Chapter 17

Matt Horn started me on new exercises on Monday morning. He had me using an exercise bike set on the easiest setting for half an hour. My goal over the next four weeks was to increase the flexibility of my knee and to start to increase the strength in my knee. Matt wanted me to put in an hour a day on an exercise bike. Mom had one in the basement so it wasn't going to be a problem for me to do that. I asked when I would be able to start lifting weights again. Matt told me that would wait a few more weeks.

Penny and I hung out before and between classes. We ate lunch together. We shared three classes. It was great to be able to spend time at school with my girlfriend. We studied together on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

The coaches introduced us to the game plan for our game on Friday night with Governor Pinchot High School. The Foresters had an excellent quarterback. Last year their defense was suspect but they had improved dramatically this season. Coach Wyndham and Coach Fisher drilled our defense on playing their positions. We expected to blitz often so every DB would have to cover their man on their own.

Coach Caffrey kept practice easy. He wanted everyone well rested for the playoffs. The guys reviewed and walked through the plays in the game plan but we didn't do any hitting.

After practice on Wednesday Coach Caffrey called the whole team together. He called for quiet. "I imagine many of you know what I have in my hand." He held up a piece of paper. "The honors list has been released for this season. As suits an undefeated team, we have placed a few players on this list. Please come to the front of the group if I call your name. I'll read the all-conference honors first. Second String Free Safety – Nick Zeimer. Second String Outside Linebacker – Nathan Yuninger. First String Outside Linebacker – George Reynolds. First String Defensive Tackle – Joey Keller. Second String Offensive Center – Adam Diem. First String Offensive Tackle – Jerry Morton. First String Wide Receiver and First String Punt Returner – Andrew Martin. Second String Kicker – Hal Long. Let's give this gentleman three cheers." Our team cheered for our teammates.

Coach Caffrey continued, "Our team has increased its profile state-wide and that is reflected on the All-State honors list. We have placed three members of our team on that prestigious list. Would All-State First String Linebacker Jeremy North please come forward." Jeremy came forward beside Coach Caffrey to the sound of applause. "Would All-State First Team Tight End Greg Harrison come forward." Greg stood beside Jeremy. "Would All-State First Team Quarterback Ed Fritz please come forward."

Everyone cheered and applauded my best friend. Coach Caffrey asked, "Let's have three cheers for Ed, Greg and Jeremy." The team cheered wildly for my friends.

Coach Caffrey called for quiet. "There is one more team member I want to recognize even though he isn't on the honors list. 'Coach' Martin, please come forward." I blushed and came to the front. Coach Caffrey put one hand on my left shoulder. "'Coach' is still our leading receiver even though he only played half the games in our season. He hasn't played in the required minimum of seven games, so he isn't eligible for the honors list. I want to commend 'Coach' for all the work he has done for the team since his injury to help us be successful. He helps Coach Baer instruct the receivers. Two days after his knee surgery 'Coach' was studying the 30 game tapes I sent him to help the other coaches prepare for our potential playoff opponents. 'Coach' deserves three cheers for every thing he does on field and off to help our team." My friends and teammates cheered and applauded me while I blushed again.

Coach Caffrey dismissed the team. He asked me to talk to him in his office. I followed him to his office and asked, "What's up, Coach?"

Coach Caffrey answered, "I want you to know Kyle that I meant every word I said a couple minutes ago. You are invaluable to this team."

"Thanks for the compliment, Coach."

Coach Caffrey asked, "Are you all right with not making the honors list, Kyle?"

"I'm a little disappointed. I knew I wouldn't be on the list, but it would be nice to get recognition for my play."

"If you play next year like you did this year, you WILL be all-state again."

I replied, "Thanks for the encouragement, Coach. I appreciate it. Can I ask you one more question?"

"Shoot," Coach Caffrey replied.

"How did Trent Wilson and Christian Hunsecker do? Are they on the honors list?"

"Wilson is All-Conference First String Cornerback. Not surprisingly, Hunsecker is All-State Second String Wide Receiver. You should know that. You have covered him."

"Thanks, Coach." I said as I walked out the door.

The football boosters plastered the town with signs encouraging our team to beat the Foresters. The town was decorated in our red and white team colors. They put lawn signs in front of each player's house. Our house sported two. Andy's said:

All-Conference

WR-PR

85

Andrew

Martin

Mine said:

WR-Coach

87

Kyle

Martin

Everyone at school on Friday encouraged me and my teammates to beat Pinchot that evening. The school day dragged on too long. I was anxious for the game to start. The team gathered for our final walk-through and team dinner. After dinner we boarded our buses for the ride to Elizabethtown.

The game was played at the college stadium. I waited while my teammates dressed for our game. We headed outside to warm up. I looked across the field at the Pinchot players. They didn't look particularly big. I was confident that our spread offense would work on them. We headed back inside for our final preparations.

Coach Caffrey called for everyone's attention. "Gentlemen. Three and a half months ago we set a goal for our team. We want to play for the state championship. We completed the regular season undefeated. That's excellent. It also means nothing tonight. We are even with the other fifteen teams in the district playoffs. If we win tonight we get to play again. If we lose, we go home. We need to play smart, disciplined, hard hitting football if we are going to win. Go out tonight and show the Foresters what Wolverines football is all about. Everyone circle up and put your hands in."

