Page 38 of Touchdowns and Temptations

“Of course,” my mother replies and I follow. Soon after we sit down and the fans take their seats, the spectacle begins. The teams enter and the national anthem is played.

The Foxes have won the coin toss and open the game with their first drive. The offense, led by Noah, takes the field and lines up.

My dad is a bundle of nerves for the next few minutes, and when Boston goes down seven to fourteen with a touchdown after the first quarter, he gets even more tense. Things get better in the second quarter; our defense holds strong and comes up with an interception. Noah comes back on the field and I lean forward. The guys have picked up some yards on the turnover and I hope we can score a quick touchdown.

“Come on,” I mutter as they line up and Noah takes his place. He gives the command and the center takes the snap. Noah takes a few steps in the pocket. But a defensive player is there immediately and pulls him down.

“Damn!” I jump up reflexively, earning a quizzical look from my dad. “Sorry.”

I quickly sit back down and try to calm down. They are only on their second attempt and still have all the time in the world. On the next drive, they pick up a few more yards. They finally make it into field goal range. Noah's annoyed face is shown on the jumbotron. He removes the safety catch from his helmet, tosses it to the ground, and sits down on the bench. Alex sits down next to him.

I sigh and turn my attention back to the team that now has the advantage: Seattle! Led by their young quarterback Jalen Armstrong, they line up. Granted, he's really, really good. Seattle scores a touchdown. My dad is cursing next to me and the other people in the box are whispering.

I try to block out their voices because most of them are criticizing Noah and questioning him. They think they would have been better off with Jalen. That's total bullshit, and if they thought about it any more, they'd know it. Noah has several years of experience in the league that Jalen Armstrong has yet to gain. Today is just a good day for him, that's all.

“Come on, Noah,” I whisper. “Come on.”

The offense comes back out onto the field and everything goes back to normal. They line up and the center throws the ball to Noah. Noah runs - in my opinion - the wrong way again and gets knocked down. It's crazy. He can't complete a pass. The worst part is that everyone is happy when it finally goes to the break. Seattle has two touchdowns and a field goal, plus another point lead. And unless miracles happen down there, this is going to be a very humiliating night for the Boston Foxes. My parents go to the box to get more drinks. I stop and look around the stadium. It's my first visit this season and, of course, I want Noah to play better. The whole team should play better and step it up in the second half.

The third quarter starts as bad as the second. Noah's passes are disastrous, and Jalen Armstrong plays like he's a god.

However, our defense miraculously manages to keep the score at 10-28 for a few more possessions.

I look at Noah. His attitude has changed.

He is much more aggressive and his brother notices. Noah pushes him away and gives him a clear command where to stand. Of course, Alex doesn't take this lying down and a verbal exchange ensues between the twins. Noah is able to win this and Alex has to position himself where Noah wants him. This time Noah targets another player and the move works. He gains a few yards.

“Yes,” I whisper, biting my lip as they set up again. This time it works and they score a touchdown. The kicker's extra point is right on the money, too. It's still 17-28, but it's a glimmer of hope. On the Seattle Commanders' next drive, our defense doesn't give them a chance, and it's as if Noah's touchdown untied the knot. On top of that, Armstrong throws an interception and the ball comes back to us.

After another touchdown on this drive, the score is 24-28 going into the fourth quarter.

“Oh God,” I mutter, running my fingers through my hair. You should never write off a football game before the final quarter. My dad has also gotten up and is giving the boys instructions from his position. I'm so glad he gave up his coaching career for now. Poor guys.

The Boston Foxes have the ball again and line up. Noah has a heated discussion with Toby and walks over to his spot, shaking his head. I clasp my hands together, as if praying will do any good, and stare out at the field. They make it to the end zone on this drive. It's not just me, the whole stadium is tense. If the Foxes score a touchdown now, they will have caught up with Seattle.

“Come on,” I whisper as they line up and Noah gets into position. He has to make it. The lines are very tight in front of the end zone, but it's only a few yards away. The center throws the ball to Noah and he goes up the middle. As expected, he is immediately blocked.

“Shit!”

My parents look at me questioningly and I shake my head. As if they weren't thinking the same thing. We have one more try to get the touchdown and finish this drive without losing any points. The team gets back in position. Noah takes the pass and Alex breaks free in the end zone. I jump up and scream as he catches the ball.

“Very good!” I yell so loud that the people below me look up. “Keep it up!”

In the next few minutes, the opposing team passes the Foxes with a touchdown and takes a 35-31 lead. With one minute left on the clock, the Foxes have the ball again. They have to score a touchdown or lose the game. Time doesn't want to run out and, of course, the Commanders call a timeout in the middle of our drive.

I look at Noah. He looks calm, talking to his coach and then to Alex and Toby. I pace up and down in front of the box, trying to get rid of my nervousness.

“Cara?” my mom asks, “Are you nervous?”

“No,” I reply. “Not at all.”

She grins at me, but I just roll my eyes and concentrate on the game. The timeout is over and the offense lines up again. Noah gives the final instructions to his players and they get into position. The center takes the snap, the ball lands in Noah's hands and he dances in the pocket. This gives the defense time and they take advantage.

The quarterback is tackled.

How in God's name can he run back there? This is a black day for the Foxes. The next offensive drive fizzles out as well and time runs out mercilessly.

***

---