Chapter 14

Ed and Jeremy met me at the bus stop early on Monday morning. They bombarded me with questions about my visit to Penn State and what Joe Paterno was like. I filled them in on all the details of my visit. Andy finally got to hear about the team party and Johara. I left those details out when I talked about the visit with my family at dinner last night.

Ed filled me in on his weekend. He flashed me his brand new driver's license. He passed his test on Saturday afternoon. I congratulated him, but I was frustrated. I was going to be the absolute last person in eleventh grade to be able to drive.

At practice on Monday Coach Caffrey called Ed, Jeremy, Greg, Drew and me aside at the end of practice. Coach had me explain about my visit to Penn State this past weekend. He discussed about NCAA recruiting and how we register our eligibility as student athletes to play in a NCAA school. Coach Caffrey told us he had about thirty requests for game tapes from colleges. They all were interested in us. The whole thing was a big ego boost for the five of us.

This week's game was with the Trojans. They played us tough last year. They lost their quarterback to graduation last spring. They had a first year varsity sophomore playing quarterback. If we could stop the run we felt we had an excellent chance to win. Ed's experience at quarterback was going to give us a huge edge over the Trojans this year. The Trojans had a 1-2 record so far this season.

At Boy Scouts on Monday night I briefed Mark Good and Paul Abbott on the camping trip our troop was taking over the next weekend. The troop was leaving Friday night without Ed, Jeremy, Hal and me. I delegated Paul and Mark to run things until the four of us arrived on Saturday morning. We were spending the weekend at our scout camp and going to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire on Saturday.

Penny and I continued studying together a couple evenings during the week. I felt comfortable about my classes. Having a study partner was a big help. For the first time since I started high school I had straight A's in my courses. I hoped I could keep it up.

The first inkling I had that it wasn't going to be a normal Friday night came at the bus stop Friday morning. Ed didn't show up for the bus. I didn't find him before home room. I headed to first period deutsch unterricht wondering what was up. I found out second period. Ed and I had gym together. When Ed didn't show up I asked Coach Wyndham, our teacher, what was up. He told me Ed was on the absentee list today.

I bumped into Coach Caffrey near the end of class. Coach told me that he talked to Ed between first and second periods. Ed had the flu. He was home barfing his brains out. He definitely would not play tonight. Coach Caffrey assured me that Jake could handle things for the night. I hoped he was right. Ed's experience was expected to be our margin of victory over the Trojans and their sophomore quarterback.

At practice in the afternoon Jake threw a lot of passes to Karl and me. We had spent less time working with him than with Ed. Jake's passes were on time and on target. I felt comfortable when practice was over. We would be fine.

I was dressing for the game after dinner beside Jake. I asked him, "You ready for this, Jake?"

"I guess," Jake said hesitantly.

"We have your back, Jake. On pass plays don't forget Drew is there as an outlet if you get in trouble. You can throw me a pass if I'm double covered as long as you throw it high and long. I can out-jump the defender for the ball."

Jake answered, "I know all that, Kyle. I just wonder how I will do with playing against bigger faster players. I know I can handle JV, but varsity is new."

"I've watched you practice for two years, Jake. You will be fine tonight."

We were still talking when Coach Baer yelled out, "Quarterbacks to Room #2." Jake headed to the back of the room. About thirty seconds later Coach Baer yelled, "Kyle, get your butt back here. You're QB2."

Shit! I hadn't planned on that for tonight. I called back, "On the way, Justin."

He yelled back, "That's Coach Baer, Kyle."

"Yes, sir," I replied as I hurried back to the meeting room.

Coach Baer reviewed the game plan in detail with Jake and me. Coach Baer warned me to pay attention tonight. If we had a blow-out, I might go in at quarterback in the fourth quarter.

We had beautiful weather for the game. The temperature was in the low seventies. Our team took the field to the cheers of our fans. Jake received some lusty cheers as he was introduced for the first time.

The Trojans won the coin toss and elected to receive the kickoff. Our defense was fired up. The Trojans ran three plays and were forced to punt to us. Andy caught the punt and ran it back twenty-two yards to the Trojans 48 yard line.

Coach Caffrey kept things easy for Jake's first few plays. We made three straight runs up the gut of the Trojan defense. They couldn't stop our offensive line and Drew. On the fourth play I ran deep, drawing two defensive backs with me. It freed up Greg Harrison. He caught a pass on a slant route for a fifteen yard gain. The fifth play of our drive was our killer play. Jake faked a hand-off to Drew while I ran deep. The free safety started toward the line of scrimmage to tackle Drew. I flew by the cornerback. Jake hit me in stride twenty five yards downfield. I raced into the end zone with our first touchdown.

