Part 4

Chapter 18

I floated on a cloud the rest of the weekend. My high continued when I arrived at school. All day I received accolades from my classmates, teachers and even from kids I had never meet. I definitely was going to enjoy playing football and all the perks that went with it. Eddie and I bumped into Stacie in the hallway between third and fourth period. She gave me a hug and a kiss on the lips. Eddie stared.

"We need to get together soon, Tiger," she said.

"I want to Stacie, but I'm busy until after the game on Friday."

"We should get together then, Tiger," she said as she pinched my bottom. She disappeared into her classroom.

Eddie exclaimed, "You know Stacie Thompson? The hottest tenth grader in our school?"

All I said was "Yes."

"How well do you know her, uh, Tiger?"

"We hung out with the team Saturday night. We talked."

Eddie asked, "And?"

"We kissed some."

"And what else, TIGER?"

I smiled and said, "Let's just say I know she doesn't need to stuff her bra to look the way she does."

"Arrgh, enough! I don't want to know any more," Eddie whined. "It'll only make me more depressed."

I was standing in line to buy lunch when Julie Simpson joined the line right behind me. She said, "Hi, Kyle. I saw you in the game Friday night. You played really well."

"Thank you."

"I wanted to talk to you for a while, Kyle. I want to apologize for the way I acted on our date last spring."

"You don't need too."

"I talked with some of my friends after our date. They all said the same thing as you. I just was a little scared when you did that and panicked."

"You shouldn't apologize. You were right. I should have asked if you wanted to French kiss before I did that."

"I'd like to go out again sometime if you want, Kyle."

"That would be nice. I'll give you a call some time." I paid for my lunch and headed out into the lunch room. I spotted Eddie, Jeremy, Penny and the gang at the far table along the wall. I headed for them. When I passed the table where Mike and Zack were sitting, they called for me and asked me to join them. I sat down, thinking I better find out what Zack and my teammates wanted. We talked and had a good time. I noticed a couple times, Eddie and Penny staring at me. I felt bad standing up my friends.

The coaches started to work on some new things with me during football practice. Most of the afternoon they paired me with our best cornerback. He taught me as much as possible about how to defend against a receiver, along with a few tricks receivers had pulled on him to get open.

On Tuesday I worked with the cornerback some more, learning what my opponents were going to do to stop me. Wednesday, they switched me to working with Mike and Coach Graham. They wanted me to learn some moves to fool the defenders. They said I couldn't out run the whole league all year the way I out ran defenders last Friday night.

During our final run through on Wednesday, Don ran a curl while I went down field. He got tangled up with the linebacker and fell. The linebacker came down too, landing right on Don's leg. Don's scream of pain brought everyone to a dead stop.

The coaches dashed over to check Don out. He was rolling on the ground screaming from pain. They brought a stretcher out for him and carried him to the training room. The rest of the team hovered around the locker room, waiting to find out how Don was.

We had our answer when two EMTs wheeled their cart by us to the training room. Some of us gathered together and prayed. They took Don out a couple minutes later. Coach Caffrey came out when they left and called all of us together.

"Don has a severe break of the fibula. I want all of you to remember him in your prayers tonight. I'll pass more information to you later tonight through your captain, Zack Hayes. Please excuse me, I have to get to the hospital."

Everyone gathered their things in silence. One by one we disappeared from the locker room and went home. I couldn't concentrate on my homework. I couldn't get Don's scream out of my head.

Zack called later that night. The EMT's diagnosis was correct. Don now had a cast from mid-thigh to toe. They sedated him. He was going to spend the night in the hospital. He wouldn't be playing football anymore, at least not this year. Zack told me to get ready. I was going to be starting on Friday night. I silently prayed I didn't screw up.

Zack and Mike grabbed me at lunch time on Thursday. They gave me a long talk about what I needed to do from here on out to fulfill my new job on the team.

