Page 5 of Chasing Sunsets

They’d only get one shot at this with so little time on the clock.

Zack knelt in the huddle. “Dracula Out. Does everyone remember what to do?”

Brad, playing fullback, said, “Nathan and I start on the line and cross each other in the middle of the field, right?”

“Right. Then keep running toward the end zone. I’ll either throw to you guys, Jacobs, or Kasey, whoever gets open, around the forty-yard line.”

Kasey and Dre’s smiles were wide. In the confines of the huddle, Kasey said, “Let’s fucking do this. On the forty.”

The guys clapped and ran to their spots. Brad and Nathan set up as end linesmen. Kasey took his receiver position close to the left sideline and Jacobs the right. Zack stood in the shotgun formation behind the center, Dre beside him.

The clock read ten seconds.

He checked the defense to see if he needed to call an audible, not that he would. The routine of checking made him comfortable.

“Just like at the beach,” Dre uttered from beside him.

“Blue 42, hut, hut.” Zack caught the hike and sidestepped to the right.

Dre blocked a lineman rushing their way.

Zack faked a throw to the right, where Jacobs was covered by a safety and defensive end. Nathan and Brad had yet to cross. He turned toward the left sideline.

Kasey sprinted forward, two steps in front of the guy guarding him.

Zack launched the ball toward the forty.

He held his breath. The powerful stadium lights glinted off the ball as it spiraled through the air. Had he thrown it too far?

Hands reached up and snagged it. Kasey never missed a step as he made the catch and kept running.

Go! Go! Go!

The Stallions’ sideline and stands erupted in deafening cheers when Kasey scored.

Dre slapped Zack’s helmet. “Knew you could do it.”

Others congratulated him as they trotted off the field.

“Hell of a pass.” Simon shoulder bumped him as he charged onto the field for the extra point.

Kasey caught up to him as they made it off the playing field and held out his hand for a fist bump. At the same time, they said, “On the forty.”

“Show off!” Stephens pointed at him.

Cal hurried over and hugged Zack. “Yes!”

Six weeks later, Zack led the Stallions to a state championship victory.

“The beginning is always today.” ~ Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

---