'Automatic' Hal booted the PAT to bring the score to 7-0 Wolverines. Hal Long had been a great addition to our team. Hal was a perfect 19 for 19 on PAT's and 2 for 2 on field goals.

The Trojans did better on their next possession. They mixed runs with screen passes with some success. Their drive stalled out on our twenty two yard line. They managed to connect with a 39 yard field goal. Score: 7-3 Wolverines.

Coach Caffrey mixed the runs and passes on the next drive to keep the Trojan defense off balance. I missed on one deep pass when the free safety nailed me just as I was catching the ball. Drew carried the ball into the end zone for our second touchdown later on that drive. With Hal's PAT the score went to 14-3 Wolverines.

The Trojans ran three plays and punted the ball. Andy nearly broke the return for a touchdown. They managed to shove him out of bounds at the Trojan's 38 yard line. Coach Caffrey decided to go for the jugular. Jake faked a hand-off to Drew while I sprinted downfield. I out jumped two defenders to catch a touchdown. Hal booted the PAT through the uprights. Score: 21-3 Wolverines.

The Trojans managed to drive down the field in ten plays. Their drive stalled when Jeremy and then Travis Hall sacked their quarterback on consecutive plays. They tried a forty-five yard field goal but missed.

We ran the ball more on our fourth drive. Drew and Marcus traded turns running the ball. We used all but the last 1:21 of the clock to position Hal for a 22 yard field goal. Hal booted it though the goalposts to bring the score to 24-3 Wolverines.

The Trojans switched to a no huddle offense. They managed to move the ball downfield. Brett Fulmer missed a tackle on their best wide receiver. The receiver carried the ball into the end zone for the Trojan's first touchdown. They made the PAT. Score: 24-10 Wolverines. Jake took the snap and kneeled down to run the clock out on the first half after the kick off.

The Trojans kicked off to us to start the second half. We mixed up the passes and runs again. Jake drove us down the field smartly. The drive ended when I caught a pass in the corner of the end zone over top of three defenders. Hal made the PAT. Score: 31-10 Wolverines.

The Trojans responded by continuing the no huddle offense to score another touchdown. This brought the score to 31-17 our favor.

Coach Caffrey called more runs on the next drive since we had a 14 point lead as the third quarter wound down. Our drive stalled before we could score. We punted the ball back to the Trojans. Coach Wyndham blitzed all three plays. Jeremy sacked the quarterback on the first play. Joey Keller tipped the pass on the second play. On the third play Seth Vogel intercepted the ball and ran it back almost to midfield.

The Trojans stacked eight guys in the box to try to stop our running plays. We only gained four yards on the first two plays. We put our three receiver set on the field. I saw Jake was being rushed, so I broke off my deep route and came back to towards Jake. He fired the ball to me. I caught it twelve yards downfield. I broke the first tackle by the free safety, but it allowed time for the cornerback and strong safety to tackle me. I made a fifteen yard gain and a first down.

I jogged back to the huddle. I couldn't see Jake. The offensive line and running backs were milling around. I asked Drew, "What happened?"

"The defensive end clobbered Jake when he released the ball." Drew explained.

I looked around and spotted Jake lying flat on his back. He wasn't moving. Next I saw the trainer and doctor running on the field to check out my friend. Jake rolled his head just as the medical team arrived. I watched as they started to check Jake out.

"MARTIN!" I heard someone yell from the sideline. "MARTIN! GET OVER HERE!" I realized it was Coach Caffrey. I jogged over to the sideline.

"Yes, Coach?" I asked. I finally realized why I was here. I was going to be the quarterback! My mouth went dry.

"Kyle. Look at me," Coach Caffrey commanded. I stared in to his eyes. "I'm going to make this as simple as I can for you. We'll run the ball most of the time."

"OK," I answered.

Coach Baer said, "Give me your left arm, Kyle." I held it out while Justin strapped one of the cheat sheets that quarterbacks have with all the plays on it.

Coach Caffrey continued, "We have to throw a deep pass or two to keep the defense loose. They won't expect your first play to be a deep pass. We'll go with three receivers." Coach Caffrey told me the play. Coach shouted, "Andrew Martin – you're the flanker now. Showalter – you're the slot receiver now. Go get them, guys."

The three of us trotted out to the field. The trainer and the doctor helped Jake walk off the field. Jake looked unsteady. It looked like I was going to play more than one play at quarterback.

