The Christmas Tree: A Short Christmas Story of Hope and Belief in One's Dreams...by Mark Arnold

 Part VII

...Meanwhile the split end had been running his route to perfection. He had gotten off the snap in good shape and fought through number 43’s initial effort to knock him from his route. He had run about 30 yards down the right hash marks when he suddenly feinted toward the center of the field and then broke sharply to the right sideline while turning his head back toward the quarterback as if expecting the pass. Thirty yards up field the quarterback was standing strong in the pocket, the eye of the storm, defensive linemen and blitzing linebackers straining but failing to get around, through or over the wall of offensive linemen protecting him. The quarterback had been looking to his left surveying that side of the field as the play started, which resulted in the defensive safeties drifting to the left side of the field.

  

 Suddenly, at exactly the moment the split end made his break to the sideline, the quarterback turned back to the right and brought his right arm sharply forward, giving the pump fake of his life. Certain he had the game winning interception coming his way, number 43 bit hard on the pump, just like the quarterback predicted he would. Seeing this the split end planted his foot and cut sharply down the field, streaking toward the end zone exactly as they had planned in the huddle. Momentarily stunned by the sudden move, number 43 quickly grasped his situation…“Shit!!” he yelled, as he saw the split end break behind him. Re-setting his feet and arm after the pump fake, the quarterback now reared back and bringing his arm forward let the ball go…a perfect spiral, carving a long arc against the sky toward the split end. 

Though in reality the crowd was cheering wildly, to the split end the stadium was eerily quiet and time seemed to stand still...the ball taking forever to get to him. Diving at the last second and stretching as far as he could, it looked for a moment that number 43 would be able to deflect the ball away...but then, suddenly, there it was... just clearing 43’s fingers. The split end reached toward the ball, allowing it to settle into his hands as he crossed the goal line...Touchdown!!

The quarterback and his team had won the Super Bowl!

To be continued...

Copyright © 2012 by Mark Arnold

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