Chapter 46

We ran out onto the field and to our sideline. It was time and we had four captains go out for the coin toss. It was Trevor’s turn and we, as usual, lost the toss. We would receive while the Lions deferred. We chose a goal to have the sun at our backs in the fourth quarter.

After the kickoff, we would start at the thirty. I was surprised that the Lions couldn’t kick through the end zone. I realized that their usual kicker wasn’t playing. I saw that jersey number with a guy on crutches. I realized that their kicking game may not be as good as it has been since their kickoff guy also did their punts. Out on the field, we lined up in our pass action formation with no call being made about exactly what we would do. I received the ball and let things develop. Bob was blocked and our receivers were covered. I was flushed out of the pocket and started running. I looked as I ran. Bob made a block which created a hole. I ran through it going as fast as my legs would carry me! I made it to the Lions’ thirty yard line before being tackled. We quickly lined up in the same formation.

The Lions were looking for another run by me. I got flushed out of the pocket again. Bob made a similar block and the defensive backs released to come forward. I threw long to Tom who caught the ball on the run and went into the end zone untouched. I managed not to get tackled. Our extra point was good. We lined up to kick the ball to the Lions and managed a touchback.

Our kicking team came off and reported that there were some shocked looks on Lions players’ faces. Our defense went out and lined up. The Lions were quite predictable in their play calling and went three and out. They would have to punt to us. Their punter was the same guy who had kicked off short. From the films, they didn’t have a big time punter anyway.

They just managed to get the punt off. None of our players touched the kicker but were close making him hurry. That factor didn’t assist him in kicking.

We fielded the ball on our forty and ran it forward five yards when Jim was tackled. A Lions’ player threw a punch just as people were getting up. I think he was frustrated since he missed an initial tackle due to a block. Unfortunately, for him, his punch was directly in front of the umpire who immediately threw a flag for a dead ball foul. We were moved up an additional fifteen yards before even starting a play for this series.

Bob and I led the offense to line up in the same formation. Upon receiving the ball, I retreated back to look at their defense. I handed off to Bob who picked up a first down at their twenty-seven yard line. I thought to myself that we were having much too much luck.

The Lions called a time out and their defense gathered around their coaches. Coach Edwards came out to talk to us. He said, “Guys, it’s been good up to now. They’re making adjustments. We’ll have to make some, too. Jerry, let’s change our default formation a bit to the other one we practiced. It still gives you all the options just with a different look. Once they commit, you can option a solution.”

I shrugged. “I hope that will be enough. Otherwise, it’s going to be a long first half.” I smiled. “And it may be anyway.” The time out was over. We went into a quick huddle for the new basic formation. I said, “I think we’ll try Bob up the middle. Hopefully, it will be successful and we can see how the Lions react. On three. Break!”

We lined up in the new formation and, before I could start my cadence, the Lions captain called another time out.

I went to the sidelines. Coach Edwards said, “Jerry, they didn’t like that change. They only have one time out left.” He looked over at Bob. “Put Bob in the slot. Bob, you can sort of end around. With any luck, we can drive them nuts.”

He said, “That’s not in the play book.”

“True, but we’re trying to play with their minds. That will do it.”

Bob and I chuckled. We went out and lined up. I called out, “Same stuff! Get set!” On three, I received the ball and retreated like I was going to pass. I looked to the right where Tom was running and Bob looked like he was delaying before going out as a receiver. He broke back and received my hand off as he ran for the other side of the formation. The Lions were slow to pick up the change. Their free safety was helping defend against Tom receiving. Bob made thirteen yards before being taken down by two linebackers. We had another first down at the thirteen yard line.

We lined up after a quick huddle in the same formation. Bob blocked for me and I ran through the hole he created to the five yard line. In the huddle, I called the same formation and said, “We’ll run an eleven with Bob trying the middle. I’ll go right to see if they’ll bite on my fake. I think they’re keying on me. On two. Break!”

I received the ball and retreated. Bob made as if to block before retreating to receive my hand off. I ran right while he went up the middle. They were leaning and Bob went across the goal line before they figured out what we were doing. I was tackled with a spear. It was seen and called. The linebacker was ejected from the game with the yardage penalty to be accessed at the kickoff. I was helped from the field. I thought to myself that this was getting old. After the injury timeout, our extra point kick was good. I was lying on a bench while a trainer was spraying the area where I had caught the helmet. He said, “You’re going to have a pretty bruise.” I just groaned.

We kicked off and got a touchback. The Lions would start from their twenty-five.

Our defense was angry about my spearing. I asked Trevor to warn folks that we didn’t play that way and shouldn’t start now. I told him I will be out for the next offensive series and get the best revenge. He smiled and said, “That will work.”

The Lions gained one yard in three downs. Trevor told me when they came and the punt receiving guys went out that they told the Lions that the ‘Cats would hit them legally but there would be no mercy because of their spearing of our quarterback. When he floored their quarterback, he said, “That’s a legal hit and we’ll hit you every time you get the ball for the rest of the game along with anyone else. We will reward your poor sportsmanship.”

We almost blocked the punt! The punter got off the kick but one of our guys got a hand on it and it wobbled forward less than ten yards. Another one of ourguys fell on it. We would take over on their thirty-two. I went out with the rest. We lined up in one of our option formations.