"Come on, everyone, let's start the new attack! We can do it!" Shoya encouraged. The fifteen-yard gain has already put the team close to the opponent's end zone, and the closer you get there, the more complicated it gets.
This time, the defenders reinforced the surveillance, and Shoya couldn't find the space to get through. At the same time, the pocket has been torn, and the opposing defenders are rolling toward him with their headlights complete.
"What should I do? Taking a risk? "No, I'm running!" After making his choice, he opened his legs and ran without thinking. There were few defenders to his left, which is more conducive to a sprint.
He suddenly sped up like a cheetah, catching the players off guard and opening a gap. The linebacker came to cover in time but was blocked by the offensive lineman. Shoya galloped for more than ten yards before sliding to the ground.
As a result, he could avoid the tackle of safety and middle linebacker. Seeing Shoya's two conclusive attacks, his teammates start celebrating with him.
"He handled it well, but I like that he took the time to slide instead of making contact. You can tell he's smart." Johnson said.
At that moment, all eyes were on him, and the boy, who was more than two meters tall with long hair, began to be seriously considered by the coaching staff.
"Guys, we're only at the last forty yards. Let's score a touchdown together!"
It was enough to boost the team, even if it was just a sentence. The goal in the end is the touchdown.
Shoya continued, "To keep a place in the main list, some will do everything possible. It's not just a confrontation between the starter and the practice squad. Some of you are playing your careers here, and we will score as it should be." Shoya said calmly.
Receiver Mustafa Copperfield, the one to receive the ball from, has a rage to win that pleases Shoya.
He is also the first to take action. He receives a screen pass from Shoya and uses his flexibility to break through along the touchline. Seeing this, how can they let it happen?
The cornerback and a linebacker surrounded him, but did not run away from contact. Even though he is smaller than Shoya, Adam is physically gifted and has been actively heading for the cornerback.
The cornerback moved in front of Adam to block the entrance. But it was precisely because he found himself in front of him that he was able to overthrow him as domination.
"Pretty"
"Seriously?"
In the audience, seeing Mustafa's dominance, everyone, including Shoya, applauded after gaining twelve yards and getting another first down.
"ATTACK!"
The pocket was torn, and he didn't have time to think and pinned himself to the ground.
"Young, I won't pity you." After wrapping up the sack, Chase came to Shiya and told him clearly.
"Well done, man," he replied, surprising the star of the defense, not accustomed to receiving that kind of compliment.
Because of the sack, the team lost about five yards, and the slightest hesitation from Shoya would be risky.
"We have no way out, the defense has tightened up, and we can't win without taking risks now. Adam, rush to the endzone and don't worry about anything. The pass is coming; I think we can do it!" Shoya said.
"READY! ATTACK! »
This time, Shoya starts to back off with two big steps as he moves into the pocket. His footwork already has a lot of work to do, but he has trained well since his draft, and his progress is visible.
Running back Morris was just a wrong move to get the defensive player's attention.
"Stop him quickly. He's going to run alone!" When linebacker Abraham saw the flaw, he rushed straight in. However, he noticed Shoya's intention to pass the ball too late and tried to intercept the ball without success.
Mustafa beat his defender and had space on the left flank, which Shoya saw. By the time he received the ball, the cornerback was in an awkward position, and with Mustafa leaning on him, he couldn't kick the ball either.
Shoya sent the ball where only Mustafa could catch it, and landed in the endzone. Touchdown!
At that moment, everyone except Shoya screamed. It happened suddenly, and it wasn't easy. For them, the touchdown is more satisfying than a win, and Shoya, even though he is calm, goes to congratulate his teammates.
He hugged the other players, the eleven people on the field, and stepped aside.
"Why did you leave so quickly? Rogers noticed Shoya in his corner and couldn't help but ask.
Shoya explained: "My position in the team is different from theirs. Their careers are at stake for some, and others want to prove themselves to become a starter or even to get into the main list. I'm already there, and depending on the current situation, it's likely that I'll play before the end of the season, depending on Gardner's form. »
Rogers didn't say anything but was surprised by the kid's maturity. He put his arm around Shoya's shoulders and said thoughtfully, "Your statement is correct. I believe you will discover that on the field, there is something greater than strength, something more than winning or losing."
Shoya, before this season, didn't lose much, so he struggled a bit with the current situation. He grew up around winning, but bringing the winning culture back to the NFL is complicated.
"Good performance, guys! Starting tomorrow, Shoya and Mustafa will participate in snaps with the starters." Johnson said. The biggest win was discovering a wide receiver from the driving squad, Mustafa Copperfield, and Shoya's good performance was praised.