Part VI
O
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pening
his eyes and back in present time, the quarterback turned toward the team. All
ten of them were looking at him. The split end gave voice to the concern
the whole team felt when he said to the quarterback, “Are you OK? You look a
little lost.”
The quarterback looked back at him, “Oh yea…” he said.
“I’m fine. I was just doing a little thinking.”
“What about?” the split end asked.
“Oh…not much,” the quarterback answered. “Just thinking
about an old Christmas Tree I had once…that and a few other things.”
The split end rolled his eyes, his worst fear
realized. That last sack had done some damage; maybe a concussion. He was about
to motion to the bench for the trainer when he heard the quarterback tell
everyone to huddle up with an intention that demanded instant compliance. The
split end forgot about the trainer.
“Ok guys,” the quarterback said. “Pay attention! Coach
wants to run a deep zig and out to the split end and go for the field goal to
tie. He wants to try and win in overtime.”
The split end moaned, “I don’t think that play will
work,” he said. “I’ve been wearing number 43 like a suit all day. That guy is
an animal! He’s killing me!”
The quarterback looked at the split end. “Don’t
worry,” he said. “We’re not going to run that play. We’re going for the win
now! I’ve come up with a play…I call it ‘Christmas Tree’. I need everyone to
hold their blocks for a seven-step drop. Everyone got that?! And someone pick
up that linebacker! We can’t let that guy through again! Here’s the play…” and the quarterback called a “deep
zig and out and
then go” to the split end. It would start as the same play the coach
wanted except the quarterback would pump fake when the end broke to the
sideline. Number 43 would bite on the fake and the end would break deep behind
him for the TD. Because the route was deep, and required a “triple move” on the
part of the split end, it was imperative the line, the backs and the other
receivers all do their part. They all had to hold their blocks and run their
routes perfectly. Any failure would destroy their chance.
The split end looked dubious, “What is all this
Christmas Tree stuff?” he challenged. “And what if 43 doesn’t bite on the fake?
He is faster than me and….”
“Quiet!” the quarterback said. He was looking at the
split end with a steely resolve. Then he softened a bit. “Listen,” he said.
“Listen all of you. If there is one thing I have learned in my life for sure it
is that the future is free ground… no one owns it, least of all number 43. We
can do anything we want with it. So everyone do your job and let’s win this
thing!”
As the team broke huddle and went into
formation they all to a man knew what to do. The crowd noise was at a fever
pitch but they could all hear the quarterback call the signals, clear and
strong. The center snapped the ball and the quarterback went to his 7-step
drop. The linemen were all holding their blocks but that linebacker had stunted
and here he was again, coming free up the middle. Suddenly the fullback stepped
up and buried his helmet in the linebacker’s chest, stopping him cold...
To be continued...
Copyright
© 2012 by Mark Arnold
All Rights
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