Page 117 of A Game as Old as Time

Life is about moments, Gunner.

He took a deep breath and set at the back of the defense, scanning the offense as they aligned.

Perfect.

He smiled and placed his mouthpiece between his teeth.

Let’s see how you like it when someone hits you back.

“It will be first and ten for the Crusaders as they come to the ball. Whitworth looks over the defense and sets in the shotgun. Whitworth takes the snap and hesitates. He is going to run to the left side. He has a blocker, but here comes Gunner Weston…”

The jolt took Gunner’s feet off the ground. The massive quarterback’s heavy exhale filled his ears.

Wait for it.

The turf was unforgiving as he landed on his back. The second hit wasa direct impact on his shoulder.

That felt…

He inhaled and peered up into the night sky. The lights above illuminated the black and gold helmets that now looked down at him.

Not bad.

He gathered his strength and pushed up, now noticing that he was surrounded by opposing players on their sideline.

“G!” Emilio pressed through and pulled him out. “You OK?”

The gigantic player that Gunner had just hit got slowly to his feet. He was gripping the ball tight as players from both sides tried to separate the group.

“Nice hit, Weston.” The quarterback cracked a grin and slapped his helmet. Both sets of players dispersed as the referee blew his whistle.

Yeah.

“Second and twelve.” The referee’s announcement was the final push Gunner needed.

It was a good hit.

“Never better, Emilio!” He exploded off the sideline and joined his teammates. “Let’s go, boys!”

Chapter 21

“Well, folks, we have seen a completely different Pioneer team come onto the field in the second half. This has got to be one of the hardest-hitting games I have witnessed over my years of broadcasting. South Mountain has refused to quit, standing toe to toe with the number-one team in the state. However, Coach Bianchi is going to have to find a way to put points on the board, as the Pioneers still trail 21-0.

The Crusaders will have to punt again to begin this fourth quarter, after a spectacular defensive play by Emilio Cortez. Tyquan Carter is back deep to receive the punt, with Andy Green staggered further up the field.

Here is the punt, and it is a low one. It bounces at the twenty-five-yard line and is grabbed by Carter. Tyquan Carter starts up the field. Carter is at the thirty; he cuts to the thirty-five. Carter gets a huge block from Andy Green at the forty! Now he is at a full sprint up the sideline! Tyquan Carter is at the other forty, the thirty-five, the thirty! It’s going to be a foot race to the endzone!”

The vibration from the crowd reverberated under Gunner’s feet as he ran, full sprint, toward the endzone. Ty was already in Andy’s arms, and the entire team was screaming as one.

“That’s how you do it, Ty! That’s how you do it!” Emilio picked himup, throwing Ty into the lights.

“Ty!” Gunner finally got a chance to grab his best friend. “That’s you, Ty! That’s you!”

That patent Tyquan Carter smile lit up the field, and the noise from the PA announcer was quickly drowned out by the screaming of fans.

“They can’t stop us, G! They’re scared! Look at them!”

Gunner peered toward the other sideline, where the heads of a few players were now drooping.

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