I brought the guys together in the huddle and called the play. We lined up at the line of scrimmage. I looked the defense over. They had nine guys crowding the line of scrimmage. We had the right play called. I screamed "Blue 23 ... Blue 23 ... HUT!"

Adam snapped the ball and thrust it into my hands. Things moved fast after the snap. I dropped back five steps and looked for Andy. He was running downfield covered by the cornerback. Our offensive line was pushing the Trojans rushers around me. I took a step forward and fired the ball to Andy. I put too much on it. The ball sailed over Andy's head and bounced fifteen yards downfield of everyone.

Marcus Shaeffer brought the next play in. I remembered this one. Zack had me run it two years ago when I scored my second touchdown of my career. I called the play in the huddle and lined the offense up. Adam snapped the ball to me. I dropped back five steps and watched Greg and Tim cross in the middle of the field. I glanced left when I heard someone yell "FREE!" That is our signal that a defender got past his blocker. I glanced left. The Trojan defensive end was heading my way. I sprinted to the right away from him. The other defensive end peeled off his block and headed for me as I ran past Jerry Morton. I sprinted away from him too and ran downfield. The strong safety tackled me after I made thirteen yards and a first down.

Coach Caffrey sent Drew in with the next play. I was to roll out to the left. Tim, Karl and Andy would draw the defensive backs deep. Greg was to run a slant to the same side as my rollout. The play worked exactly the way it was designed. I fired the ball into Greg's hands. He turned up field and picked up another eight yards after the catch.

Coach Caffrey started running sweeps and off tackle plays from our three receiver set. Andy, Tim and Karl kept the defensive backs away from the point of attack. Our offensive line did a good job opening holes for Drew and Marcus.

I felt more comfortable as the drive continued. We ran the ball down the field until we got into the red zone. We stalled at the sixteen yard line. On third down we ran the roll out again. I fired the ball to Greg at the two yard line and he dragged a linebacker into the end zone with him. Hal came in and made the PAT. Score: 38-17 Wolverines.

We had burned seven and half minutes off the clock. The Trojans had six minutes left to try to score three touchdowns. Our defense was fired up. They shut the Trojans down. After three plays they punted the ball back to us. Andy caught the punt at the twenty-two yard line and ran it back twelve yards.

I ran the offense again. Jake wasn't even on the sideline anymore. We kept the ball on the ground most of the drive. I threw a couple more passes to Andy and Karl. Drew and Marcus alternated running the ball. We used all the time on the clock without giving the ball back to the Trojans. The final score was 38-17 Wolverines.

We celebrated our victory with our fans for about ten minutes and then headed into the locker room. Coach Caffrey awarded game balls to Drew, Jeremy and me. Coach Caffrey warned us not to celebrate too much. In seven days we faced Central. This game probably was for control of our league and our play-off destiny.

Hal's dad gave Jeremy, Hal, Andy and me a ride on Saturday morning to meet our troop at the Renaissance Faire. The drive through Manheim was interesting. Nearly every building, billboard and pole had signs exhorting Central to beat the Wolverines next Friday. We were in trouble if school spirit was enough to beat us. Fortunately skill and hard work mattered more. I felt we would be able to beat Central again.

We met the troop outside the front gate at the Faire. My friends and I were a little embarrassed to show up there in our scout uniform but it turned out OK. The performers at the Faire made a fuss about us. They wanted to know what knight commanded our army. We had fun watching the various performances. The mud men were the best. After lunch Queen Elizabeth spotted Hal, Jeremy and me. She talked with us and then knighted us. We ate lots of snack food that we bought from the vendors. The joust was a great way to end the day. The troop loaded up in the cars and vans and headed back to the scout camp.

I had the scouts play flashlight tag after dinner. We did a campfire with skits and a story by Mr. Clark before the scouts went to bed. Sunday morning we made breakfast, packed up and headed for home.

After lunch I gave Ed a call. "Hey Ed, how are you doing?" I asked when he answered the phone.

"A little better, Kyle," Ed answered quietly.

"Do you want to get together this afternoon?"

"No, I need to rest this afternoon," Ed explained.

"OK. Are you going to school tomorrow?" I asked.

"I expect that I will. This flu has been a bitch. I had a fever of 102 degrees on Friday. I was barfing my guts out. You stay home this afternoon. We can talk on the phone for a little. You don't want this bug."

"I gained a lot of respect for you on Friday night," I said.

"I saw the stats in the paper yesterday. Four of seven passing for 57 yards and a touchdown. Those are good stats Kyle. How long did you play?"

