My pulse increased as fog emanated from the dark tunnel, and the Coopers, dressed in their amber game-day jerseys, ran onto the field. The special effects manufactured by strobing lights and a fog machine created the appearance of crackling electricity around the players. The Big Hurt named the starting offense player by player, including their college affiliation, and then the same for the starting defense.
Goose bumps prickled my skin as the excitement built. I wasn’t sure why I’d never thought to be on the sidelines before, but the thrill made me wonder if I could go back to the family suite, six stories above.
Troy Dennison was out on the field with Kai Flores, our cornerback, and two Titans players for the coin toss. The referee’s voice billowed as the image of the five people filled the jumbotron.
“As the visiting team,” the head official said to the Titans’ quarterback, “you get to choose heads or tails.”
“We choose heads.”
The referee tossed the coin into the air, allowing it to land on the field. “Tails.” He turned to Troy. “What do you want to do?”
“We’ll defer.”
The referee repeated Troy’s answer for the crowd to hear. “The Coopers will defer.”
More screams and cheers reverberate throughout the stadium.
The Coopers’ kicking team would be on the field first. I looked down at my watch as the special team came forward. It was exactly 12:59 p.m. The ops team came through.
Now was time for the football players to show the world we were contenders. The clock struck one o’clock p.m. and our kicker sent the football into the air. The Titans signaled for a fair catch.
It was time for our defense to take the field.
The defensive coordinator’s calls came through my earpiece. Darius’s calls weren’t all that different from Drew’s. While I didn’t have time to decipher their meaning, the language and cadence were similar. I soon realized his calls often changed once he saw the Titan offense lined up.
Four and out.
The Titans punted.
Time for our offense.
From my point of view, I saw Fin slap Troy’s shoulder pad as Troy ran onto the field.
A smile curled my lips. While I hadn’t wanted Fin to be a part of the Coopers, maybe I’d been wrong. Maybe Fin truly could be happy as a mentor to Troy and playing second string.
The first half ended with the Coopers up seventeen to ten.
We were the first team to receive the ball as the second half began. A high kick, and our special teams ran the ball to the Coopers’ forty-two-yard line. Fantastic field position as our offense took the field.
Drew’s call came through loud and clear.
I watched as the ball was snapped. Troy faked a handoff to the fullback Treshawn Morgan. Our running back, Dijon Ortiz, also tucked a make-believe ball. The two backs took off, decoys. Troy stepped back, reading his receivers.
The defense had all the possible receivers covered.
Tucking the ball, Troy ran forward. The defense was closing in.
Troy slid, getting the Coopers near seven yards on the play.
The crowd cheered.
A collective gasp filled the air as the Titans’ linebacker charged, plowing into Troy after he was already in his slide.
“Late hit,” the angry call came from the players on the sideline.
Flags flew.
The referees blew their whistles. My heart pounded in my chest.
