“Y’all gather around here. Today we’re going to make this interesting. We’re going to put the ball on the 3 yard line, and if the offense scores then the defense will have to sprint to the 50 yard line and back. If the defense holds the offense, they have to run the same. If the offense fumbles and the defense recovers, it’s one lap around the field.”
Kevin Goode was our All-State middle linebacker and defensive captain. He was six-four and weighed 210 pounds. He was particularly well suited for the position. He was fast, strong and had a nose for the ball.
“You wimps are running laps today!” Kevin yelled.
The whole defense was whooping it up. Our quarterback was ‘Magic’ Mike Wade. He got his nickname for being a wizard at running the option.
“Okay, guys, huddle up. The last time we ran this drill, we ran six laps. I don’t care what happens today, but we are not fumbling. Is that clear?”
We all nodded in agreement.
“Okay, Dawson, they’re going to try to kill you. I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Kevin loves to crush the new guy, and you’re it. Either we can keep the ball out of your hands, or we can see if you’re man enough for varsity. What’s it going to be?”
I didn’t hesitate; challenge my manhood and I would respond.
“Give me the ball!”
“All right, you heard him. Veer right on two.”
When we got to the line of scrimmage, I could see Kevin was prepared to blitz. Oh My God, he was huge. My adrenaline began to pump and I prepared to be creamed.
“Down. Set. Hut HUT!”
I exploded off the ball and hit the line of scrimmage and no Kevin. He had guessed wrong and blitzed to the left side. I walked into the end zone. Kevin went ballistic.
“God damn freshman just scored on us! Ladies, I am not happy. This isn’t happening again!”
Magic got in Kevin’s face.
“Shut your mouth and start running.”
When they got back, we huddled up again.
“We got lucky on that one. Are you ready to run it again?” he asked me.
“Yeah, I think he’s starting to piss me off.”
The whole huddle cracked up.
“You think? Veer right on two,” Magic chuckled.
Kevin wouldn’t take any chances this time. He had the strong safety prepared to blitz the left side and him on the right. We would meet in the hole this time.
“Down. Set. Hut HUT!”
I exploded into the line and tried to keep as low as possible. Kevin did his best imitation of a freight train and did the same. We hit head to head; I felt every vertebra in my neck and back slam together; and white-hot pain exploded through me. The impact caused my helmet to come flying out of the pile. The only thing that kept me from fumbling was that I landed on the ball.
Kevin staggered back and fell on his butt.
“Son of a Bitch, Dawson! You smacked the crap out of me! I’m glad you’re on our team. Boys, help him up.”
I was surprised when the defense fought over who would help me stand up. I thought it would be best if I just laid there for a while. I felt guys pull me up and I staggered to my feet. To my surprise, the defense had me surrounded and they were all slapping me on my back. I got my balance back and Kevin was in my face.
“Kevin, man, I never want to play against you again,” I said with as much sincerity as I could muster.
“I hear you, brother! You hit harder than anyone I’ve ever come up against.”
Coach Lambert decided that was as good as it would get today and sent us to the locker room. Magic and Luke waited for me. I was still a little worried I might be hurt. I was unsteady, so they each took a side and guided me to the locker room.
“I’ve never seen Kevin even talk to an offensive player before. He considers them his enemy,” Magic said with a big grin.
“My brother said you were tough. I would have fumbled like a little girl if I’d been hit that hard.” Luke said, and Magic nodded in agreement.
“Can I tell you guys a secret? I would have fumbled if I hadn’t fallen on the ball.”
They cracked up. They got me to the trainer who checked me out and pronounced that I would live. He suggested I go sit in the hydrotherapy whirlpool tub to soak. I decided I’d had enough of school for one day and sent a text to Beth to see if I could use their hot tub, and she agreed. I then sent a text to Tracy to see if she wanted to join me. She had just finished practice and met me out in front of the school where Beth was waiting.
I felt like an old man as I walked up to them.
“Rough day?” Beth asked.
“I think they tried to kill me. Kevin Goode actually tried to take my head off. I’m not sure they found my helmet, it flew so far.”
Both their eyes got big. They’d seen Kevin hit a running back.
I heard the squeal of tires as a classic Corvette came to a stop, and out jumped Bill Rogers. Tracy stiffened.
“Take Tracy inside and then go get help,” I told Beth.
Beth didn’t hesitate as she grabbed Tracy’s hand and dragged her inside the school. Bill went to follow, but I stepped in front of him. I tried to be casual.
“Hey, Bill, long time no see.”
“David, get the hell out of my way.”
“Sorry man, but she’s my girlfriend.”
Okay, we had never really put a label on it, and we hadn’t even gone on a date yet, but it felt right.
“What did you say?” Bill asked as he got a nasty look on his face. This was going south fast.
“I said Tracy Dole is my girlfriend.”
I was amazed that my voice didn’t squeak. The look he gave me left no doubt he didn’t agree with that statement. He started to get the crazy look in his eye that scared everyone. I suddenly realized Bill was no longer bigger than I was. He was probably five-nine and weighed about 150 pounds. If my neck and back weren’t messed up, I would’ve had a chance.
“The hell she is. I’m not done with that bitch. No one walks out on Bill Rogers.”
My dad had always told me that if you ever got into a fight, throw the first punch and don’t worry about fighting fair. I knew if this lasted more than a couple of punches, I was done. I could barely move. I could feel my neck and back stiffening as we stood there.
I’m not a fighter. The last fight I was in was in Little League when some jerk had tried to run Tami over when she covered second base. Bill was a completely different animal. His stock-in-trade was intimidation built upon a reputation for being a nasty fighter. Labor Day was still fresh in my mind. I needed to do something dramatic.
Bill squared himself and pulled his arm back to punch my lights out. I wouldn’t beat him to the punch and I wasn’t sure if it would have enough power to do any good, so I kicked him in the balls. I actually lifted him off the ground about four inches. I heard a girl scream, and in a flash, Tracy was there and looked as if she was going to kick his head off. As she pulled her foot back to punt his skull into next week, I grabbed her around the waist. Her momentum swung us around in a circle as she screamed profanities at Bill. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, Bill had passed out, so he never got Tracy’s full message.
About that time, Kevin and three of his defensive players pulled up and jumped out of his car. He took one look at Tracy and smiled.
“Honey, David put him down, and we’ll take it from here.”
Beth pulled up in her car and I guided Tracy to the back seat. She was crying now and relieved. I looked back at Kevin and nodded.
“Thanks, man. I appreciate this.”
“No worries, Dawson. We have your back anytime.”
By the time we got to Beth’s, Tracy was doing much better. She looked at me funny, but I was focused on getting into the hot tub because my back had really started to tighten up. I didn’t have my suit so I just threw on a pair of shorts. Mrs. A offered to make us dinner, so I sent a text to Dad to let him know where I was and that I’d be home later.