The season started with a huge game against our cross town rivals Westwood High. They were predominately a passing team, their quarterback a three year starter, now being recruited by several colleges. The game was pivotal, a loss this early, would be devastating to our playoff hopes. This would be my first game as a starter, I had been waiting for this for three years. By the time I took the field for the first time that night, I was oblivious to everything and everyone around me. I had one goal for the night, to make the superstar's evening a living hell. It took just three plays for me to introduce myself to their elite quarterback. It was third and eleven, a sure passing down. I rushed a straight on bull rush and overpowered the left tackle, moving quickly around his left shoulder. As I cleared his body, I had a clean shot at the quarterback as he stepped up in the pocket to throw. He never saw me, he never heard me. I hit him in full stride, wrapping my arms around his back, driving him to the ground. I never saw it but I heard someone screaming the ball was loose. When I got up and looked over my shoulder, we had recovered a fumble. The roar of the crowd was deafening, I was being slapped in the helmet by my teammates.
Four quarters later we had a 21-7 victory, we were off on the right foot. I had a decent game finishing with eight tackles and two sacks, one causing a fumble. The newspaper was very kind to me the next morning, calling me the anchor of a very stellar defense. I stayed at home all that Sunday, soaking my sore, stiff body in the tub. The next morning at school, morale was high after the big win on Friday night.
Even Ashley gave me recognition before class that morning, the class applauding loudly. Courtney turned during the applause and told me what a great game I played, that she enjoyed watching me play. I thanked her and class resumed.
We won our next two games by large margins, the teams were not even in our class. I continued to add up huge numbers in both tackles and sacks, in fact as the papers were saying, it was my defense. We were preparing for our fourth game of the season, when one night at dinner, Ashley addressed me.
"Brian, I am really impressed with your play so far. If you continue to play this well and your grades remain as they are, you will get several good offers for college.", she stated, "Any idea where you would like to go ?"
"Not really, Miss Thompson, I want to wait and see who offers what.", I replied.
By now she knew better than to object to me not calling her Ashley or Ash. It had been months now, she was still Miss Thompson to me. She smiled every time I called her by her formal name.
"That makes sense to me. By the way, I know someone else who is quite impressed with you at school. In fact, she kind of hinted that she wishes you would ask her out.", Ashley stated.
"One of the girls in school told you they wanted me to ask them for a date ?"I asked, quite puzzled.
"Yep", she quickly replied, winking at my Dad, "I guess they figure I have some stroke in this family."
My Dad burst out laughing, calling Ashley an evil female who was looking out for one of her own. She smiled that beautiful smile back at him, the one that could melt an iceberg. He quickly turned to me informing me that I was on my own, and once again laughed out loud.
"So Brian, are you interested in a date ?"she asked, smiling.
"It depends on who it's with", I responded.
"Well she is very cute, very smart and I know she likes you.", Ashley told me, "And she sits very close to you in my class."
"Courtney ?", I quickly asked.
"You got it big boy."Ashley giggled.
I sat there for a while looking at Ashley, trying to figure out if she was telling the truth. From the look on her face she appeared to be very sincere. She went on to tell me, Courtney had confided in her after class one day after everyone had left the room. She had asked Ashley if I was dating anyone. She said several of the girls in school were wondering, as they never saw me out at any of the local hot spots. Ashley told her no, that she had never known me to date anyone, my mind was only on athletics. It was apparent to Ashley that Courtney, or possibly someone Courtney was close to had interests in my social life.
I thought about it most of the week, but my mind as always was on the upcoming game that Friday night. Once again we were playing a local school that was highly regarded, a certain playoff contender. As always, it was another must win game. I was sitting in history class that morning listening to Ashley talk about Napoleon but my mind was miles away, thinking about tonight's game. Even the short skirt Ashley was wearing had no effect on my concentration, although it was killing most of the other boys in the room. As class ended, I was gathering my books, placing them in my backpack when Courtney turned to me.
"Hey Brian, what are you doing tonight, after the game.", she asked quietly.
"Nothing, just going home.", I replied.
"Well, a friend of mine is having a party at her house, um ... .if you want to….I mean...would you like to come ?", she stuttered nervously.
"Oh, I don't know Courtney, I'm not much of a party guy.", I said quietly.
"Yea, I kind of figured that, it's ok, no big deal. Just thought I would ask.", she replied.
She appeared to be somewhat disappointed, as she turned to walk away. I thought quickly, maybe she is asking for herself and not a friend as Ashley had suggested. I reached out and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Hey Courtney, are you going to the game tonight ?", I asked.
"Of course, the whole school is going to be silly there.", she giggled.
"Ok, then. Let's see what happens, I will find you after the game ok ?", I asked.
"That would be great.", she quickly replied.