As we entered the opposing team's field, we were loudly told by the home crowd we were not welcomed. By this time, I had learned to ignore the crowd, however it was always nicer to play in your house. We started the game well, scoring on our first possession to take a 7-0 lead. We held them defensively for their first three possessions, not allowing a first down. Late in the second quarter, our offense fumbled the ball on our own twenty one yard line. With less than two minutes to play, they were near our goal line. They moved down inside our three yard line, with less than thirty seconds to go in the half. As they came out of the huddle, I thought I recognized this formation from the game films. They usually ran some of a trap play to my side out of this formation. I decided to take an inside move, gambling that the play was designed to go between the guard and the tackle. As the ball was snapped the guard pulled from his gap, allowing me a clean shot at the running back. He saw me hit the hole, and side stepped to my right. I lunged for him, wrapping my arms around his leg as I fell to the grass. Just as I hit the ground, another player was blocked into me, causing me to lose my grip, freeing the runner. He bolted around the corner, scoring easily, tying the game. As I headed to the locker room, I was disgusted with myself, I should have made that tackle.
My Dad gave us his usual halftime pep talk, urging us to give a better effort in the second half. I don't think I heard a word of it, my mind was still on that missed tackle. Great players make great plays, and I just blew one. I was determined to make up for it in the second half.
The second half started much like the first, mistakes by both sides, squandering opportunities to score. We caught a break on a punt and pinned them deep in their own territory at the nine yard line. Our inside linebacker challenged us in the huddle to step up and turn this game around. We stopped two successive running plays for no gain, they were facing a third and ten. The defensive coach signaled in Twin Switch, Power Left Smash, one of my favorite plays. It basically meant, I would switch from lining up over the left tackle, moving to our left to face their right tackle. The right tackle was usually the slower of the two lineman giving me a really good chance at breaking through. In addition, the outside linebacker on my side would blitz inside, making the right tackle choose which of us he wanted to try and block. The play went off perfectly, I came off the ball a half step late as I was taught. The linebacker shot the gap drawing my man's attention. As he crossed to his left and picked up our backer, I accelerated around the corner. The quarterback never had a chance to look downfield. He covered up just as I slammed into him, shoulder first. I drove him back into the end zone causing him to fumble the ball, deep into the end zone. As I tried to quickly regain my feet, I saw one of our players fall on the ball, scoring a touchdown.
We jumped ahead 14-7 and never relinquished the lead. The game ended 28-7, we were now 4-0 on the year. As players were milling around on the field talking, some giving interviews, I looked for Courtney. I finally saw her up in the front row, in the left hand corner of the stadium. I ran over to her and looked up over the railing.
"Hey Brian. You were awesome tonight. Great hit in the end zone.", she said.
"Thanks Courtney, it was a good win for us.", I replied.
"You want to go to the party ?", she asked.
"Yea, I need to let off some steam. Can you wait till I shower and change ?", I replied.
"I sure can. I'll meet you in the parking lot.", she giggled.
I rushed into the locker room, grabbing my things, jumping into the shower. I quickly washed and got dressed, packing my equipment into my bags. I grabbed all my gear and headed to the office. My Dad and the other assistant coaches were milling around, reliving the game.
"Hey Dad. Can I borrow the truck?", I asked.
"Where are you going Brian.", he replied.
One thing about my Dad. You never got off easy with him. He wanted you to know he was always on top of things. He could give you that thousand yard stare, the one that let you know he was dead serious.
"I guess, I kind of have a date.", I laughed.
"Oh a date. Well guys, what do you think, has he earned a date tonight ?", he said, looking at the other coaches.
They all laughed as my Dad threw me his truck keys. He told me Ashley was just outside and he would catch a ride with her. He also told me to think responsibly, that one wrong decision could change my life. I quickly headed out of the door racing to the parking lot. As I came out of the stadium, I saw Ashley was talking to Courtney in the parking lot.
"Hey hotshot, great game. You were awesome as always.", Ashley grinned, kissing me on the cheek.
"Thanks Miss Thompson. Oh by the way, Dad said he needs a ride home. He gave me the keys to the truck.", I replied.
"Sure. You kids have a good time. Don't hurry home handsome, but do be safe and careful, both of you.", Ashley finished.
We walked over to my Dad's truck, I threw my gear in the back and drove off. The party was not far from my house, maybe ten blocks at the most. I recognized most of the people from school, although there were a few strangers who I knew did not go to school with us. We followed the crowd out to the back of the house, most were gathered around the large pool area. A few people had gotten into the pool, but most were just sitting or standing around talking. I noticed that a few were drinking, a couple of bottles of whiskey and vodka were on one of the patio tables. I had always been told that alcohol was strictly forbidden, especially for an athlete. We found a couple of chairs near the pool that were empty, so we settled in. People were running around the pool, laughing, cutting up, and having a great time. Courtney and I talked about various things, pausing every now and then to speak to whomever walked up to us. Mostly everyone was really in a good mood following the win, some were getting in too good of a mood. A small group of five girls and six guys were becoming increasingly rowdy, the liquor taking its effect. I looked at my watch, it was almost one in the morning.
"What time do you have to be home, Courtney ?", I asked.
"No time really, my parents trust me.", she replied, softly.