School and football practice dominated my week and left little time for anything else. Practice was intense since we knew the upcoming game was to get into the state championship game. It was the talk of the school and the eyes of the town were on us. We had moved into the number three spot in the state rankings so we were to face the number two seeded team. They were a well balanced team on both sides of the ball so we knew we couldn't take them lightly. We practiced hard each day until Friday night rolled around.
We left the school about a half an hour before we normally got out. We climbed aboard two charter buses and headed north towards Pensacola for the game. We checked into the hotel and got settled before we got back on the bus and headed to the school.
We ate lightly before sitting around the locker room and relaxing before the upcoming battle. The locker room was filled with light chatter as we sat around and shot the shit for a while. Once the game grew closer coach gave his motivational speech about tonight and how this might be the last game for the seniors. He wanted us to play our hearts out and leave everything out there on the field. He was very proud of us for making it this far.
Shane did his thing and got us pumped up before we took the field. The home side was packed as I headed out onto the strange field. Our side had a few fans that traveled this far north to watch us but it was nothing like last week. I started throwing with Jordan to get loose. We didn't have a whole lot to say to each other tonight. We were focused on what we needed to get done.
We passed for a few minutes before I decided I had had enough. I worked my way to midfield to say a few words to my mom before I went to the bench to clear my mind like I always did. I sat there in silence for a few minutes before Jamie leaned over the bench and broke my thoughts.
"Are you nervous?"
"Yeah," I said honestly.
"Don't be," she smiled. "You've got this. I'm cheering for you."
"I know," I said. "I've always got that working for me."
"Your friend is back too," she said.
I glanced up and saw the Texas guy there. I also saw the State guy sitting a few away from him.
"Guess I have to play well tonight don't I?"
"You always play well," she offered. "Good luck."
She gave me a simple kiss to my cheek before she turned and walked away. It felt strange to only get a kiss on the cheek from her. I watched her legs as she walked away to get a drink. I turned away as she bent over and grabbed it off the ground. I had to focus on the game and not on wanting her.
We lost the toss tonight so I had to sit there and let the defense take the field first. They played slow to start the game and gave up a couple of big plays before they figured it out and slowed them down. They ended up holding them to a field goal.
Mack took the kick off and headed straight up the field. He broke back to the left and found a huge hole. After he broke the kicker down he was in a foot race to the end zone. He got dragged down at the two and was denied the score.
"HB left slam Owen," coach called. "Let's get Mack that touchdown he deserves."
"You got it coach," I said.
I went to the huddle and called the play. I handed the ball off to Mack and watched him slam into the line and push his way through after Bobby bounced around and ran up Mack's back to push him through.
We kicked off again and stopped them relatively quickly. They moved the ball before stalling and having to punt. We got the ball back and tried to get something going. We went a few plays before stalling and had to punt. That was pretty much the way the first half went. Both teams would drive for a little while then stall and have to punt. We managed a field goal after Mack returned a punt a good ways before the punter grabbed him. We went into the half leading ten to three.
Mack took the second half kickoff and brought it out to midfield. We ran him up the middle on the next play and only got a few. Then we ran him left and got another few. We needed four now for the first down. Coach gave me the call as I went to the huddle and gave it.
"Zebra, drive slant, two count," I said. "Mack, stay home then slip out."
We broke the huddle and headed to the line. Wade and Jordan were both on the same side of the field. I took the snap and dropped back. Wade drove hard down the field as Jordan drug under the play and was open for the slant. I planted my foot and threw. Bobby rolled between my legs and knocked me over as Jordan caught the ball and fought for as much as he could.
"Fuck," I called as I hit the turf and pulled my foot from under Bobby.
He rolled over and climbed to his feet. He turned and pulled me up.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck," I gasped and hobbled around on my feet.
"What's wrong Owen?" Bobby questioned.
"Fuck," I groaned. "You just rolled my ankle. Dammit, that fucking hurts."
The pain was sharp and intense as I tried to walk it off. Bobby had twisted my ankle as he rolled between my legs. I knew it wasn't going to just be walked off. I would have to head to the sidelines and get taped up. I wasn't going to leave the game at this point. We were getting something going so I just tried to ignore the pain and grit it out.
I turned to the sideline to get another call. Coach's face was concerned as he looked at me and talked to me.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah," I grunted. "I'm good. Just tickles a little. What's the call?"
"You don't look good," he pressed.
"I'm good, let's go. Give me a play." I waved my hands around to tell him to hurry up. He looked at his play sheet and called in the play as I knelt down and started relaying the call to the guys.
"HB slam right," I said. "Check that. HB sweep right. Bobby, pull hard and find a guy. On two."
"Yes sir," Bobby said.
I grunted hard as I climbed to my feet.
"You ok Owen?" Jordan asked.
"Fine," I grunted. "Let's go."
I limped to the line and went under center. I took the snap on two and turned hard to my right to stick the ball way out there. The pain shot through my ankle as I stepped down and reached. I managed to get the ball into Mack's arms before I rolled to the turf and sat there watching the play.
Mack ran hard right and hid behind Bobby. He threw one hell of a block and let Mack slip through the hole. He went up the field before turning back to the left and headed across the field now. He shed one last guy and sprinted home to the end zone. I got to my feet and limped off as Shane ran out there to give me a hand.
"What the hell happened?" coach asked.
"My ankle got rolled when Bobby hit me."
"Ah shit," he huffed. "Where the hell is the trainer at? Get him over here and get that thing taped up tight before it swells."
I limped over to the bench and pulled my shoe off. It was already starting to swell up as the trainer started wrapping it up tight. It took some of the pain away as he finished and I put my shoe back on. I spent a minute or two testing it on the sideline. It wasn't the best but I could at least move.
Meanwhile, we had kicked off and they were working their way down the field. They were stopped shortly after they made it to the forty. They punted the ball away from Mack this time to avoid him getting it. I did my best to hide my pain as I trotted out on the field again.
We ran the ball three plays in a row before coach wanted a pass. I made the call then checked off to Jordan once I saw the back angling him to the outside. He turned hard inside then hand battled him back to the outside. I planted my feet and threw a pass. It hurt to plant and throw but I made it work. It went over Jordan's outside shoulder where he caught it and was brought down for a twenty yard gain.
Coach was standing there looking at me wondering if I was ok. I gave him the thumbs up as I got the next call.
"HB slam left," I called. "Check that. HB sweep right. Bobby?"
"I know," he smiled. "Find somebody to hit."
I handed the ball off to Mack. He followed behind Bobby until he found a hole. He turned up the field and was gone in a flash.
"You like that damn sweep play don't you Owen?" coach asked.
"It's worked twice now," I smiled.
