There's No "I" In Team

Part 1

            It was a sweltering summer evening. The sunset displayed combinations of stunning, bold and majestic colored shades of blues, pinks, yellows, and purples. Although it was not too cloudy, there were some cumulus clouds that seemed like little fluffs of cotton candy floating throughout the vibrant sky. The smells of the concession stand wafted through the evening air of the Hope Complex soccer field. Like arrows flying from the archer's bow to the target, hot dogs, candy, popcorn, sodas, and nachos where hurriedly flung from the workers hands to the customer's! The atmosphere seemed calm, but at the same time it had a frenzied excitement about it! Tonight was a big night! It was the most monumental game the L.A. Dragons would play this year, and it was about to begin!  The stands were packed with fans, families and friends! Butterflies seemed to flutter inside my tummy, the rush of nervousness, and excitement surround me, and probably everyone else too! There were only 24 players on our team. But we were still the best home school team around! At least that's what we thought!   It was nearly 6:00pm.

      " Alright girls! Start warming up! " Coach Alvaro commanded.

"Kayli and Lilly! I want you two to lead warm ups, alright?" Coach Mailand clamored.            

         I nodded my head in agreement and looked over at my faithful companion who was overjoyed to lead warm ups. We hustled over to where our team was standing.

 " 10..9..8..7..6..5..4..3.....2..and..1. Ughh!" I said out of breath, as all of us let out a humongous huff and collapsed to the ground, finishing a full plank.

                                                          

        " Lunges next guys!" I shouted as the whole team groaned and reluctantly hurried to their feet. (Or should I say cleats?)

                                 After warm ups, and stretches, we all formed in a huddle. Coach Alvaro came over to give us a little encouraging pep talk and a prayer before we began to play the big game. 

                 " Okay girls! This is the big one! I know each one of you will do a phenomenal job," Coach Alvaro said in his strong, English accent.  "Now, get out there and go have some fun!"

"You ready Lilly?" I asked quizzically as we wogged, a combination of walking and jogging, over to the field.                     

"Sure am!" She said cheerfully, wogging right next to me.

"Alright! Let's do this thing!" I exclaimed as we both exchanged a high five.

After we completed our Lansing-famous "Slurpee Chug Chant" with our team, we were all ready to start one of the greatest games we would ever play!   

      Our opponents were the Kalamazoo Cougars. They were strong, they were tough, and they were big. No, wait! They were gargantuan! They had twice as many players as we had, and they were quite nasty, too, attitude-wise, that is. To be completely honest, they were pretty intimidating! But nothing a home school team couldn't handle!