Two plays later and we hadn’t managed a first down, so the Chargers got the ball.
“Defense, guys!” Claire shouted out. “Let’s go Lions!”
The Chargers quarterback threw a high pass, but no one managed to catch it. The next play was more of the same. Then he launched a long spiral and his teammate caught it, way down the field.
“Pull the flag!” Claire jumped to her feet, screaming down the bleachers. It didn’t matter, though, the kid scooted by all of our players, running thirty yards for a touchdown.
“Damn,” Quinn said through gritted teeth, crossing his arms against his chest in defeat. “That was a heck of a pass.”
The game was tied now and there were only two minutes left. I didn’t think my heart could withstand overtime, so I really hoped the Lions could shut it down.
The whistle blew announcing the two-minute mark and the Lions parents leaned forward in their seats as a collective unit, a cheering sea of blue. The night air was cold, but at this point no one noticed. Nerves were keeping us warm.
Ryder called a time-out and his offense huddled around him, six little Pee Wees listening intently to their coach’s plan. My stomach clenched and I took a deep breath, exhaling a puff of white into the dark sky. Bouncing my knee, I caught Quinn’s eye as he smiled over at me.
“Not nervous at all, right Cali?” he grinned.
I shook my head and lied through my teeth. “Nope.”
He laughed and turned his attention back to the game. Time-out was over and we were back on the field.
The team lined up and hiked the ball. Charlie threw it to Rex, but as soon as the pass was completed a Charger yanked his flag.
We lined up again. This time Charlie handed it off to Skip, who ran twenty yards for a first down.
“Alright, Skip!” Sue Ann called out, pumping her fist into the air.
Ryder was pacing the sidelines. He called out to the team and threw up two fingers, signaling a play. They took formation and Charlie threw a perfect pass down the left side of the field. A Charger jumped up and I held my breath, willing him not to intercept. Luckily, it was just a tip.
Two downs left, less than a minute on the clock.
My heart was beating a mile a minute and my palms were sweaty, despite the temperature. I had no idea how Ryder looked so calm, clipboard in hand, directing the kids to this side of the field and signaling the play.
“Relax, Cali, he’s got this.” Quinn cut his grey eyes at me, then shoved a hand into the pocket of his jeans, leaning back against the bleacher.
I gnawed my lower lip as the clock counted down one second at a time. Ryder only had fifty seconds to win this game or we were going into overtime.
Brooks reached over and clasped my hand as the team lined up for what would most likely be the final play of the game. Everyone in the stands held their breath and the crowd was eerily silent as Charlie called out, “Ready, Set, Hike!”
Ball in hand, he drew his arm back, eyeing the field, scanning for an open player. Everyone was blocked. He had no play. All of a sudden, Alex broke out, running back behind Charlie. He handed the ball off and Alex ran down the field.
“Go, baby!” Brooks was on her feet, jumping up and down.
“Run!” Sue Ann and Claire shouted in unison.
Alex passed the forty-yard line, then the thirty, then the twenty. Two Chargers dove for her, but missed her flag by inches.
“Run!” I cried. Alex ran and ran, a blue streak down the field.
“Touchdown!” the referee announced as the entire Lions team cheered for Alex. Alex beamed at her teammates, then looked up at us. Brooks waved and I cheered.
“Nice job!” Claire said to Brooks, high-fiving her. Brooks beamed, happily accepting congratulations.
“They’re definitely going for two,” Quinn said, leaning forward, elbows on his knees. All the kids were scrambling back into formation and the clock was still running.
Charlie held the ball, gauging the situation. Rex moved, getting open, and Charlie threw the pass to him. He caught the pass in the end zone.
“Yes! Two more points.” Quinn pumped his fist, breaking his cool persona.