At practice that afternoon Coach Graham worked with me to get familiar with the pass patterns that were normally run from my flanker position. Most of practice was spent in passing drills. When we were done, Coach Graham and Coach Caffrey gave me a big pile of plays to study that night.

Chapter 19

Friday morning, I proudly pulled on my football jersey when I dressed. All day, my friends gave me their best wishes. After school Coach Caffrey and Coach Graham gave me a "mid-term test." I had to review every detail of the fifteen plays they gave me to study yesterday. Thank God I passed the test. Both coaches seemed very pleased.

Zack gave me a ride home for dinner. I ate quietly, intent on being prepared for my first start. Dad drove me to school for the game. He said that the rest of the family would be there for the game this week. Word filtered into our locker room that Eddie's JV team beat the Chief's JV team 27-13. JV is 2-0 now. We varsity players needed to keep up.

I stood at the edge of the field during introductions near the front of our team, as befits a starter. The butterflies in my stomach were working overtime tonight! The stands seemed to be filled to capacity. They crowd presented a collage of colors, but our red and white predominated.

I waited impatiently as the offensive line was announced, followed by the tight end, then it was my turn. The speakers blared, "Starting his first game, Number 87, Kyle Martin, Freshman Wide Receiver." I ran the gauntlet of my team mates high fiving them and receiving pats on the back as I ran by. I heard some cheering as I was introduced. I stood at the end of the line, waiting for Mike, Stan and Zack to be announced.

Our team kicked off to the Chiefs. Our return team did great. They stopped their returner on the 22 yard line. Our defense was fired up tonight. They stopped the Sadsbury Chiefs cold. Three plays and a punt then it was the offense's turn to take the field.

My butterflies were fluttering in my stomach like crazy. 'Would I screw up? Was I good enough to do my new job?' Zack called a run play in the huddle. I was secretly relieved. Let Stan carry the load for a while. We made three yard on the play. No great, but not too bad either. I blocked my guy. He couldn't get involved in the play. The next play was more of the same, an off tackle run, but to the opposite side of the formation. We made four yards.

For third and three, the coach called a pass. It was time for me to earn my place on the team. Mike was doing a 10 yard out. Greg, our tight end, was doing a cross. I was doing one of my streak patterns down the sideline. On the snap I started downfield. The Chief's cornerback lunged at me, knocking me backwards. I collected myself, dodged his second lunge and ran downfield as fast as I could. When I looked back I saw Greg had caught the ball five yards downfield right in front of their middle linebacker. We made our first down.

When I got back to the huddle Zack was pissed. "Kyle, remember what we showed you in practice. You need to make a move. Don't let the cornerback hit you at the line of scrimmage! You screwed up the timing on that pass. Get it right next time."

"I'll try, Zack," I said.

Zack called the play, another deep route for me. This time I sidestepped half a step at the snap of the ball. The cornerback missed me when he tried to hit me. I streaked by him heading for the corner post. The cornerback couldn't keep up. Twenty yards downfield, I looked back for the ball. It came flying over my shoulder into my outstretched hands. I pulled the ball into my body and ran downfield. Their free safety finally caught me near their twenty yard line and pushed me out of bounds. Greg and Zack came running to congratulate me as I picked myself up off the field.

When we huddled, Zack looked at me and said, "Kyle this play is a pass to the corner of the end zone. This ball is yours! You get it, jump for it. Don't let the defender have it. Is that clear, Kyle?"

"Yes, Zack."

Zack called the play and we lined up. I noticed that the Chief's cornerback backed off the line a little, giving me more room. At the snap I ran downfield for the corner of the end zone where Zack would place the ball. As I crossed into the end zone, I checked back for the ball. Zack had lofted it. The cornerback was a half a step behind me. I stopped near the back of the end zone and jumped. I out jumped their cornerback and snagged the ball, falling in a heap in the end zone. I held the ball aloft and listened to the cheers of our fans. Half the offense mobbed me to congratulate me on the catch. The PAT was good.

