Small Town Boy

Chapter 10

The rest of the week was a rollercoaster. Dad's race was called the next day, and he ended up winning, however, the congressional district was still uncalled. It was swinging between the two candidates with every new batch of votes released. It was the talk of the town. Even at school, filled with distractions like classes, friends, gossip, and sports, it was the thing. Whenever there was an update, word would spread around the school in the same way it did when someone crashed into Principal Lee's car in the parking lot. 

It was Friday again, and I was yet again sitting in the locker room, dressed in my football gear. This week, however, would be special, and not just because I was the starting quarterback this week. Wyatt's time had a bye, and he was coming to watch. He'd told his parents he wanted to watch Reed play, but he'd told me he wanted to see me. We hadn't yet gone on the date he promised, but Parker had agreed to drive us on the weekend so that too would finally happen. 

Coach Hudson walked in the room, followed by Coach Ramirez, then Ms Nelson, and finally Owen whose are whose arm was now in a cast, and slung across his chest by a sling. It was strange seeing him up there, in normal clothes, and not sitting two spots over in his uniform. Coach cleared his throat, which caused everyone to quit their conversations or put down their phones and look at him. 

"Alright boys, before we go through the usual tactics, we need to discuss some changes while Stewart is out." He started gruffly. "Obviously, while he is still the captain of the team of their field, we need to sort out what happens on the field. Miller, Donovan, Archer, stand up please." 

I assumed he meant Parker, as I was unfortunately 'Little Miller', so I stayed put. 

"Miller and Donovan, you both have been on the team since your freshmen years, so you bring experience. Archer, I think it's an open secret that you have a good chance of being captain next year, so I think it would be good for you to get some experience in a leadership position. I'll let the three of you work out how you want to do this, but unless Stewart is back, you three are going to co-captain this team." He announced. The three of them looked at each other, then at the Coaches and Owen. 

"Thank you, coach," Parker said. 

"Yeah, we won't let you down," Aiden added. Jasper nodded in concurrence. 

"Alright, you boys can sit down now, onto today's game." Coach nodded, turning towards Coach Ramirez. 

I was a bundle of nerves stepping out onto the field. This time, I wasn't stepping in to see out a victory with the opposition firmly in the rearview mirror. Owen had said it. It was my team. 

The maths was simple. All we needed to do was win the rest of our games, and we'd make the finals. If we lost, however, it could come down to the results of some of the other teams. 

We got the ball first, so there was no time to get even more nervous. I followed the rest of the offensive line onto the field and took up my position behind Parker. I'd grown since the start of the season, vertically, and in muscle, but there were some big guys staring right back at me. 

Thankfully, the first play didn't involve me, and all I had to do was fake a reception. Julian managed a few yards before he was dragged to the ground, bodies piling on top of him before the umpires put an end to it. Then it was my turn. Parker snapped the ball, it flew towards me and landed in my hands. For a brief second, I froze, then saw Aiden peeling away from the cornerback, just as he had in the first game I played. I pulled my arm back, then shot it forward, sending the ball sailing towards him. He reached up, the ball bobbling off his right hand before it was grabbed from the air by his left. Aiden took off running, reaching the 30-yard line before he was halted. The crowd cheered, and Coach Hudson gave an approving thumbs-up from the sideline.