CHAPTER 13

My opponent for the night was a 6'2", 260 lb. sophomore left tackle, who according to their coaches would play major college ball. As I lined up across from him for the first play, he looked up at me for the first time. He did not appear to be very confident to me.

They ran a few plays, got a first down and moved the ball out to the fifty yard line. They liked to play action pass on first down, in fact they were pretty predictable. We set a pass rush for first down banking on that, holding our linebackers in case they ran. We were running a cross stunt up front with the tackle stepping over to my man, I was going inside on him. As the ball was snapped I delayed a half count as I was taught. Our defensive tackle slid over on my man, his man slid with him giving me a clean shot to the quarterback. I accelerated through the hole as he stepped up in the pocket. I have never hit anyone that hard in my life. His body collapsed under me, my weight landing on him as I drove him into the turf. I heard "ball, ball , ball", which meant fumble. As I got up, I saw we had recovered the ball at their thirty eight yard line. I looked down to see him slowly getting up off of the field, I knew he was still feeling the hit.

Our offense took over and we scored quickly giving us the lead, 7-0.

They came back out on the second possession and loaded a tight end on my side, which was something I was used to by now. They opened with a few running plays between the tackles, which we ate up. They threw and converted on third down, giving them a fresh set of downs. On first down, they ran a toss sweep to my side. I had the play diagnosed quickly and was moving in to make a tackle when I was taken out by two players. One hit my helmet first on my side, the other took out my legs. I immediately knew I was hurt. I couldn't catch my breath, I had a shooting pain in my side. I trotted off the field, the trainers meeting me halfway.

"Where Brian ?", he asked immediately.

I was pulled to the training area immediately as I pointed to my upper side. My jersey was yanked off, my pads next, then my shirt lifted. As the trainer pressed on my ribs, I felt a shooting pain. You could already see the bruising, the blood coming to the skin.

"I think you may have broken ribs, Brian. I'm sorry.", he informed me.

"No way Doc, tape me up, shoot me up, do something. But get me back in this shit now.", I demanded.

"It's gonna be painful, hard to breathe. But before I can do that, I have to get an X-Ray, come on.", he answered.

They drove me off of the field in the golf cart, back to the locker room. There were medical techs on hand for this type of thing. I was quickly escorted into a tent-like enclosure where several X Rays were taken. A few minutes later our trainer came back, the X-Rays in hand.

"You have two fractured ribs, the good news is they are still intact. I could tape you up, pad you, but it's gonna hurt Brian. It's gonna be a struggle just to breathe.", he warned.

"I don't care Doc, get me back in it.", I begged.

They took me back to our locker room and stripped me from the waist up. I was given two injections into the side by needle, then taped up. A padded shirt was put on, then my shoulder pads. They then brought out a flak jacket device that quarterbacks wear to protect themselves. They attached the pads to my shoulder pads, then my jersey was pulled back on.

"How do you feel Brian.", the trainer asked.

"Let's do it.", I told him.

They brought me back on the field quickly , we were mid-way through the second quarter. They had the ball and were driving at our thirty five yard line. My defensive coordinator sent me in immediately, I ran into the huddle. Devon, our middle linebacker, slapped my helmet as I entered the huddle.

"Good to have the beast back, baby.", he roared, "Let's inflict some pain B-Boy."

By now I was downright insane. They intentionally tried to take me out, there was no doubt about it. My hands were shaking as I lined up in my stance. My opponent sensed it too, I could see the fear in his eyes. I knew they would test me quickly to see if I could hold my own. They didn't waste any time. The next play was another toss sweep my way, but this time I saw the block coming and side stepped it. I met the running back right at the sideline and violently drove him out of bounds right in front of their bench. They immediately began yelling and trying to pull me off of him. I felt a lot of hands on me, I started pushing back. It took a few seconds but I heard Devon get there, jumping in the pile.

"Way to go B-Boy, you blew that fucker up.", he yelled.

The referee's stepped in quickly, separating players and coaches. We held them to a long field goal attempt which they missed. We took over and went on a long drive to finish the half with a field goal of our own, we had a 10-0 lead.

By halftime, the medication was wearing off, it was becoming difficult to breathe. I motioned to the trainer, who came over quickly. I quietly asked if I could have another injection before the second half. He agreed but told me only one more thing. Right before we went out on the field, I was given another injection.