The sun was barely up when Jordan's phone buzzed on the nightstand. Bleary-eyed, he grabbed it, squinting at the screen. A group chat notification flashed: Riverside's Ryan Carter interviewed on local news. Claims Wildcats are "easy prey."
Jordan's heart thudded in his chest as he clicked the link. He rubbed his eyes, forcing himself awake. The clip was short, showing Carter in his signature maroon Riverside jersey, standing confidently with his arms crossed. He spoke with the same cocky assurance that had made him a legend at Riverside.
"Coldwater? We don't see them as a challenge. They'll try, but we're not worried. Wildcats? They're just another stepping stone on our way to state."
Jordan clenched his fists. He could already imagine what the hallways at school would be like after this interview aired. His teammates would be fired up, but beneath the excitement, they'd be nervous too. Ryan Carter was no joke, and now, he'd just thrown gasoline on the fire.
At school, the buzz around the game was louder than ever. Everywhere Jordan went, people were talking about Carter's interview. Some students laughed it off, others used it as fuel to hype up the game, but for Jordan, it was a constant reminder of the looming showdown.
During lunch, the football team gathered at their usual table. Chris plopped down beside Jordan, his face lit up with excitement. "Did you see Carter's interview? Bro, the guy's asking to get wrecked."
Jordan nodded, trying to mask his frustration. "Yeah, I saw it."
Across the table, Malik Davis, the team's intense defensive end, remained silent, his focus unbroken. He was scrolling through his phone, likely watching clips of Carter's games, analyzing every move.
"You think this changes anything?" Tony, one of the offensive linemen, asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Jordan shook his head. "Doesn't matter what Carter says. We focus on us. Let him talk. We'll see what happens on the field."
Malik finally spoke, his voice low but determined. "I'll make sure Carter feels every hit. He won't be talking so much after that."
Later that afternoon, practice was brutal. The team, already fired up by Carter's trash talk, pushed themselves harder than usual. The intensity on the field was palpable. Every drill, every sprint, every pass—it all felt like a prelude to Thursday night.
Coach McGill didn't let up either. His booming voice echoed across the field as he paced the sidelines, barking orders and encouraging the team to dig deeper. "You want to shut him up? You want to prove them wrong? Then show it in how you play!"
Jordan focused on his throws, determined to silence his own doubts. But it wasn't just Carter he was competing with. His father's voice played in the back of his mind, reminding him that this game was more than just another Thursday night under the lights. It was a defining moment.
As practice wrapped up, Jordan felt exhaustion settle in, but it was nothing compared to the weight pressing down on him. The Wildcats weren't just fighting for a win—they were fighting for their pride.