CHAPTER 10

We started school anxiously the following week, our first game was Friday night here in town. It was always a standing room only event here, football was definitely king. The school was decorated all that week by the Spirit Squad and Cheerleaders, morale was definitely high.

The week seemed to pass quickly and once again I was sitting on the trainer's table getting taped up for what was my last season here. I was ready to go at least an hour before the game. I found a quiet corner of the locker and sat down on the floor, I didn't want to talk to anyone. I needed to focus myself on where I needed to be mentally. I needed to bring the aggression out, it was time to put away manners and niceties.

We hit the field fifteen minutes before kickoff and began to warm up across from Westwood High, who as last year, was our opening night opponent. They were loaded with seniors and figured to give us a run for the district title. Both teams knew what was at stake in this one. If you lost and your opponent won out, there was no way you would get to the playoffs.

We kicked off first, they started their first drive on their forty yard line. As we broke the huddle, I saw my opponent for the first time. He was maybe six foot tall and two hundred fifty pounds. As I got down on his outside shoulder, I looked up into his eyes. He had that deer in the headlights look, he knew he was going to be in for a long night. One the first play they had a power toss left play set up, where the tight end came in motion to my side and both he and the left tackle tried to pin me and run outside. I think I was past the tackle before he could get out of his stance. The tight end tried to slide over and chip me but I simply pushed him backwards into the running back and blew up the play for a seven yard loss. There was absolutely no way this guy was going to handle me tonight.

By the end of the first half we had a 13 - 0 lead, They only got one first down in the first half. I had eight tackles and a pass block in two quarters. By the end of the quarter, they were lining up a tight end next to the left tackle to try and block me. We made our halftime adjustments and headed back out onto the field. Before we went out on defense for the first time, Coach Mike told me he would be moving me back and forth between the right and left end for the rest of the game. That way they could not scheme to run away from me or double me on the line. It worked perfectly, they were completely out of sync in the second half. We scored three more times and held them to only three first downs in the second half. I had seven more tackles and forced two fumbles. In fact, I was only one tackle short of the school record for one game which was sixteen. We easily won 34-0, getting off to a great start. My Dad was not able to make the game but I did see Ashley on her cell phone several times during the game updating him. I showered quickly in the locker room and was getting dressed when my cell phone rang. It was my Dad.

"Hey hotshot, I heard you had a whale of a game.", he said.

"Yes sir. It went well.", I replied.

"You got the record for tackles tonight ?", he inquired.

"No sir, I was short by one, I only had fifteen. ", I responded disappointed.

"Only fifteen ?", my Dad laughed, "Son you play like that week in week out, every major college in the country will be knocking our door down."

I finished dressing and headed out to the parking lot where Ashley was waiting. A lot of the students were hanging out in the parking lot,

Really having a great time. Courtney was with two of her friends, Jasmin and Kelly who were both cheerleaders. I never could figure out why Courtney was not a cheerleader. She was easily one of the best looking girls in the school. Ashley gave me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Hotshot, you were incredible. I have never seen anything like it.", she stated.

"Thanks, it was fun.", I replied.

"Are you going out with your friends tonight ?", she asked.

"No, I don't think so, Court and I are going out tomorrow night, I think I am gonna go home with you." I responded.

I told Courtney of my plans and kissed her goodbye, she told me she would go out with Jasmine and Kelly for a while if that was ok. I reassured her that it was fine and to have a good time. I left with Ashley and we went directly home.

We had a great next four weeks. Ashley and my Dad were married the following Saturday in front of a small gathering of family and friends. They didn't really take a honeymoon, they just went away for the weekend because they both had to be at their respective schools on Monday morning. We won our next four games easily, in fact we posted another three shutouts. Our defense had become a dominant unit, we literally shut everyone's offense down. The newspapers were saying we could be one of the best defenses in the history of this state, we were that good. They were now projecting that four of us would get scholarships to play at the next level. My Dad had made two games thus far which were very good. Courtney and I were getting along well, everything seemed to be falling into place.