Chapter 6

Saturday, February 28, 2032 – York County YMCA York, PA

A smaller contingent showed up for the second day for District 1 playoffs. David, and Mike Harris were competing in the 100 Breaststroke and were due to check-in at 9:30 AM for the third warm-up period. Mason Ewing, Sam Kohler, Sawyer Cox and Luke Allerton were competing in the 400 Freestyle Relay and did not warm-up until almost noon for their race. Still, meeting at 8:00 AM at the school on a Saturday morning was asking a lot of a group of teenagers.

Coach Bunting drove a sleepy bunch west to York. As they drove through Paradise, David noticed a familiar pickup truck at the end of his grandparents’ street. He waved vigorously but the driver did not notice him.

“Someone you know?” Mason asked idly.

“My grandfather Edwards,” David replied. “Mom’s father. I don’t think he saw me.”

“I did not realize your family was local,” Mason said.

“Sure, we are,” David replied. “I was born in Landenberg and lived there for my first four years. Mom and Dad are both from here, Paradise. They grew up living three houses apart on that street.”

“Cool,” Mason declared. “My parents are transplants. My mom is from Allentown. Dad is from upstate New York. They met in college. They went to the University of Delaware.”

“My Uncle Andy went there for college,” David commented.

“I know, my parents are super Blue Hens fans,” Mason replied. “They were delighted when he led their Blue Hens to the national championship a few years after they graduated.”

“We are only a few months from graduation,” David said. “Remind me closer to graduation to invite you and your parents to my graduation party. I know Uncle Andy will be there. Maybe they’d like to meet him.”

“They would love that,” Mason agreed. The two got quiet again and caught a few more Zzz’s before the meet.

The group got checked-in on time. David and Mike got pool time to warm-up. Everyone had a long wait while events 15-21 were run. No one from Avon Grove qualified for any of those events. Finally, it was time for Event 22, the AAA Boy’s Breaststroke.

David was in Lane 2 in the first heat. “Give all you have David,” Coach Bunting advised. “This is not your best event. You will need everything you have to make the final eight.”

“Should I?” David asked. “Will I be limited to one relay and two individual events at the state championship?”

“You are limited to that,” Coach Bunting. “You’re here. Why not go out giving your very best effort? What is the point of dragging yourself out of bed if you aren’t going to give your very best?”

“True, Coach,” David agreed. He took his spot for the start. David dove in and tried his best. He glanced over to see the guys in Lanes 3 and 4 ahead of him. He tried to catch them but couldn’t. He picked up a little on the leaders with a perfect turn but did not catch them on the return leg. David tapped the side of the pool for third place. He waited to see his time. The scoreboard showed “D MARTIN 0:53.97”.

The announcer reported that Jake Williams, of Conestoga High School had beaten the state record with a 0:53.60 time. M. Chapman of CB West placed second with a 0:53.70.

The Avon Grove contingent waited through two more heats before it was Mike Harris’ turn to swim. He was in Lane 4 of the fourth and last preliminary heat for the 100 Butterfly. While there were forty spots available for swimmers in this event, only thirty boys qualified.

Mike led from start to finish in his heat. His time was 0:58.23, a personal best. To his surprise, his time was good enough to slide him into the last spot in the finals. That was quite an accomplishment for a freshman swimmer.

The schedule for the meet was tight, so Mike hurried up to his lane almost immediately and took position in Lane 8. David was seeded third for the finals and lined up in Lane 5 beside Jake Williams. M. Chapman was on the other side of Williams, in Lane 3.

David pushed himself to his limit to keep up with Williams and Chapman but did not catch them. He tapped the wall for third place. His time was 0:53.77. Williams lowered the state record to 0:53.56. Chapman’s time was 0:53.69. Mike Harris managed to improve his time to 0:58.10 for sixth place in the event.

“I guess I’ll see you at states in a few weeks,” Jake Williams commented to David.

“I’ll be there, but not in this event,” David replied. “I am better in the 200 IM and the 100 Butterfly. We only get to do one relay and two individual events at State.”

“I did not know that,” Jake commented. “I never had the problem of qualifying in too many events. That sucks for you.”

“It is what it is.”

“By the way, I understand you are Coach Kyle Martin’s son,” Jake said. “One of my teammates told me that yesterday. My aunt knew your father. He student taught her AP European History class way back when.”

“Dad did student teach at your school,” David replied. “He substituted some there too in the off season while we lived in Landenberg.”

“Kick Zielinski’s ass in the IM,” Jake laughed.

