Blood Bath

Chapter 1

Michigan always has late October snow storms, but it makes for an uncomfortable afternoon football practice. The Lake Huron School football team, the Loons, were struggling with the winter conditions, and Coach Talbert was unrelenting.

"Hey Coach, can't we go into the gym and practice?" Aden, the team's captain and quarterback spoke on behalf of the team.

Coach Talbert replied, "How about two more laps around the field to warm up?"

"Guys, listen up! You are the UNDEFEATED LOONS, Lake Huron School's football team! Man up! If you can't play Michigan football during blustery, cold, and crappy conditions, you have no chance at winning on Friday and making it into districts. The season will be over. Will it satisfy you to end the season in October?"

"No, but if we get sick, we won't be any good on the field tomorrow night, sir," injected Aden.

"You're in good condition and won't get sick," Coach insisted. "Remember back in August? The first day you stepped on this field for practice was the hottest week of summer, and most of you couldn't run one lap without passing out. You were out of shape. Did I let you take it easy? No! I worked the hell out of you and now look at yourselves. You have proven you are the best team this school has produced."

Coach brushed snow off his playbook and continued. "Aden, run these five plays, and make sure everyone does their job. We want to surprise the Sebewaing Patriots, and these plays will help. Colton, you must work on holding the ball when your hands are cold and the ball is wet. Playing in the snow only makes the game more interesting. Now get to work and stop complaining."

The grumbling stopped as the team ran through the plays. The quick passes were hard to hold on to. Colton's fingers were freezing and when they hit the ball, he thought they would break off, but he never let go of the ball. He wanted to please Coach Talbert because he respected him and knew he would never put the team in harm's way. After forty minutes of grueling work, Coach told the men to hit the showers.

"Aden, you did a great job. We can win Friday and you know what that means." Coach said.

"Sure do, Coach. We'll be the District Champions. They claimed we would never beat Ubly in the playoffs and we did that last week. Now we'll overthrow the Sebewaing Patriots, too." Aden said.

Colton was listening to the conversation and added, "Damn right! We'll crush them, Coach."

The teens laughed as they walked into the locker room. Colton glanced toward the parking lot and smiled when he saw his yellow Jeep Wrangler parked in its usual place. A tragic misadventure resulted in the Jeep needing new tires, bodywork, and a few new parts. Tonight Colton will deliver his newspapers on The Point without having to borrow his mom's old Chevy S-10 pickup. There was nothing wrong with the S-10 except it wasn't his Jeep.

"Colton, I see you have your Jeep back," said Calvin Rowell, the extra large Loons Center.

"The owner of the body shop in Bad Axe said they would drop it off today. I'm so glad it's done."

"Me too... now I won't drive out of my way to take you home." laughed Calvin.

"If it caused you a problem, why didn't you say so before this," quipped Colton.

"I'm kidding, Colton. I was glad to give you a ride, considering all you've done for me and the team... it was an honor."

"Thanks. I appreciate your driving me around, too." said Colton. "You appear healed from that nasty Hampton game. Is Coach going to let you play tomorrow?"

"I hope so, I've been working out a lot and I feel stronger than ever. The doctor said I can do whatever I want. He said I need to be careful, because once injured, I'll be susceptible to future injuries. For the team, I'll take the risk," Calvin said as he took his practice uniform off and got ready for the shower.