The Grove Chronicles

Chapter 46

November 30 1991 Football District Final vs Xavier High 

The Bruins once again returned to the district  championship game. They faced the Xavier Rimmers. No player was D1 college worthy, however the team played like one cohesive unit..... No star players.

Coach Fricker stood in the locker room looking perplexed. " Hey have you turds seen Bub!?"

"Nah coach we haven't seen him." " Jesus Christ..." coach thought. " Alright ill find his ass myself. "

Coach searched the bathroom.... to no avial...  Soon after a argument issued in the locker room. Coach rushed to the scene to find, Ezail and LB jawing at each other.

" Nigga I told you to stay away from Compton Lane, too much heat over there!"  Ezail demanded.

LB then threw down his helmet. " Muthafucka who is you!?" " " I go where I damn near please!"

" That's yo damn problem Chuck, always tryna control shit!" LB retorted.

" Yeah no shit, I'm second in command of I.S.S. and I'm tellin yo ass to be easy... simple as fuckin that!"

" Aw nigga, you ain't my daddy.." " Worry about yo own fuckin newborn!"  LB bellowed.

Ezail got in his face, pointing his right index finger. "Keep my muthafuckin daughter outta this!"

" If it wasn't for me, some Seville punks would've had you takin a long dirt nap..... so recognize!"

Coach grunted, stepping in the middle of the argument. " Hey cool it both if ya!"

"  LB get ready for kickoff, right now." " As for you Mr. Harris, in my office, pronto."

Ezail sat in Coach's office chair, pouting, folding his arms.

" Listen, I don't want to hear about any street talk around here....." " Leave it out there, and make sure it stays that way.

" Also leave LB alone.... " " He can make his own damn decisions." Ezail then sucked his teeth. " Coach.... that muthafucka gonna get himself killed!" 

" It ain't gonna be pretty when he take a bullet to the head!" " I'm only tryna to warn his goofy ass!"

" Enough!" " Now my real issue is, why are you late again?"  " First practice, now the championship game.... surely you know better Bub."

" I had to check up on Esmrya and Asia." " I'm a father first."

Coach sighed. " Oh I gathered that.... but what about the late practice?"

Ezail then thought of an excuse. " Ketch needed help with moving some stuff, cuz his pops wasn't around."

Coach remained silent before coming up with a executive decision. " You know I haven't done this in a long time but.... I'm benching you the entire first quarter.

Ezail sighed heavily. " Its the championship game and I'm benched?" " Come on man, I've been on time plenty of times before." 

" Well, those times were before....."A new day require new consequences."

Ezail then pouted once again. " Fine its yo call..... either way we winnin this thing, so Its whatever." 

Coach then grunted. " Bub I'm only trying to prepare you for the next level. "  " Them college coaches are tough out there."

Ezail huffed. " I know, but right now I'm in high school... and we must win a high school game." " Why the attitude Bub, I'm just trying to help?! coach wondered. 

" Dont worry bout it Coach..." " I respect your decision regardless." Ezail replied walking back into the locker room. 

" Always gotta learn the hard way." coach thought shaking his head. 

It was now kick off time. Xavier received the ball. The kick returner darted up the field in a hurry trying to dodge the Bruin players. He got tackled at the 10 yard line, giving Xavier bad field positioning.  The Bruins lined up on defense, looking to set the tone early. 

Bruin fans were confused, seeing Ezail on the sideline. Some were even yelling at coach Fricker to put him in.  

" Hey coach, put the kid in man, is he hurt or what?!" " Yo coach, put me mans in the game, we aint gonna lose you heard?!" Ezail smirked on the sideline , agreeing to the sentiments by the fans. No matter the situation, he had the ultimate confidence in his ability to win big games, so coach benching him for awhile, didn't even phase him. 

On the first play by the Rimmers, they scored completing a first down from a 50 yard screen pass. The next play, Xavier scored on another screen pass, giving them a early lead. Xavier fans were ecstatic. 

For the rest of the first half, Xavier killed the Bruins with their passing game, even though Ezail had entered early in the 2nd quarter By the half's end, the Rimmers led 21-3. 

Ezail didn't say a word in the locker room. Many thought he was upset about coach having him on the sideline, but in reality he was laser focused on winning the game.  

Two quarters later Ezail had 230 passing yards, passing 4 TD's , 100 rushing yards as a running back, more importantly he intercepted 10 passes, a district record!  Scouts in attendance were high fiving and laughing as the young prodigy looked like a video game character.  

He played so great, fans and the scouts alike, didn't even wonder why he didn't start. What they saw was something uncanny from a prep player. The Bruins had dominated in the second half, winning  31-28

Chip Bonner had his microphone in hand looking for some interviews... He grabbed Cornell, to talk to him. " Hey I have Cornell Rockman here....." " Cornell once again, you had a big game with 5 sacks...." " Your adrenaline must've been pumping huh?" 

" Yes sir, I kind of knew what the plays were, I can always read how things are gonna go, so I'm glad we got a second straight title."  " Okay... well go celebrate with your team buddy!' 

" I finally have Ezail Harris here, or Bubbachuck. " Bub, you were sensational on offense, being accurate, but on defense, you snagged down 10 interceptions!"  " It's like you can read the offense!" 

Ezail then licked his lips. " I just survey the field, and read the quarterback's body language..." " If  I can take out a team's offense, I know I can succeed at any level.... ain't nobody gonna stop me."  

" Winning two straight football titles by your junior year is uncanny, will there be a number 3?" " I mean........ why not?"  "Also we'll get one in basketball too, so stay tuned." 

" Okay....... strong words, from a little guy!"  

The Bruins hugged and jumped for joy, enjoying the victory well-earned victory. Despite being benched in the 1st quarter , Ezail approached coach reaching for a hug. Coach seemed confused, but hugged his star pupil anyway.  " He ignored me the whole game, now I'm his best friend... can't win with this kid." he thought