Off The GridIron

Chapter 29: GameTime!!

Friday January 10th, 1992

3:45pm

Leon

Well today was the big day, Game time, My team, The Dorsey High Dons gonna go in on Crenshaw High School. Our rivalry is legendary, we've been going to war for the longest time. I was on the field practicing.

"Damn we going in man!" My teammate Rel said.

"Yeah but we're gonna give it to those Crenshaw High punks tonight!" I told him.

"You damn right dude, they're going down!" I laughed. "We're going to take this win and make it to the championship round and then we're going to crush Washington High."

"Right, you think they're ready for us though Leon?"

"Hell yeah they better be ready for us, because we winnin' that High School title this year."

"Wait ain't your boy on their team though?"

"Naw but once we defeat Crenshaw my boy Kelvin knows what time it is. When it's game time, it's game time, he knows we go hard man, if he don't bring his A game then that's on him."

"Word, because you know we definitely gonna bring ours." Rel said.

"You got that right."

"Alright guys quit talking over there and get back to working out, go ahead and jog a few laps since y'all wanna talk." Coach Davidson said, looking at us.

"Damn!" I said, as me and Rel got up and started to run around the track. As we was running on the track, I saw Chris out the side of my eye, I smiled a bit as he walked over. He waited until I finished my lap and he pulled me to the side and we talked a little bit.

"So you're ready for the big game aren't you?"

"Definitely, I'm gonna bring that W home tonight!" I told him.

"Oh is that right?" He said.

"Yeah, but what do I get if I win?" I said, winking at him.

"Well we'll see about that later on, don't wanna say too much, especially being out here and all in public you know?"

"True, i wish things were different though but you know how people are, it's a shame too." I said.

"True, one of these days though we'll be able to enjoy ourselves in public (Display Our Love) Without being judged and all, you know?"

"Yeah, well just know that either way I got your back, and I know you got mine, but we'll link up later and kick it." I said, smiling.

7:30pm

The time seemed like it went by, from us practicing to preparing to head over to Crenshaw's high school. The game started at 8:00pm. Getting there with traffic was crazy, we left Dorsey High around 7:00pm and we were just now pulling into Crenshaw high's parking lot. We were in enemy territory and things were definitely about to get hectic!!

"Alright guys we're here. Remember to have fun, have a good game, and kick some Crenshaw High ass tonight!!" Coach Davidson said as we got ready to get off of the bus.

Man, it was so much going through my mind, I didn't even know where to begin, I couldn't get butterflies or cold feet now, I'm here. I'm about to put that work in too.

9:45pm

"Alright everyone, we're up right now, 37 to 32, We just need to keep the football with us during the last 2 minutes of this half, don't let them get a touchdown or a pass into a touchdown, or even a Field Goal, we got this!" Coach Davidson said.

"Let's get this win!" I said.

We broke out of the huddle and got into position.

"Hut, Hut, Hike!" Rel said. As he held onto the football he kept on running and running, but out of the left corner this dude came charging towards Rel.

"Rel watch out!" I yelled, but he couldn't hear me in time, i tried to run to him, to catch up and take the hit for him but I couldn't get there in time. The guy took him out. I saw his leg, and his leg looked almost like Joe Theisman's leg in that game with Lawrence Taylor, it just looked nasty.

"Awww damn!!" I said. "We need some help over here." I said. "Rel it's gonna be okay man, just hang on, you're gonna be good bro." I told him. His leg was just dangling there, this was definitely going to end his career, before it even began too. I felt bad for him. "Don't worry man we're going to win this game for you!"

The game was stopped for a few minutes while they got Rel off of the field, score was still 37 to 32, with 1:30 left on the clock. We held on to that ball and got another touchdown bringing the score to 44 - 32.

11:30pm

"Good game Leon." Chris said as I came through the door after getting back to my place. "I'm sorry about Rel though, that was messed up!"

"Tell me about it. I'ma go visit him tomorrow and see how he's doing, how they're treating him at the hospital and all."

"That's good. Well you want me to run you a nice hot bath?"

"Sounds good, maybe you'll come and join me too." I said, smiling. Let's go!" I gave him a wink.

End Of Chapter 29