her choices. I guess she wanted to show me off to her friends back home.

Halle had told me that Fritz had gone back to LA on Friday so he could make sure their California homes were ready. That’s right, I said ‘homes.’ They had one in the hills that was supposed to have views of LA, and another one on the beach. Trip planned to stay at the beach house, while I was to stay with Rita and Halle in what they called the ‘big house.’