[Dunphy House]
"If he wants to play with his friends, then let him play with his friends! You will not decide where my son will play!" shouted Mitchell, red with anger, at Jay.
In the Dunphy living room, a discussion that had started just minutes ago was quickly escalating in intensity.
Since it was Game Friday and this time they were playing an away game, the family had gathered at the Dunphy house to head to the visiting field together. As for Andrew, he wasn't with them because he would be traveling on the school buses with the rest of the team.
The argument was started by Jay, who told Mitchell that Andrew shouldn't be playing for a fifth-division high school given his athletic level.
The CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) divides the football system into 13 divisions, which represent varying levels of competition among schools.
The 1st division is the highest, where schools with the strongest programs and most well-prepared teams are found. As the divisions decrease, the competitiveness and overall level of the teams progressively drop.
Andrew's school is in the fifth division, an intermediate level that, while not lacking in talent, does not offer the same competitive intensity as the higher divisions.
Andrew chose to stay at this school as a personal challenge. His plan is to climb divisions year after year, eventually reaching the second or first division to win the state's most prestigious and significant championship. That is his primary goal.
Schools in the lower divisions have access to state championships within their own division. However, these state championships are limited to the division in which they compete.
Teams playing in the higher divisions, such as the first and second, have access to the most prestigious state championships, encompassing the top teams from across the state.
During his time in middle school, Andrew had been a star, achieving a pass of over 70 yards, winning two district championships, earning outstanding records, MVP awards, and more.
Because of this, several first and second-division high schools offered him a spot on their teams. However, he turned them down, and Mitchell and Cameron respected his decision.
But Jay didn't share the same perspective as Cameron and Mitchell. He thought Andrew was being immature and throwing his future away.
Jay couldn't understand why Andrew would reject the chance to join a higher-division school with more advanced football programs and the possibility of competing at the most prestigious state level.
Jay doubted Andrew's ability to carry the team on his shoulders and lead them to climb at least three divisions, especially since, in his opinion, the team lacked talent.
Not everyone had the talent Andrew possessed, and it wasn't just about the players. The coach, the sports program, the infrastructure—all these factors mattered too.
Even if Andrew's talent somehow managed to perform a miracle and take the team to the top, Jay believed it would be too late to truly compete in a significant state championship.
Colleges offering prestigious sports scholarships focused on first and second-division teams and their state championships.
After all, Andrew would only have one year to play at higher division levels—a limited time to adapt to an entirely new level of competition.
"Friends? We're talking about his damn future as a professional! He can't make decisions based on friendship," said Jay with exasperation.
Jay and Mitchell stood facing each other in the center of the living room. The others—Claire, Gloria, Cameron, Phil, Alex, and Manny—sat on the couches watching the argument, which seemed like it could go on for a long time.
As for Haley, she was in her room getting ready, and Luke was playing in his room—who knows with what.
"Professional? It's his first year of high school," Phil interjected, raising his hands in a conciliatory gesture. "Maybe we're putting too much pressure on him. This is the time for him to have fun, enjoy the game, and spend time with his friends."
"Dad, Phil's right. We should respect his decision," added Claire. Although she was competitive, they couldn't force Andrew to attend a different school. If he wanted to play with his childhood friends, so be it.
"Fun? Respect?" Jay repeated, glaring at them.
"Andrew isn't just any kid. He's always saying he's going to be a professional and win a Super Bowl! That's why I, as his grandfather, take it so seriously! How could I not, when he sets those goals for himself?" he added, and the room fell silent because the old grouch had a point.
As the argument in the living room dragged on, an unexpected voice broke the silence.
"Mom, do you think Miss Robbins will like this poem?" Manny asked, oblivious to the argument and uninterested in the family drama.
Manny had spent the last few minutes writing a poem at the coffee table.
Gloria, who had been examining her nails and was equally disinterested in the family drama—since she knew nothing about football and how it was organized—looked at her son with a warm smile.
"Let me hear it, mi amor," she said affectionately.
Manny cleared his throat, adopting a theatrical stance as he held the sheet of paper in front of him. With a solemn tone, he began to recite:
"The light of your class brightens my days,
Miss Robbins, you're pure inspiration,
A wise guide with a great heart.
Your teachings are a special gift,
Thank you for everything, my favorite teacher."
Gloria hugged him, moved. "It's beautiful, Manny! I'm sure Miss Robbins will love it."
"Miss Robbins? Your English teacher?" Jay asked, and Manny nodded. Jay sighed internally but said nothing. He'd already had a discussion with Gloria about this and decided it was best not to comment.
