Chapter 30

We ran out onto the field to stand on the sideline. The Trojans would kick off to us to start the second half. Trevor was a short return man on kicks. Their kicker stumbled and the kick went short. Trevor fielded the kick and ran for twenty yards getting into Trojan territory before he was brought down.

He came off to congratulations. He said, “I was lucky to field it on the fly with most of their team expecting a long kick. There weren’t as many people to dodge.” Coach Wilkins came over and congratulated him. I noticed the Coach Mosley wasn’t on the field. Coach Wilkins noticed me look and said, “He’s up in the box. Coach Marshall was not happy. Short, he wasn’t even directly your coach. Both of you overreacted. Now, let’s play.”

We had a good game holding the Trojans scoreless and scoring two more touchdowns. On defense, they were ready for Trevor and me so our other linebacker would blitz and we would stay in coverage. Twice, they tried to open a hole and run toward me. I was able to stop the first attempt for a loss and the second for no gain. The Trojans just had a tough game.

When it was over, I cleaned up and prepared to meet Alice and her folks before they had to leave. As I was leaving, Coach Mosley came up to me. “Short, I didn’t mean for you to leave the team. You’re a good player and we need your contribution.”

‘Okay, Coach. I’m still here and playing.” I held my hand out to shake and he gave it a slow shake. I’m not sure this had been his idea. I just hoped it was over. I was actually irritated that I let him get to me. I realized that, despite my success on the team, I had no strong connection to playing though I cared for the players. If Coach Marshall hadn’t come in and resolved things, I would have had to do so. I wanted to be a positive leader if I had to be a leader.

I met up with Alice and her parents. Alice hugged and kissed me. She giggled. “My hero!”

Mister Meadows shook my hand and Missus Meadows gave me a hug kissing my cheek. We were walking along with others waving at us. Mister Meadows said, “That was a great play you made, Jerry.”

I said, “That was Trevor’s doing. I was just there to reap the benefit from it. He’s a great teammate. Their quarterback was careless so, when Trevor was bringing him down, I was able to strip him of the ball.”

Missus Meadows smiled. “We have enough time to eat with you two, if you want us around.”

I smiled. “Works for me.” Alice smiled, too.

The four of us went to the cafeteria which was just opening for an early supper. After supper, Alice’s parents left. We went into the common room of the girls’ dorm and sat down. Trevor came in and looked around until he saw us. He sat in a chair close to us. “Jerry, thanks for taking the heat. You need to know that you have the support of the team. Coach Mosley was wrong, I don’t know what his reasoning might have been.”

Alice looked at me. “What happened, Jerry?”

Trevor looked surprised. “He hasn’t said anything?” He then looked reflective. “I don’t guess he would.

“Jerry was almost kicked off the team at half time. The defensive backs coach, Mosley, accused him of being a ball hawk and didn’t want him on the team. Jerry went into the main locker room and started removing his uniform. The players found out and everyone was sitting quietly. I’m not sure any would have gone on the field. Coach Marshall asked what was going on and when told, immediately said that Jerry was on the team and no one could dismiss a player from the team but him. I don’t think Coach Marshall was happy. Coach Mosley, the defensive backs coach, spent the second half in the press box. Personally, I hope he leaves. He has a rough attitude toward all the players but has mentioned that non-scholarship athletes who don’t live in the athletic dorm shouldn’t be on the team. I think all that finally got back to Coach Marshall. He didn’t want to lose one of his defensive stars.”

“Trevor, let’s minimize my part in this going forward. I don’t want to cause or be considered a source of trouble.”

Alice said, “What’s going on, Jerry?”

“Coach Mosley was venting and said some things that were ill-advised. I reacted a bit too strongly. The team decided to take sides as did Coach Marshall. I’ve since shaken hands with Coach Mosley. It’s over as far as I’m concerned. It should never have started. I don’t want it to become an issue or to continue.”

Trevor said, “Jerry, you’re a leader on the team. All the guys look up to you. You don’t lord it over anyone and that’s good. It will work out.”

“I hope so. I want to get along with folk. We’ve got a team in our conference to get ready to play. We’ve been fortunate against the out-of-conference opponents. We weren’t supposed to beat anyone. My concern is that our conference opponents will be gunning for us.”

Alice asked, “How big a concern should that be?”

Trevor said, “Alice, last year, we were everyone’s doormat. We’ve shown some surprising ability so far this year. Other teams watch films just like we do. It’s going to be tougher because they will be alert to our plays.” I nodded in agreement with Trevor.

We continued to sit in the common room. It was late when I left for my dorm and room. Trevor had talked to a number of girls while sitting with us.

The week went quietly and, Saturday, we played our third game. This one was against a conference opponent and an away game though very close to our school. We won it twenty-one to fourteen. Trevor and I each got a sack plus made a few tackles to stop runs. Our opponents wisely decided to run to the other side and protect on our side. They scored quickly doing that until Trevor was shifted to help that side and stopped their run and batted down some passes. He was pressing their pass blockers and I almost got a sack. They were trying to double both of us. Twice, Doug got away from his blocker and sacked their quarterback. Bob had a great day running the ball and receiving out of the backfield. He scored all three of our touchdowns. There were no confrontations with any coaches which was really good to my mind. We rode buses back to our school.

A group of us got together after the game. We all walked to the athletic dorm and ate together sitting as a group. It was a fun meal and some couples seemed to solidify. After eating, Alice and I went to her dorm to sit in the common room. I knew that Joe had gone home with Barbara though I admitted to myself that he and I were drifting apart. His morals and lack of football were telling.

Sunday, a large group of us went to Sunday school and church. We went to the cafeteria for lunch still mostly as a group. We spent the afternoon in the girls’ dorm common room and the athletic dorm common room. It was a restful time. Just before supper, Barbara and Joe came into the common area carrying her suitcase toward her room. They came down and joined us.