Sadsbury's offense started to get their act together a little. They managed to make three first downs before they punted the ball back to us. I was starting to feel comfortable in my new role as a starter. Zack had our offense humming in the first half. Stan was getting good yardage on his runs. Mike caught a lot of passes, mostly short and medium ones. I caught a couple 20 yard passes near the end of the first quarter.

When the second quarter started, I was lined up on the by the opponents bench. While I was walking back to the huddle after one play, I overheard the Coach and defensive coordinator talking.

The coach said, "You gotta stop 87! He's killing us. I don't care how you do it, but stop that guy."

The coordinator replied, "He's fast, but we'll fix it. We can keep the ball out of his hands."

I felt proud that they were worried about me, but I wondered what they had in mind. I found out on the next play. The lined up a corner back and a nickel back on me. On the hike, both smacked me, keeping me pinned on the line of scrimmage. With this adjustment, I didn't catch any more passes. Fortunately for our team, Mike and Greg picked up the slack. Zack passed our team steadily down the field. Coach mixed a few runs in for Stan. He did well too. When we got to their twenty-five yard line, Coach sent in sophomore Karl Weaver as our third receiver. That forced Sadsbury to move the nickel back off me. The change allowed me to catch a pass on the five yard line. I tried to pick up more yards after the catch, but the cornerback and free safety tackled me at the three yard line. Stan and our offensive line punched the ball into the end zone on the next play. Our PAT was good. We were ahead 14-0.

The Sadsbury Chiefs finally got their offense started. They drove the ball down the field using a nice mix of passes and runs. They managed to score when our cornerback slipped and fell down as the ball arrived in the end zone. The PAT made the score 14-7 Wolverines. We tried a hurry up offense at the end of the half but couldn't get into the end zone. We were on their 33 yard line with 4 seconds left. Coach put in three wide receivers. I was to go for a catch in the corner of the end zone. On the snap, I streaked for my spot in the corner of the end zone. I attracted too much attention. The Chief's covered me short and long. Zack spotted Karl open at the five yard line and fired the ball to him. The defenders converged on Karl and brought him down on the one yard line as time ran out on the half.

When we came out of the locker room, it was dusk. The lights were turned on. The field was bathed in fluorescent light. Our returner took the second half kickoff back to our 33 yard line. Sadsbury put two defensive backs on me every play. We moved the ball anyway, thanks to great blocking by our line and some nice running by Stan. Mike took advantage of his single coverage and added nice passing yards to the drive. Unfortunately, we made a couple penalties and the drive stalled at the Sadsbury 28 yard line. We tried a field goal, but it missed wide left.

Sadsbury took the ball and marched down the field with it. Their mix of plays kept our defense off balance. They pushed down to our 19 yard line before our defense finally stopped them. On fourth down they kicked a field goal to make the score 14-10 Wolverines.

Zack and Coach Graham discussed our plans while Sadsbury had the ball. After the kick off, Zack led us out to the field. He was fired up. I looked at him, waiting for the play. Zack was sweating. His jersey was streaked with mud and grass stains from the times he was knocked down by the Chief's defense.

Coach Graham called for a three receiver set. Now I was free to get off the line of scrimmage again. On the first play, Zack sent me on a deep route downfield. Karl went deep too, pulling the free safety his way. Zack hit me at their forty yard line. I tried the spin move that Mike taught me earlier in the week and picked up four more yards before their free safety finally came over and tackled me. I ran more deep routes on succeeding plays, but only as a decoy. Stan shoved the ball down their throats for five straight plays, pushing us down to the nine yard line. On the next play, Stan faked a run while I went for a pass in the corner of the end zone. I drew two defenders again. Zack spotted Greg come free in the middle of the end zone and hit him in the chest for a touchdown. After we made the PAT the score was 21-10 Wolverines.

