Two Minute Drill (Bases Loaded Jam Series #2)

Ch. 31: Red Zone (Gordon)

Despite throwing an incomplete pass on first down, it took me two passes to Jermaine Riley for us to cross midfield. Another 10-yard completion to Otis set us up at the Chiefs 38-yard line. Then, I dropped back and look to pass, but saw no one  open. So, I immediately scramble and pick up another first down. The  momentum was shifting to our favor and I could sense the win in my  pocket. The clock read 40 seconds left and ticking.

On first down, I dumped a shuffle pass to Kwame, who managed to get into  the Chiefs' redzone. Hustling to the line of scrimmage, I made sure we  were all set before I took the snap and I spiked the ball on second down, stopping the  clock with 19 seconds left. I ran to the sideline to Coach Robinson to discuss the third down play.

"What are you thinking?" I asked him.

"You're the quarterback," he said to me. "You call the play."

I smiled and ran back to the huddle and looked for a play in my book. I decided  to call a play for Jermaine to run to the endzone before coming back  inward so that I would sling it. Once the huddle was broken and we went  to the line, I thought to myself that this would be the biggest moment  of my football career and I started the game on the bench.

I took the snap and looked to Jermaine. As expected, he was running the right route and I waited for him to get to the endzone. However, I could  feel the defense getting closer to me. I knew I couldn't stand there an  longer. So, I took off to the side. As soon as I felt clear from the  defense, I took a chance and threw the ball. The only thing blocking my  view of the pass to Jermaine was a yellow object flying across.

The  ball hit Jermaine's hands and he snagged it. Touchdown! Game over! We  were going to the Super Bowl. I started celebrating the achievement by  running to Jermaine and we were hugging each other as my other teammates  came out to join me. It was perhaps the happiest moment in my life for  me.

However, the mood changed when I discovered what the yellow object was.

"Illegal forward pass," the referee shouted. "Number 14 on the offense. Five yard penalty and a loss of down. Fourth down."

Immediately, I looked up on the jumbotron to see what happened. When I was scrambling and coming to a stop, I had one foot across the line of scrimmage before throwing the pass. I didn't realize where I was, but I knew I made a big mistake. You can't throw a pass once you crossed the line. I knew the rule, but still messed up. The penalty moved us out of the red zone and set us up for fourth down.

I got into the huddle with the guys.

"My fault guys," I said. "I should've watched where I was going."

"No, I'm sorry!" Michael Choo, our right guard said. "I didn't block my guy long enough."

"It's okay!" Quincy said. "We got eight seconds and we need a score badly."

"You want to try the same play?" Jermaine asked me.

"Let's do it," I said as I called the play. I got to the line of scrimmage knowing what to do. I was certain we were going to score on this play. As I got to the line of scrimmage, I glanced at Kansas City's defense. Their eyes told me they were tired and that they wouldn't be able to stop us. It was all I could see to give me confidence.

With the snap count set, I then took the ball and dropped back as everyone went to their respected positions. The receivers each took a route while my offensive line, fullback and Kwame blocked for me. I check to see Jermaine running the same route as before. However, the defense must've suspected I would target him because they double covered him.