“You don’t like him?”

“No, Mike’s a good friend,” Jake laughed. “I like to bust his chops.”

“Well, I promise to do my best.” Jake got a funny look on his face.

“You were a Boy Scout?” Jake asked.

“I am an Eagle Scout,” David answered.

“Me too,” Jake said. “I have a lot of great memories from Scouts. Horseshoe ... Philmont ... time with my friends camping out. You do those things too?”

“I worked at Horseshoe last summer in aquatics,” David replied. “My dad, mom, sister and I are going to Philmont this coming summer.”

“You will love Philmont, I guarantee it.”

“What troop were you with?” David asked.

“Devon 50.”

“I remember them from the first week,” David said. “They won the marching trophy.”

“Good,” Jake declared. “We can’t allow Paoli 1 to take the trophy home every year, can we?”

“No, I guess not,” David agreed. He did not understand the priority troops in Chester County placed on marching, but to each their own. “I’ll see you at states.”

David headed back to rejoin his teammates. The 400 FR teams warmed up. Avon Grove had to wait through the AA event before it was their turn. Sam, Sawyer, Luke and Mason lined up for the start. They were in Heat 2, Lane 4. David and Mike cheered their teammates on as the swam. They won their heat with a time of 3:15.94, just fast enough to squeeze them into eighth place and a spot in the finals, if their time held up after the Heat 3.

The guys gave it their best but placed seventh in the final for their race. The awards ceremony started almost immediately after their race concluded.

The announcer began with the individual scores for swimmers, starting with tenth place. The Avon Grove team, as well as Mike Harris, were shocked when they announced Mike had placed tenth in the meet with a score of 42. There was a long wait as the next eight places were announced. David teammates grinned and congratulated him when the second-place swimmer was named and it wasn’t David. David placed first in the meet with a score of 56. He was named the top swimmer at the meet too. David went forward and accepted the big trophy that recognized his accomplishment.

The top team scores were announced next. Souderton placed tenth with 135 points. Central Bucks West was ninth with 152. Avon Grove placed eighth with a score of 156. The top seven, from seventh to first were: CB East, North Penn Senior, Lower Moreland, Lower Merion, Holy Ghost Prep, Methacton and Conestoga.

The team improved over last year but still had a ways to go to compete with teams like Conestoga. The team needed to improve in free style. They did not place nearly enough swimmers in those events to be competitive as a team. The guys discussed ideas on how to improve for next season. David, Mason, Luke and Sawyer added their suggestions, even though they would be in college next season.

Saturday, February 28, 2032 – Tampa General Hospital, Tampa Bay, FL

As dinner was clearing, Kyle got a call from his brother Andrew. “Lauren had the baby. He was born at 4:57 PM. They are naming him Mark Andrew Martin, after his grandfathers. He is 7 pounds, 2 ounces and is 20 and a half inches long.”

“Congratulations, Grandpa,” Kyle laughed. “Give Lauren, Connor and Mark my love.”

“Will do,” Andrew promised. “I’ve got to end the call. I have a million more phone calls to make tonight.”

“Good luck, bro,” Kyle said before clicking his phone off. He reported the happy news to the rest of the family. The Martin siblings marveled at the idea that one of their cousins had a kid already.

“What is he to me?” Danny asked. “Like a grandnephew or something?”

“Mark is your mom’s and my grandnephew,” Kyle explained. “He is your first cousin, once removed.”

“Why is he removed?” Robbie asked. “Don’t we like him?”

“Connor is your first cousin and Mark is a generation removed from you and Connor,” Penny replied patiently. “That makes him your first cousin, once removed.”

“Oh, that’s how that works,” Danny said.

“Do I have any more removed cousins?” Robbie asked.

“Not at the moment and not unless Noah or Colin get busy soon,” Kyle laughed.

“Busy?” Robbie asked.

“Don’t worry about it,” Kyle responded. “You won’t have any more removed cousins for a while.”

David, Jessie and Danny smirked at their father’s careful dodge of that loaded question. Kyle had no interest explaining to his six-year-old son what getting busy meant, at least not for a little longer.

Saturday, February 28, 2032 – Mason Ewing’s House, Kemblesville, PA

The Red Devils swim team was ready to party after a good day at District 1 Championships. Mason kept the amount of alcohol to the minimum, so no one went home too drunk. There was no need to risk their opportunity at State by getting caught at a beer party.

