I Don't Mind

Chapter 15

Trigger warning: homophobic slur.

Adrian's POV

1 week later...

Today we've got another game. I played alright in our game last weekend, which is good. I need to start playing like that consistently. No big slip ups unlike the first game of the season, which was a disaster for me. Derek hasn't said anything to me for multiple days other than normal teammate shit. 

I'm fine with that. As long as he's not actively antagonizing me, I'm chilling. I need to just be by myself for a little bit. I need my head to be clear, nothing on my mind, and that's when I can really start dealing with my still pretty terrible mental health.

Our game today is another home game, which I'm thankful for. I don't want to go somewhere to play a game, and our crowd was super hyped last weekend. After every bad play by our opponent, they would cheer so fucking loud I could barely hear anyone else on the field. 

Right now, Coach Nelson is just telling us about what our gameplan should be today. We've gone over this almost every day of the week, which is good. He's getting us prepared for our games very well. We know the ins and outs of the team we're playing, we have long film room sessions, highlighting everything we should be looking out for. The facilities here are so nice, it's like a fucking theater in the film room. It's really comfortable.

"Alright guys, you know what we should be looking out for. Make sure to play hard in the trenches guys. You guys did a great job in the weight room this week, and I hope that can translate into some real differences being made in this game. Even if nothing much happens, I'm proud of you guys for the work you've put in. Just put your all into getting past the offensive line. Colorado does not have a great offensive line, as we saw in the film room."

The defensive line really did do a good job this week in practices. They might be kind of small for defensive linemen, but they are quick. They're like slightly bigger linebackers. 

"Also, we will be shifting around the sets. Devin, we might put you in as an edge rusher for a few plays here and there, we might draw up some plays where some of you guys in the secondary blitz as well, anything to pressure their quarterback. He's good. Really good," Coach Nelson states.

He is a good quarterback, but he leads the nation in times getting sacked through 2 weeks. I don't know if that will continue in this game, but they are definitely not a great offensive line unit. They have no idea how to protect their quarterback properly, and that is probably going to be what leads to their eventual implosion. Their quarterback will try to transfer to another school, if he does, that's that, but if he doesn't, that's just gonna cause unbearable tension between him and the rest of the offense. Knowing that you're playing with someone that doesn't want to be playing with you is a horrible thing to know, and you will dislike that person. 

Luckily, as far as I know, we don't have anyone like that on our team right now. That would be a disaster and despite football players trying to act tough, that will hurt our feelings. 

"Now, for the guys on offense, I want you to really open up lanes in the run game. Their linebacker core is not good. They are all small and slow, which is a terrible combination. Their defensive line is alright though, so make sure to really get the middle of the field open. If there are edge rushers, focus your attention on the guys in the trenches. Clear space for Aaron or DeShaun because that's what we're gonna be targeting. Their pass defense is good, so focus more on the run."

Our run offense, led by Aaron and DeShaun obviously, has been one of the best parts of this team. They have improved so much. Aaron can be put into the game as a receiver now, which was impossible at the beginning of last season, and now DeShaun can consistently be put in as a runner because of how much work he put into the weight room to be a stronger runner.