Page 55 of Strong Side
TWENTY-ONE
CASEY
This week isa big game against our rival, Chandler State. We beat them last year and hope to keep the Golden Hat for another year. It’s a trophy that’s been passed between the two universities for decades. It’s tradition, and it also comes with bragging rights. The game is off campus between the two schools, but closer to Walker this year.
They’re having a good season, just like we are, but they’ll be out for revenge, so it’s likely going to be a brutal game. The music is thumping in the locker room, everyone even more pumped up than usual. In games like this, you have to be hungry to win. If you aren’t, your opponent will do everything they can to distract you, wear you down, and run you into the ground.
A few of the guys on D-line are getting into teammates’ faces.
“You want this? You gotta earn it, son. You gonna win today? You gotta fight for it. You gonna fight today, Smith? You hungry?” Sam Holland, one of our linemen, yells in Smith’s face.
“Fuck yeah!” Smith shouts.
Coach walks in then, followed by Archie fuckin’ Griffith. His hair is a little shorter, and he’s wearing jeans, a Walker football polo and hat, cowboy boots, and a big-ass belt buckle.
I look over at Beck. “Did you know he was coming today?”
Beck has a smirk on his face. “I had no idea, but I’m not at all surprised. They have a Monday night game this week. Haven’t talked to him for a few weeks. Just a couple of texts here and there.”
Archie walks around the room, smacking helmets, bumping fists, slapping hands. When he gets to Beck and me, he grabs us both in a hug.
“You fuckers didn’t think I’d miss this, did you?” He chuckles.
“Glad you’re here, man! The girls come with you?”
He got engaged in the spring and has a new baby—or I guess, not brand-new. I don’t know baby stuff.
“Yeah, Emma’s parents are moving down this week, and we’re helping wrap up a few things. We’ll come by the house tomorrow, and we’ll chat some more. Emma has the baby on the sideline, waiting for me to come back out, but I had to drop in and see my boys!” We do a handshake, and then he turns to Beck to do the same. “You ready, Linson?”
Beck nods. “You know it. Always ready.”
Coach comes to stand in the center of the room. “All right, boys, bring it in.”
We all move in closer, forming a circle around Coach Pettys.
“We have a job to do today. And you’ve worked hard. We have an opportunity, and we’re gonna take it. You gotta believe in yourself and your team. You gotta believe it in here.” He points to his heart. “Every whistle, every down, every play is the play we put them on their backs. Every play is the play we get the touchdown. Work together, communicate, find your balance, find your center of gravity and stay in it. We’re gonna bring thehouse down, boys. And we’re gonna keep that motherfuckin’ hat at home! Stallions on three. One! Two! Three!”
We all have our hands up, with our index fingers pointing up, and shout together, “STALLIONS!”
It’s these moments I love about the game. The brotherhood, the bond we make as a team … there’s nothing like it.
“As you see, we have a guest today. Griff, you gonna take us out?” Coach points at Archie, standing next to me and Beck.
“Hell fuckin’ yeah, Coach!” Archie claps his hands together and starts pacing the room in a circle. “Stallions, are you ready?! You ready to turn up on these boys.” Clap. “Smash these boys?”
A collective, “Hell yeah,” rings out.
“We will hit all day.”
“Yes, sir.”
“We are motivated.”
“Yes, sir.”
“We are dedicated.”
“Yes, sir.”