The teammates and guests enjoyed the company, the snack foods, the beer, dancing to some nice music, and most of all, enjoyed the chance to spend time alone with their girls. David and Sara took full advantage of the opportunity for some fun in bed.

David marveled at one change in one of their teammates. Two months ago, Mike Harris was too intimidated to even ask a girl to dance with him. He bought Avery Gardiner to the party as his date. Mike and Avery danced a good bit of the night. They found a couch and made out when they were not dancing. What a change in two months!

To the best of David’s knowledge, Mike and Avery stopped at making out that evening, unless they went upstairs for a quickie during the forty-five minutes David and Sara were doing the nasty in one of the bedrooms. Did Mike and Avery go that far? Probably not ... at least not yet. But the way those two were making out, the day they lost their virginities wasn’t too many months away.

Monday, March 1, 2032 – Martin Residence, Landenberg, PA

Kyle was home for dinner with the family, which his schedule did not always permit. He was home in good time this evening because he needed to pack for his week-long trip to Indianapolis for the NFL Combine. His flight left G. O. Carlson Airport at 7:30 the next morning. Kyle and Penny quizzed the kids about their day at school. The conversation was fun for the parents, if painful for the kids.

Kyle was holding back some news he planned to share that evening. He waited until they were eating dessert.

“Robbie and Danny, you know how you’re going to spend two weeks with Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop this summer while your mother, David, Jessie and I backpack at the Philmont Scout Ranch?” Kyle commented.

“Sure, I remember,” Danny agreed. “It’s the end of June into early July, right?” Robbie smiled and nodded in agreement. Two weeks with his grandparents was going to be fun.

“It is,” Kyle agreed. “How would you feel about spending some of the time with Uncle Andy, Aunt Heather, Zoe and Josh?”

“That would be good,” Danny said. “COOL!” Robbie chimed in.

“Now, if you spend time with your uncle, aunt and cousin, you will be going on a trip they are planning,” Kyle continued, “ ... to...” He paused to add to the drama. “ ... Disney World. Would that be all right?”

“Disney World?” Robbie chortled. “Really?”

“M-I-C ... K-E-Y ... M-O-U-S-E,” Danny sang, a bit off-key. He inherited his father’s lack of musical talent. “I guess I can endure the trip, if I have to go.” He laughed. “This trip won’t interfere with my football camp at Penn State, will it?”

“Pop-Pop will take you up to Penn State on Friday,” Kyle explained. “He will pick you up on Sunday and take you back to down to Horseshoe for summer camp. The following Sunday, he will take you back to Paradise to Uncle Andy’s. Monday morning you and Robbie will fly to Florida with Uncle Andy and his family. Does that work for you?”

“Sounds like a plan, Dad,” Danny agreed. Robbie hopped up from the table and danced around, chanting the Mickey Mouse song. It was more melodic than Danny’s had been. Robbie seemed to have gotten his musical ability from his mother, like Jessie. David shared his dad’s and Danny’s lack of rhythm or ability to sing on key.

Tuesday, March 2, 2032 – Avon Grove High School, West Grove, PA

“Jessie! I am glad I bumped in to you,” Allison North exclaimed as she met her friend in the hallway between fifth and sixth period. “You got a moment for a question?”

“Sure, what’s up, Allison?” Jessie responded.

“You used to date Matt Sloan, right?” Allison asked. Jessie nodded her agreement. “Do you know his twin brother, Tyler, very well?”

“Ty? Sure, I know him.”

“He asked me for a date this Saturday night before home room,” Allison explained. “I am busy with family stuff this Saturday night, but I suggested another Saturday night might be better. You know about my past two dates. Is Tyler someone safe for me go out with? Why did you break up Tyler’s brother?”

“Ty is a good guy, pretty much,” Jessie answered. “My issue with his brother Matt was with his cheating on me. In the ten months I’ve known the Sloan brothers, I do not know of Ty cheating on any of his various girlfriends.”

“So, he’s uh ... experienced?” Allison asked. “He is likely to be looking for sex?”

“He’s a fifteen-year-old boy,” Jessie responded. “They’re all looking for sex.”

“Is he safe?”

“Ty isn’t going to try to get you wasted and force you into having sex with him,” Jessie replied. “He will try to persuade you to have sex with him, whenever he thinks there is a chance of talking you into it.”

“So, you think I am safe accepting his date?” Allison asked.

“You could do far worse than Tyler Sloan around this school,” Jessie said.