"Now then?" Jay said, returning to the main argument. "Is nobody going to say anything? I'm right. I'll talk to Andrew and make sure he transfers to another school at the end of the semester," he added, crossing his arms with the confidence of someone convinced they had already won the argument.
"Well, technically, grandpa has a point. Also, I have something else to add to this discussion. Andrew is always kind to everyone. Don't we all remember how he agreed to go out with that girl just so he wouldn't hurt her feelings?" Alex said with feigned innocence.
Everyone nodded, recalling the incident with Veronica, which was a well-known story in the family.
"What does that have to do with transferring schools?" Mitchell asked, frowning.
"It's obvious. It's probably the same reason he won't leave his fifth-division school. He doesn't want to seem like the kind of person who abandons his friends. Andrew is too kind," Alex replied, adding fuel to the fire, which was her goal.
Jay let out a huff and threw his hands in the air. "Aha! See? That's exactly what I'm saying. He's making immature decisions based on friendship and feelings, not on what's best for him."
"Maybe he wants to achieve something great with his current team," said Phil, siding with Mitchell and Cameron.
The argument continued, with Phil supporting Mitchell, Claire staying neutral—though she was slowly leaning more toward Jay's side.
Alex returned to her book, satisfied with what she had stirred up.
"Enough, everyone!" Cam shouted in a sharp tone, suddenly standing up from the couch.
Everyone fell silent and turned to look at Cameron.
"Jay, I take my son's future very seriously," said Cam, and Jay nodded slightly. He was aware of Cam's football past and understood the importance of these decisions.
"And Andrew takes his future even more seriously than we do. This isn't an immature decision or one made for friendship," Cam continued, taking a deep breath.
Everyone nodded in agreement. If anyone was serious about his football future, it was Andrew. He never missed his training, followed his nutrition plan, adhered to his daily routine, and displayed a discipline that proved how serious he was about becoming a professional.
"What do you mean? You said he didn't accept the other schools so he wouldn't abandon his friends," said Claire, narrowing her eyes and looking directly at Mitchell.
"Yes, we lied," admitted Mitchell, no longer hiding the truth.
"Alex was right. Andrew is kind to everyone," Cameron interjected, taking the lead. "Except when it comes to football."
"Exactly. If there's one thing where Andrew puts friendship second, it's football. He didn't stay at his school for his friends; he stayed because he wants a bigger challenge," Mitchell explained.
"A bigger challenge?" Claire repeated, raising an eyebrow.
"That's right," confirmed Cameron. "Andrew doesn't just want to join an established first or second division team. He wants to take a team in a lower division and turn it into something great. He wants to prove that he can lead them to success. That's the reason he gave us, but..."
"But if we'd told you that, what would you have thought?" Mitchell added, crossing his arms. "It would've sounded like he was being arrogant, like he thought he was the only one who could help that team move up divisions. And we didn't want everyone to see him that way."
The room fell silent again until Jay suddenly burst into laughter, breaking the tension.
Everyone stared at him, surprised, expecting some sarcastic remark. But instead, Jay shook his head, and a smile spread across his face.
"That's a much better reason than that friendship nonsense!" said Jay with a proud smile.
"It's not arrogance; it's ambition. And that's not a bad thing, especially in this sport."
"What?" asked Claire, confused. "Now you agree with him?"
"Of course I do. It shows he's different from the rest," replied Jay, shifting from anger to satisfaction.
"So, you're not going to insist that he switches schools?" Mitchell asked, still a bit skeptical.
"That hasn't changed. But I'll give him, at the very least, a year. A year to prove with actions what he's saying. I'll trust him... but if he doesn't manage to move up even one division in that time, then I'll be the first to tell him to find another team," Jay replied.
"It's good to reach an agreement. Although if that happens, I doubt you'll be able to change Andrew's mind—he's more stubborn than you can imagine when it comes to football," said Cam, and everyone laughed because it was true.
At that moment, Haley came rushing down the stairs, glanced toward the living room, and was surprised to see everyone there, deep in conversation.
"What are you all doing here?! Why didn't anyone tell me it was time?! You're going to make us late for the game!" Haley exclaimed, a bit flustered as she adjusted her bag and gave her makeup some final touches.
"Oh, Haley finished getting ready first. That's new," said Alex, looking up from her book. Usually, Claire had to rush Haley to finish getting ready so they wouldn't be late for the game.
"Let's go, let's go! Move it!" Cameron shouted, rushing toward the door when he noticed the time.
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