First and Ten

Chapter 24

                                                                       Jax

"It can't end like this," I whispered more to myself than to JB who was sitting next to me.

"It won't," he replied with a strength and resolve that made him the best captain our team had ever had.

The coaches came in not saying a word because there wasn't anything to say. We had practiced hard, watched film for hours, ran drills over and over, and worked all season for this moment, so our head coach stared out across the locker room for a moment before finally breaking the silence with the simple question, "What are you gonna do about it?"

With that, I stood feeling a renewed sense of anger with equal amounts of determination. There was no way in hell I was letting it end like this. "I'll tell you what I'm going to do about it. I'm going to win! We have trained too hard and come too far this season to go out like quitters! There are still two quarters to play, and I'm ready to go out there and fight like my life depends on it! I refuse to lose this fucking game!"

"You heard our QB1. Wildcats don't quit! We ain't losing! Get off your asses, and let's go win a damn Super Bowl!"

The team jumped up with refueled adrenaline and enthusiasm. You could feel the energy levels rising as we all shouted encouragement to each other running out of the tunnel ready to do nothing but dominate every second of the next two quarters. There were no excuses. We knew we had played like shit the whole first half, but no more. Nothing but a Wildcat win was acceptable.

As our special teams were heading out onto the field, I yelled a loud "Let's fucking go!" to keep up the hype we needed to turn this game around.

I looked up to the box where Blair and my family were watching and knew she was looking right at me despite how far away it was. She believed in me and in my team which added to my confidence.

The whistle blew, and the football went sailing through the air. One of our rookie receivers caught it and ran it all the way back for a touchdown with a speed I had never seen him exhibit all season long. The stadium became electric as our fans cheered watching the ball sail between the goalposts after the extra point was secured. I clapped him on the back once he reached the sidelines telling him how impressed I was and what a fantastic morale boost that was for the team.

With evident resolve, the defense went out like an unbreakable steel wall holding the opposing team to a dismal gain of only four yards and forcing a punt. It was time to get to work closing the gap. We made it to the red zone but were only able to manage a field goal. That was okay. We had time.

On the next third down, our defense caught an interception and ran it back for another touchdown bringing the score to 21-20 ending the third quarter. Our hype only intensified as the clock began ticking down the seconds of the fourth and final quarter. Our defense, once again, was a force to be reckoned with, but I knew they were tired and needed a break as they came off the field after forcing a punt once more.

I huddled up the offense ready to run some time off the clock. "Slow and steady, boys. Let's give the defense a chance to catch their breath. We can't let them have all the fun," I stated seeing the savage smiles from my guys in return signaling we all knew exactly what to do and were ready to get in on the action.

I threw to JB and two of our other receivers for a smooth 15 yard gain eating up two minutes. I hit JB again for another 10. We were controlling the ball and the clock just the way we wanted to so that by the time we made it to the red zone, there were only four minutes left. After two failed attempts, we were third and goal, and there was no fucking way I was giving up a touchdown this close to the end zone.