And everything goes quiet.
I search for my options, but their yellow jerseys are everywhere. Their defensive end gains ground, and my options are growing slimmer by the second. With just moments to spare before I’m tackled, the ball spirals from my grip. It’s not my best throw, but it’ll do as my body is slammed to the ground.
My eyes trail the ball downfield along with everyone else in the stadium. Just as Devon jumps to catch the pass, it’s whacked away by the opposition. My head drops briefly, then I stand and shout at my team. “Bring it in!”
We huddle together, going over our next play—but things aren’t meshing. We’re not in sync, and it’s frustrating the fuck out of me. “Boys, we need this. I need you all to work hard these next few minutes. Our whole season is going to come down to this. Right here, right now. This moment!”
I turn back to the line, my team lining up head-to-head with theirs. Heart pounding. The crowd’s a blur. The stadium lights beaming down and adding to the intensity of this moment.
My eyes scan the field as I call the cadence once again.
Ball snaps.
Devon cuts in for the reverse. The defense bites hard. Our slot receiver sells the screen. Their safeties shift, and that’s when I see it. The window. The one we weren’t supposed to get.
I plant, twist, and let it fly. The ball spirals through the air, slicing through the noise, the pressure, the doubt. It’s not textbook—but it’s fast, and it’s deep.
Jaxson, our wideout, breaks free, hands outstretched, but he's hit hard from the side. The final pass hits the turf. Incomplete.
The buzzer sounds, and the stadium erupts—but not for us. Their sideline floods the field, helmets flying, players screaming, fans losing their minds.
I can only just stand there, watching their team celebrate in victory. Helmet in hand. Cleats rooted in the turf. The lights feel colder now. My chest tight, like the air’s been sucked out of me.
Jaxson crouches, hands on his knees, head down. It’s as far as he could push his way up after the tackle.
I look to the bench—every players’ head is down, lost like me, frustrated by the outcome and the fact that we were so close.
I glance to Christian, I know he is devastated, but the look he gives me is nothing but admiration. He knows I played my heart out. He knows I left everything on the field, like I always do.
Coach is yelling something about a good game and how there’s always next season, but it’s just background static.
I walk off slowly, shoulder pads heavy, sweat cooling on my skin. The locker room is quiet when we get there. No one speaks. Just the sound of cleats on concrete and gear hitting the floor. I sit on the bench, elbows on knees, staring at the ground.
We lost. We won’t be in the championship game.
But in the back of my mind I have this weird feeling that I’ve lost something more and can’t quite place what that is.
24
Randy
We didn’t party last night. Instead, the team gathered at Coach’s house for quiet commiseration drinks. He gave a speech and thanked the seniors for their dedication to the team. It was somber; we took the loss hard, and after leaving Coach’s place everyone opted to call it a night.
My phone lit up with messages about the bet payout and the game. I don’t think I’ve ever been hit up this much in my life and that’s saying something. Texts, DMs, Instagram, the university forums, they all went off. Every ten minutes, I was getting over fifty notifications, but not one was from Rachel. Not one of my calls or texts was answered. If I wasn’t so worried about her, I’d be pissed. Why won’t she answer me?
My mom was waiting for me at the players’ door. It was good to see her and have her wrap me in a comforting hug. After that tight loss it was what I needed, the only thing missing…apart from the victory…was Rachel.
The next morning after breakfast with some of the team, I once again check my phone.
@Lukecole: And here we thought @Raptorsfootball was all that! Turns out @RandyHarrisonQB couldn’t even get his team to the Championship. The Raptorsremain where they belong, on the list of extinct species. @Cyclonesfootball are going all the way, baby!!!! #massivefail #Notasgoodaseveryonethinks #Cycloneschampions #overrated
@raptorscollege
Motherfucker!I swear to myself, I can’t stand that guy! With us officially out of the running for the championship game, the Cyclones are now in the best position to take the trophy—and it’s driving me insane. I slip my phone into my pocket and shove thoughts of Luke Cole out of my mind.
I cross the grass nearing the edge of the campus property line as I head for home. My head hangs low, my hands are shoved deep in my pockets, my mind racing with everything and nothing all at once.
You looked great last night, Randy. Let’s hope we do better next season.”