Our kicking team did a good job covering the kick return on the ensuing kickoff. We caught their returner at their 22. A face mask penalty by one of their blockers moved them back to their seven yard line. Good field position was just what our defense needed. Coach Wyndham stacked the line up with nine defenders on the first play, correctly anticipating a run. Our defense stuffed the play for no gain. After that Andy Groff and Neal Johnson, our defensive ends, rushed the passer on every play. Sadsbury's quarterback had to run for his life, narrowly avoiding a sack on the next two plays. Their punter did a good job, but there isn't much you can do when you kick from your three yard line.

We started our next drive from their 47 yard line. We started every play from a three receiver set. I ran a lot of deep routes. Zack spread the ball around. Mike caught an 8 yarder, Karl took a 12 yarder, and I caught a 21 yarder. Stan ran when they expected a pass. We drove the ball right down the field and stuffed in into the end zone. We made the PAT. Score 28-10 Wolverines.

This last score took the wind out of Sadsbury's sails. Our defense played pinball with their quarterback. They couldn't do anything after that. Our offense shoved the ball down their throats, keeping their offense on the bench. Stan stuffed an insurance touchdown in late in the fourth quarter. The final score was 35-10 Wolverines.

I made six catches for 132 yards and a touchdown. It was a nice night's work. I decided that I could manage to do the job as a starter. Zack invited me to catch a ride to the team get together tomorrow night. We were going out for burgers and a movie. I happily accepted his offer. I wondered if Stacie Thompson would be there. I wanted to pick up where we left off last week.

Chapter 20

Zack picked me up around 5 pm on Saturday. We meet our teammates and friends at the local burger joint. I spotted the table where Stacie was sitting with Cynthia and Mike. Zack and I joined them. Stacie snuggled right up to me. I put my arm around her while we waited for our orders to arrive for dinner. Stacie kissed my cheek a few times and nibbled on my ear. I knew we were going to pick up where we left off last week.

Zack was hanging all over Cynthia tonight. They barely allowed time to eat dinner between kisses. When we finished dinner, everyone headed over to the movie. Stacie and I found seats in the back of the theater.

Within a few minutes of the start of the movie, we started making out. We embraced across the armrest between our seats, locking our lips together. Our tongues dueled and thrust against each other. My dick hardened and poked my pants into a tent. Stacie rubbed my dick through my pants occasionally. I strained to keep myself from cuming in my pants. A big wet spot was plainly visible.

An hour into the movie, Stacie got up and slid over and sat on my lap. Stacie wiggled and ground her butt into my erect dick. I rubbed her tummy while she did this.

"Tiger, please feel my tits."

"sURE thiNG Stacie," I squeaked. I wrapped my hands around Stacie and held a tit in each hand. I squeezed and rubbed them. Stacie obviously hadn't worn a bra tonight. My hands were separated from these luscious orbs by a millimeter of thin cotton cloth. Stacie was moaning in my ear as I felt her up.

"Ooohhhh ... Kyle, put your hands under my shirt, please!" she whispered in my ear.

I slid my hands up under Stacie's T-shirt. I slid my hands up her tummy and chest, feeling her smooth warm skin. Then I touched the bottom of her tits. The skin was incredibly smooth. I moved my hands over her tits and squeezed. Stacie was moaning louder. I tried to shush her. I rubbed over her hard nipples. Stacie moaned and wiggled more on my poor boner. We kept this up for nearly ten minutes. The stimulation to my dick was too much. Desperately I tried to think of something boring, but the stimulation of my hands on Stacie's tits and her grinding on my erection were too much. I spurted five squirts of cum into my pants.

I exclaimed, "Shit!" I pulled my hands out from under Stacie's shirt.

"What's wrong, Tiger?" Then she felt my dick deflate. "Oh! I'm sorry, was that too much?"

I said meekly, "yEs" I got up to go to the bathroom to try to clean the mess out of my pants. I cleaned the cum up as best I could. My sticky, cold boxers clung to my groin. I had a big wet spot on my pants. I slinked back to my seat, embarrassed at my appearance.

Stacie grabbed me and started kissing me again. I opened my mouth and welcomed her tongue back into my mouth. We made out through the rest of the movie.

