Coldwater's first possession was shaky. The offensive line struggled against Riverside's aggressive pass rush, and Jordan was forced to scramble on almost every play. The Raiders' defense was relentless, and before Jordan knew it, they were facing a third-and-long situation.
The play call came in: a deep pass to Chris. Jordan stepped back into the pocket, his eyes scanning the field. Chris broke free of his coverage, but as Jordan released the ball, a defender came crashing through the line, hitting him just as he threw.
The ball wobbled in the air, hanging like a wounded bird. Chris leaped for it, but the pass fell short, bouncing harmlessly to the ground.
Fourth down.
The Wildcats punted, and Jordan jogged back to the sideline, frustration boiling in his chest. The game wasn't going how he'd imagined. Riverside was in control, and Jordan could feel the pressure mounting.