Chapter 25

We weren’t televised, of course, so didn’t have all the built-in delays. Kick-off really occurred at three. We received since we lost the coin toss. Bob started out on the bench waiting to be called. The other running back ran for three downs before making a first down. His next run on first down was for five tough yards. He came out for a breather and Bob went in. It was a pass-action play which went incomplete. The offense lined up quickly with Bob remaining on the field. It was another pass-action play but Bob took the hand-off. He found a hole and ran for almost thirty yards before a safety had the angle to catch him and bring him down. He came out and I was one of many who slapped his back to give him congratulations. The other running back went in. It was another pass-action with a completed pass which made seventeen yards.

The next play saw another pass-action which was a run. Our running back ran for seven yards before being pulled down by a linebacker. I noticed that he wasn’t as quick through holes as Bob. The defense hadn’t figured out what to do to handle an option well. Our coach kept using it. This was the same formation and was a hand-off. Our running back made three yards before the linebackers caught him again. This time, he fumbled because he was holding the ball with one hand carelessly.

We went out to play defense. As I went out onto the field, I heard the running backs coach loudly say, “What were you thinking? That’s no way to carry a football!” I didn’t hear more because we were out on the field and lining up.

Our first play formation was automatic. It was a play-action from them. I saw the hand-off and closed the hole with the help of a lineman. They gained a yard. The next play was the same except for a fake hand-off as the quarterback retreated to pass the ball. It went to the other side and my linebacking partner tackled the receiver for a one yard loss. It was now third and ten. The offense lined up in the same formation though I expected a pass. I was going to hang back in coverage but Wilkins signaled for me to blitz. I faked readying for pass protection and then charged through a hole into their backfield tackling the quarterback. He was slow to move which made him an easy target. They would have to punt. I came off the field with my linebacker partner. No linebacker played on special teams. There were just not enough of us.

The punt was run back twenty-five yards by a wide receiver. Our offense went out with Bob being sent out in the running back position. The play was a hand-off and Bob ran for a five yard gain. On the next play, we went back to the pass-action with Bob catching the ball out of the backfield. The linebacker trying to cover him missed the tackle when Bob ran faster than he was expecting. Bob carried the ball to the twenty yard line when a safety finally caught him from an angle. The next play was a pass-action with a hand-off to Bob who scored! We cheered. I could hear Marilyn from the sidelines! Bob came off and was congratulated by all. The extra point was good.

The kick-off went out the end zone for a touchback. Our defense entered the field. I heard Alice’s voice screaming for “Jerry.” We lined up in the same defensive formation. It worked again with a lineman stopping their running back for a small loss. Coach Wilkins had told me that we would stick with the same formation until it didn’t work. He signaled to stay with it while the guy on our signal board changed things. I warned everyone that we were on the same play formation and responsibilities.

I noticed that the offense went to shotgun formation. I expected a pass play and made that call. The running back stayed to defend but a tight end came through my assigned area. I saw the ball and arranged to meet him, the tight end, at the same moment. He couldn’t hold onto the ball. Their next play was the same lineup with the end on the opposite side of their formation. He caught the ball and held on but was immediately tackled for little gain.

The next play would be a passing situation. Coach signaled me that I had a blitz option. We huddled and I told my linebacker partner that I would probably take the option to blitz if their tight end lined up on his side. He nodded as did the weak safety who would have to be alert, too.

The offense lined up in the shotgun again with the tight end on the side away from me. The center hiked the ball to the quarterback and I started through their line. The running back was slow to pick me up and I began to chase the quarterback who simply wasn’t fast enough with his receivers covered to do anything about throwing the ball away. I brought him down for a ten yard loss. We came off the field to sit down. Coach Wilkins came over to me and said, “Short, good job. You’re fast and read situations well.” I could hear Alice screaming happily along with my mother and Marilyn. The stands weren’t full.

By the end of the first half, we had scored twice and led fourteen to nothing. Bob had scored one touchdown and made a long run on the other successful drive. I had one other tackle for a loss and probably picked up a couple of assists.

At the half, Coach Wilkins had the five of us to one side and talked adjustments. He told us, “I know their head coach and offensive coordinator. They will adjust. We have to adjust or we get beaten. On paper, they are better than we saw. In the second half, Short will play weak safety. I think we’ll need a heavier linebacking crew for what I think they will do. If not, we’ll return to what we did that worked. We’re going to have to watch what they do and get after them as they change.”

We managed to score after receiving the punt when they failed to make a first down on the second half kick. Bob played a large part in the drive. We kicked to the opposing team and came on the field for defense again. I found playing weak safety to be a more natural position. Being further back, I could see better though wasn’t in a position to make plays quite as often. Our adjustments helped. After one first down, we managed to stop them and came off the field.

After they punted, our offense did well with Bob making two good runs. We were at their thirty yard line. The other running back was in to give Bob a breather. He fumbled again carrying the ball carelessly. We had to go back out. I was mad and so were some of the other defensive players. We dug in, figuratively. Coach Wilkins suggested that I keep in mind a blitz option. I saw a hole and filled it finding the running back just as he was receiving the hand-off. I grabbed the ball from between the quarterback and him and began to run for the goal line. I didn’t think I would get there but it wouldn’t be for lack of trying. I was finally tackled on the five yard line by a receiver. I came off the field to congratulations from all the guys. I could hear Alice shout, “That’s my guy!” I sat down. Coach Wilkins came over and said, “Blitzes work! Good job, Short.”