Two Minute Drill (Bases Loaded Jam Series #2)

Ch. 62: Second Quarter (Brett/Gordon/Kendra)

Kendra

Our suite was quiet. The fact we fumbled the ball on the kickoff and Dallas recovered when we were trailing 10-7 early in the second quarter really stunned us. It was not what we had in mind and I just felt the air in our system was kicked out of us.

Moments after Houston's defense forced Dallas to a field goal, they had to come back on to the field to try and stop Dallas again.

"Come on defense," I said. "We need this."

But despite my support, nothing I would say could change the outcome of what was to come. Dallas would take care of business on their drive. A few passing plays by their quarterback plus a big run by the running back set up a first-and-goal at the nine yard line. After an incomplete pass on first-and-goal, the Cowboys were able to get a touchdown pass to make the score 17-7.

The Cowboys' fans in attendance were cheering loudly and I could hear some of them make comments.

"Super Bowl champs."

"This game is over."

"Let's run up the score."

"America's Team is back baby."

I started to seethe inside because I knew the game wasn't over yet. I had grown up around football to know that a 10-point lead in the second quarter of a game didn't mean it was game over. Plus, I knew Gordon Henry. I had seen him time and time again find ways to pull out miracle comebacks and we would win those games. So, I wasn't worried.

I looked down to our sidelines and saw Gordon walking on the field. I could see it in his eyes. He was going to find a way to get us back and we were going to win the game. Yet, I was curious as to how he was going to pull it off.

The Cowboys' defense seemed to have a perfect answer to counter him. Since scoring the opening drive with a field goal, Gordon had been surrounded by Cowboys much like a bull was. They forced him to make some tough throws that I often wondered what they were doing differently than other teams that faced him previously.

On the ensuing drive that started at our own 16-yard line, it seemed like Gordon started to figure out what Dallas was doing. He connected with Jermaine for 13-yards on two passes before hitting Ryan Hurley for an 18-yard gain. After Kwame picked up crossed midfield with a seven-yard scamper, Gordon decided to try a deep ball to Jermaine.

Gordon took the snap, dropped back three times, faked a throw to his right, then fired one to Jermaine, who was having to battle a one-on-one with a defensive back. The ball started to come down and immediately, the two men went up for it. Jermaine was able to get his hands on the ball, but failed to maintain possession. The ball went incomplete and the Cowboy's defender celebrated the incomplete pass.

That was until something yellow flew by in the area.

"There we go," Brett shouted. "We're getting one. Pass interference."

I was clapping and cheering believing that we would be closer to the endzone.

"Pass interference, number 84 on the offense," said the ref on the microphone.

"WHAT?" Scout said. "What the fuck did he do?"

"He was held up," Brett remarked. "How was that pass interference?"

The replays clearing showed that Jermaine was interfered with while trying to make the catch. He wasn't trying to do anything except catch the ball. Coach Robinson was livid as he tried to argue with the ref, who told him to calm down and relax. Things were getting worse and worse as we now moved back across midfield by 10 yards. Gordon went with a screen pass to our fullback Matt Spencer, who picked up four yards. He then threw a slant route to Otis, who came up a yard short.