A collective groan goes up from the crowd and I scan the field, searching for the source of disappointment.
“Austin Reid gets picked off with just over two minutes on the clock,” the announcer says, his booming voice echoing through the stadium as the crowd boos.
“Dammit!” Jenna yells. “Can we get a flag on the play or what?”
I’m no expert, but I get what she’s saying. Waverly has a three-point lead, but if Michigan scores on this drive, the Wildcats can kiss their championship dreams goodbye.
Brady told me they have to go undefeated for the rest of the season to even have a shot.
“I can’t look.” Jenna buries her face in my shoulder as the Waverly defense takes the field.
I don’t want to watch either, but it’s like a train wreck and I can’t tear my gaze away.
Michigan picks up a first down on the second attempt and Jenna decides it’s better to watch since she can’t unhear the announcer.
A chant goes up from the crowd. It starts out as D-fence, but quickly becomes all out chaos, a cacophony of horns and thumps and good old-fashioned screams.
“They’re trying to drown out the play call,” Jenna shouts, picking up on my confusion. “If the fans are loud enough, there’s a chance Michigan will draw a false start or some of their guys won’t hear the play.”
“Damn.” I cover my ears, but the relief is minimal.
“Waverly has one of the loudest stadiums in the country!”
I can’t say I’m surprised since my eardrums feel like they’re bleeding.
Down on the field, Coach Collins is hollering at one of the linemen and pointing to a spot a few feet away. His clipboard goes up and one of his coordinators grabs it.
Probably to make sure he doesn’t clock the ref.
Waverly’s defense holds Michigan on the next two plays, but Jenna’s nerves must be contagious, because now my stomach is doing the tango.
“Third and long,” she says, gripping my arm. “We need a stop here. If the D lets them get within field goal range, this game will go to overtime.”
“So free football?”
She rolls her eyes. “No one wants free football when the game is on the line.”
The crowd gets even louder, which I didn’t think was possible, and the stadium vibrates beneath my feet.
Michigan snaps the ball and one of the Waverly guys bolts across the line of scrimmage, tackling the quarterback. He goes down like a sack of potatoes and the stadium erupts. The Waverly Wildcat sprints down the sideline, raising its arms to get the crowd pumped up as the players on the field reset.
“They’re going to go for it!” Jenna exclaims, and thanks to her coaching, I know she means they’re going for the fourth down. If it doesn’t convert, Waverly gets the ball back, which is the best-case scenario.
I cross my fingers and we huddle together, waiting for the next play.
The ball is snapped and the QB drops back.
He must not find a receiver, because he attempts to run the ball and gets tackled at the line of scrimmage.
I leap to my feet screaming and clapping. Jenna, Kylie/Rylee, and Alexis are right behind me. We scream ourselves hoarse and when the offense takes the field, I pull out my phone to text Brady. He deserves a treat for a job well done and I’ve got just the thing in mind.
Me: Come over after the game. I’ll be ready and waiting.
29
BRADY
Piper answersthe door in a white robe, her blonde hair falling over her shoulders in loose waves.
