Page 121 of Scored

Whistles.

Flags.

“Pass interference,” the official said. “No. 22, Philadelphia. The ball will be put on the Eagles’ twelve-yard line, automatic first down Lexington.”

Tensions were high. The Eagles’ defense was tight.

Dennison handed the ball to Dijon Ortiz who barreled ahead for five yards. We were now at the two-minute warning, with second and five, at the Eagles’ seven-yard line. Our offense came to the sideline for water. Coach Pratt huddled with the offense.

Back on the field, the Coopers made four yards’ progress with a pass to Patel. He caught the ball and was stopped immediately at the three-yard line. Third and one at the Eagles’ three-yard line. Dennison utilized a no-huddle offense.

We lined up.

Whistles.

Flags.

“Encroachment,” the official said into the camera. “No. 75, defense. Half the distance to the goal. The penalty results in a Lexington first down.”

First down and goal at the one-and-a-half-yard line.

Dennison lined up under center. Spencer snapped the ball. Bennett and Morgan lined up behind Dennison and pushed him forward. The referees’ arms went into the air and fireworks exploded.

Touchdown Coopers.

After the extra point, the score was now 35–28, Coopers, with a minute and thirty seconds left on the clock.

Philadelphia’s quarterback moved the Eagles down the field with too much efficiency. On second and ten, at our forty-yard line, their wide receiver moved forward.

The crowd gasped and screamed.

The ball was out and on the ground.

Malik Johnson scooped it up and ran in the other direction.

“Go, go,” I chanted. I peered over to Vee. The heels of her cowboy boots were bouncing.

Malik made it to the fifty, the forty, the thirty, the twenty, the ten. He peered over his shoulder, but the closest player was five yards back. Malik crossed into the end zone and dramatically spiked the ball. Our sideline went wild.

“Touchdown, Coopers.”

Fireworks exploded.

We lined up for the extra point when the PA announcer said, “The play on the field was a fumble and fumble recovery for a touchdown. This play is under automatic review.”

There was no question that Malik scored. The booth was reviewing whether the play before that was a fumble.

We stared at the jumbotron.

The Eagles’ wide receiver clearly had possession of the ball. It was our defensive tackle Warner who knocked the ball loose. Players scrambled, but it was Malik who scooped it up.

After a painstakingly long review, the official announced the decision. “The call on the field stands. Lexington Coopers’ touchdown.”

The extra point was good.

42–28, Coopers.

Philadelphia would receive the ball with eighteen seconds left on the clock.