"I was in for a little more than a quarter."

"What happened to Jake?" Ed asked.

"Jerry slipped. The lineman nailed Jake and knocked him out," I said.

"How's Jake?"

I answered, "He's fine. You can keep the quarterback job. It sucked. I don't know how you do it every week. You have to keep track of every single thing. I felt rushed the whole time."

Ed laughed. "You get used to it after a year or two, Kyle."

"Get healthy, Ed. We are going to need you if we are going to beat Central Friday night." I said.

Ed and I talked for a few more minutes about the camping trip before we hung up.

Ed was back in school as expected on Monday. I spent practice working exclusively with the defense. Coach Wyndham had me practice by covering Andy. He was the fastest wide receiver we had besides me. I worked part time as the free safety and part time as a cornerback. Coach Wyndham wanted us to be more flexible on defense. He didn't want Central to know exactly where I would be on any given play.

Mr. Montgomery, the sports editor for the evening paper, the New Era, showed up at practice on Tuesday with a photographer. He was there to see me. The sportswriters chose me as the athlete of the week for Lancaster County. They interviewed me for fifteen minutes after practice and took a few pictures.

Tuesday evening was my Eagle Board of Review. Mr. Clark introduced me to the board. Mr. Stevens, Mr. Abbott, Mrs. Sauder and Mr. Mitchell were the board members from my troop. Mr. Diffenbach represented the council on the board.

I was nervous when I started out, but I got comfortable after about fifteen minutes. The questions were easy. We talked about the things I did in scouts. We talked about leadership. They asked questions about my project. We talked for almost twenty minutes about the Scout Oath and Scout Law. The whole thing took about forty-five minutes. The board dismissed me while they deliberated. They invited me back in after five minutes and congratulated me. I made Eagle! This was the culmination of five and a half years of work in scouting. I was on top of the world.

Wednesday evening Dad went to the mall for some shopping. I managed to convince him to let me drive. I wracked up my thirty-first hour of practice. I was well over halfway to my license. At the rate I was going, I figured I would get my license in November. This was turning into a phenomenal week for me.

I got a phone message from Trent Wednesday evening while Dad and I were out. I called Trent back. Trent said, "Hey Kyle, how's it going?"

"Great, Trent. You ready for Friday night?" I said.

"We're ready," Trent answered.

"I saw all the signs in Manheim last weekend. You guys really want to beat us don't you?"

"You better believe it, Kyle. Friday night is going to be different. We plan to kick your butts."

"Good luck trying," I said. "We have a few things ready for you."

"I have a question for you, Kyle. I was on-line and saw your stats. How often did you guys run your option play last week? The stats say you had seven pass attempts."

"That wasn't the option play. Ed Fritz was sick last Friday. Our back-up, Jake Kring, took his place," I explained. "Jake got knocked out near the end of the third quarter. I had to take his place for a quarter."

"Let's see: wide receiver, cornerback, quarterback. What's next Kyle?" Trent asked.

"Julie helped me with my cheerleading skills. If we get a big lead, I thought I might try that next. That or maybe nose tackle. I don't know," I teased.

"I can see it, Kyle," Trent said. "You in a short skirt shaking your pom-poms. I'd pay to see that."

I asked, "Have you made any college visits?"

"I visited Rutgers last weekend," Trent replied. "I liked Delaware better. I'm leaning towards them."

"That's cool. You aren't going to believe where I was two weekends ago. I visited Penn State," I said. "They rolled out the red carpet for me. My dad and I met Joe Paterno. You wouldn't believe their facilities."

I spent five minutes relating all the details of my visit to Penn State. Trent and I agreed to talk before the game on Friday night. We wished each other luck for the game.

After practice Coach Caffrey told the team that Channel 8 asked that we bring the team together to appear on their Football Friday program after the game at 11:30 pm. The Football Boosters had arranged for us to have use of the pavilion at the township park. They were going to provide refreshments for the football team and the cheer leaders. We could invite other friends too if we wanted.

The New Era printed the article naming me athlete of the week on Thursday evening. The editor mostly had my story of how I started football correct. I was pleased that he included how grateful I was to Zack Hayes and Ed Fritz for how much they had contributed to my achievements in the past two and a half years. My parents enjoyed the article. The sports writers at the paper were unanimous in predicting that we would beat Central. I hoped they were right.

Lots of kids congratulated me on Friday about the honor the paper gave me. Everyone I talked to wished the team luck for the game that night. I had trouble concentrating on school, I was too keyed about the game.