My pants had dried a little in the half hour since I made a mess in them. Stacie and I walked out holding hands. We met Zack and Cynthia outside. Zack asked, "Do you need a ride home too, Stacie?"

She answered, "Yes, that would be nice, Zack. Thanks."

Stacie and I hopped in the back, while Cynthia got in front with Zack. Cynthia snuggled up to Zack and rubbed his chest while he pulled out of the parking lot. Stacie and I went back to making out the way we had in the theater. One hand went up under her shirt again. I caressed and rubbed her tit while we kissed. The drive home was way too short. When Zack turned down my street, I started to disengage from Stacie a little. I pulled my hand out from under Stacie's shirt.

"Tiger, can we get together some afternoon next week? I'd like to do some more things with you."

"I'd like that too, Stacie, but I have football practice every afternoon and homework every night. I can't even get together with you next Saturday. I have a campout that weekend. Let's get together at school at least."

"I'd like that, Tiger. I really want to find some place with some privacy some time." Stacie said as she rubbed my crotch when I got out of the car.

"I'd like that, Stacie," I said. "Thanks for the ride, Zack."

I went inside, went straight to my bedroom, stripped my sticky pants and boxers off and whacked off until I shot cum all over my chest. I finally had relief from the evening.

I was settling into a comfortable routine. Classes, lunch with my team mates, practice, homework and training with Eddie in the evenings. The coaches continued working with me, teaching me techniques to avoid the jam at the line of scrimmage, how to make the defensive back miss a tackle so I could get more yards after the catch, and of course learning more plays. Zack warned me that I would be learning some new plays every week all season. I had a lot to catch up on.

Chapter 21

Our third game was with Eastern High School. The school had started a football program a couple years ago and they weren't expected to be much of a challenge. They had only won a single game in the past two years.

This game was an away game. Temperatures dropped the previous day. It was cool for mid-September with game time temperature in the low 50's. The Varsity and JV teams rode the buses across to the eastern end of the county for the game. The JV games were played first. Eddie and his team trounced Eastern's JV team. They won 31-3. Eastern's stands were only partly filled, very different from what I was used to at my previous games. It seemed like we had almost as many fans in the stands in red and white as there were Eastern fans dressed in gray and blue.

When our game started, Eastern took the kick off. It quickly became apparent that they were not going to move on our defense. They tried a couple runs for little gain and faced a third and long. Andy Groff blasted by their tackle and sacked the quarterback, forcing a fumble in the process. Andy covered the fumble. We started on their 18 yard line.

Zack lofted a sweet pass to me in the corner of the end zone on the first play for a touchdown. Things did not get any better as the game went on for Eastern. I caught another touchdown just before the half ended. Coach Caffrey sat most of the starters for the second half, but I continued to play. I guess Coach figured I could use the experience. Steve took over at quarterback. We ran the ball more, but I did get a couple passes thrown my way. Steve's passes weren't nearly as accurate as Zack's. I had to watch more carefully to get them. Stan scored two touchdowns running. Jack Steffy, our back-up tight end, caught a touchdown in the third quarter. I finished with a stretch to catch a 20 yard pass that sailed high. I out jumped the CB, came down with the ball and broke the tackle. I streaked down the field to score our team's final touchdown for the night. The final score was 42-0.

Zack asked me if I planned to come to Greg's party tomorrow night while we dressing after the game. He said he could give me a ride if I needed one. I thanked him, but told him I had a campout this weekend with my scout troop.

Early Saturday morning, Eddie's Dad drove Eddie and I out to the cabin in the Welsh Mountains where our troop camped some times. The "mountains" were actually some low wooded hills in the eastern end of Lancaster County. We spent the day helping teach the younger scouts knot tying and lashing. We helped them build a monkey bridge in the afternoon.

Eddie and I shared a tent that night, as usual. After lights out, Eddie asked me, "Kyle, what's the deal with you and Stacie Thompson? Is she your girlfriend?"