Monday, March 1, 2032 – NFL Combine, Indianapolis, IN

Kyle flew his key coaching staff out to the Combine. The coaches picked up a rental van they would use for the duration of their stay and motored over to the hotel and checked in. Like the Senior Bowl, the Combine was reunion time for the various coaching staffs in the NFL. Most everybody showed up and got to spend time with friends from other staffs.

Zack Hayes, Kyle Martin and their staffs certainly enjoyed their reunion. The two staffs went out to dinner that evening. They spent the meal trading stories from last season, reminiscing about Joe Paterno. Five of Kyle’s staff and nine of Zack’s staff were Penn State grads.

As the meal was concluding, Phil Distefano got Kyle apart for a word. “You left me some huge shoes to fill when you moved east to Philadelphia.”

“You’re doing fine, Phil,” Kyle responded.

“You are still a fan favorite,” Phil said. “Me ... not so much.”

“Remind them of the ring you won,” Kyle answered. “Your offense scored the points that forced Washington out of their comfort zone and forced them to play catch up. That was the offense you called.”

“I guess,” Phil acknowledged.

The two coaching staffs hurried back to the hotel for an evening of interviews. Each team had sixty interviews with potential draftees spread over nine days, so the evenings were quite full. Offensive linemen and running backs were the first group to arrive. Kyle and Julian sat in on all interviews with potential first or second round draft picks. Leo Nields and JT Hill carried most of the load the first night.

Each group of players followed the same daily, but staggered schedule. Day 1 was checking, orientation and interviews. Day 2 was medical checks and any special testing requested by teams. Day 3 was media day and meeting with the NFLPA. Day 4 was position specific testing, long and high jumps, and the 40-yard dash. Day 5 was the bench press and broadcast interviews.

Quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends showed up Tuesday. JT Hill specifically asked Kyle to sit in on the interview with Bryce Marshall, a center from Virginia Tech. Jordan Newsome, the Eagle’s current starting center, was starting his ninth year and could not be expected to play too many more years. Finding a smart, capable replacement for Jordan was a top priority for the team.

Bryce Marshall impressed both Kyle and JT with his depth of knowledge of football line play. He also could explain what all the skill players were to accomplish on a play too. He was a true student of the game, which made him a valuable asset in Kyle’s estimation.

Julian Lurie was disappointed that the team’s interview with Spence Harding wasn’t until Wednesday evening. Defensive linemen and linebackers showed up Wednesday, so Coach C and his staff got busy. They were scheduled to interview two defensive linemen the first night, Monroe Duckworth, a defensive end from Clemson and Tyler Robbins, a defensive tackle from Alabama. Both were expected to go in the first round, so Kyle and Julian sat in on their interviews. Both linemen were impressive in their interviews. Either would be good additions to the Eagles line, if they did well on the rest of their testing.

It had been a long night when the interview crew, including Kyle and Julian sat down with Spence Harding. Harding was the consensus top quarterback in this draft. In person, he was quite impressive in appearance. He stood at 6’-3” and weighed 231 pounds.

Questions started off with personal information. He was twenty-three, single but in a serious relationship with a girl who would graduate from South Carolina in May. They planned to move together to whichever city drafted Spence and marry in a year or so. Spence was the oldest of three boys, all playing football. His younger brother Noah would graduate from high school in June and attend the University of Oregon. Baby brother, Anthony was in tenth grade. All the brothers played quarterback for their Mission Viejo High School, one of the top teams in California.

Kyle asked Spence to describe a typical week prior to a game. He was pleased when Spence referenced video study so often. That was an excellent sign. Spence really shined when they moved on to talk X’s and O’s. Whether it was describing plays from South Carolina’s playbook or analyzing hypothetical plays Kyle drew up on the whiteboard, Spence handled them to perfection. This kid knew his football.

Kyle thanked Spence for his time when their interview period drew to a close. “I’m off to interview for the Cowboys next,” Spence laughed as he headed for the door.

“Whatever you do, DON’T play for them,” Kyle responded with a chuckle.

Once Spence had left, Julian Lurie summed up the group’s feelings. “Wow, if they guy does as well on the skills drills on Friday as he did in here, he will be something special. We’ve got to look into getting him.”

“The price will be quite high,” Kyle responded. “The Jets are desperate for a quarterback.”

“We will see,” Julian answered.

Thursday started the skills drills for offensive linemen and running backs. Most of the offensive coaching staff watched from the stands as the big linemen went through their paces. JT had a list of half a dozen players he thought would fit the Eagle’s needs. Bryce Marshall shined as he did the drills.