Greg yelled, "Where are we going?"

Our team chanted "State Championship!"

Greg yelled, "On three, Excellence. 1... 2... 3..."

"EXCELLENCE!" we screamed. We headed out for the introductions. I followed Justin, Coach Fisher and Coach Rodgers upstairs to the press box. We settled in for the evening.

Our team lost the coin toss. Pinchot received the ball. Pinchot's QB played well against us last year. He had improved since our last meeting. He moved his team downfield crisply keeping our defense off balance. He used five runs and four passes to score the touchdown. We were down 7-0 when they made the PAT.

Ed and our offense took the field in our three receiver set. We kept the Foresters spread out. We set them up with four straight running plays. They bit on the bait on the fifth play, a play action pass. Andy streaked downfield behind the defensive backs and caught Ed's pass and carried it into the end zone. Hal made the PAT. Score: 7-7

We traded touchdowns in the first half. On Pinchot's third possession we managed to hold them to a field goal. We ended up settling for a field goal on our next possession too when Josh Babcock was called for holding on third and goal. The penalty called back the touchdown Greg had caught.

The score was 24-24 with a 1:18 left in the half when we finally managed to stop Pinchot from scoring on a drive. We had a trick special teams play planned for them. We lined up with Tim Showalter deep on the left. Andy lined up deep on the right. The Foresters punted the ball away from Andy as we expected. Tim caught the punt and started laterally across the field. Andy ran past Tim and took the ball. Two of the cover guys followed Tim too far to the right. Andy turned up field with the ball and shot through the gap in the coverage. Andy stiffed armed the punter and ran in for a touchdown. Hal kicked the PAT through to give us our first lead 31-24.

We kicked the ball back to Pinchot. Coach Wyndham disguised the coverage enough to confuse their quarterback. He still managed to push our defense down the field, but not quickly enough to score before the half ran out.

The coaches and I talked during halftime. We decided we had played enough fast break football for the night. It was time to play keep away. We would use our big offensive line to pound the ball at them until their defense was worn out. This had the added benefit of keeping the ball out of their quarterback's hands.

Tim got us good field position on the second half kickoff. We threatened deep with Andy and Karl on most plays, but actually ran up the gut of their defense. We stuffed the ball in the end zone after 11 running plays and 2 passes. Hal kicked the PAT to bring the score to 38-24 Wolverines.

Coach Wyndham started blitzing now that we had a 14 point lead. The defense kept Pinchot off balance enough that they had to settle for a field goal. We took the field and did another long pounding drive that used up 7 ½ minutes. Andy finished the drive by catching a touchdown in the corner of the end zone. Hal brought the score to 45-27 when he booted the PAT through the up rights.

In spite of two sacks on their next drive, Pinchot managed to get the ball in the end zone. It was the last time they got to touch the ball. Ed alternated handing off to Drew and Marcus on an 8 minute, clock killing drive. Hal kicked a 21 yard field goal with three seconds left in the game to bring the final score to 48-34 Wolverines favor.

We celebrated our win a little, but only a little. Everyone on the team planned to play and win four more football games before our season was over. Tonight was a good start for our playoff drive.

I was hanging out in the locker room while my friends changed. I was sitting near Greg. Greg asked, "Do you know what I'm doing this weekend?"

"No, what?"

"My parents and I are going to Boston College for an official visit tomorrow. We fly out of Harrisburg first thing in the morning. The college will pick us up at the airport and drive us straight to the game with Syracuse tomorrow afternoon. After that I have dinner with the coach. They have offered me a full scholarship to play for them."

"That's great, Greg," I said. "Are you going to accept it?"

"I don't know. I did a visit to Maryland two weeks ago. They are nice too. Purdue and North Carolina State have offered full scholarships. I have a visit to NC State in a few weeks and a visit to Purdue after Christmas. I'm going to keep my options open until then."

"I'm happy for you. I hope I get a chance to choose among a bunch of scholarship offers next year."

"You will, Kyle," Greg said. "You'll get your knee back in shape. You will have more schools recruiting you than you know what to do with. Count on it."

"Have fun this weekend. Tell me about the visit next week so I know if I should put them on my list of colleges." I answered.

My scout troop was going on a backpacking trip that weekend. Obviously I wasn't going along. I slept in on Saturday morning since I had nothing pressing that I needed to do that day. I thought about Ed, Hal, Jeremy and Andy sweating as they slogged up the first mountain on their hike while I enjoyed the warmth of my bed.

I went downstairs and prepared my lunch. I got a shock when I read the newspaper. Central had been routed last night. They lost 45-3 to Gettysburg. I had studied the tapes of Gettysburg High School. They had a decent team, but certainly not good enough to do this to Central.

I called Trent Wilson after I was finished with lunch. When Trent answered the phone I said, "Hi Trent. It's Kyle."

"Hi, Kyle. Congratulations on your victory."

"Thanks. I called to extend my sympathy about your loss. What happened?"

Trent paused. "I'm so pissed off. Jay, our idiot quarterback, and his buddies on the offensive line really screwed our team. They got arrested last Saturday at a party for underage drinking. The six of them were suspended from school for a week and kicked off the football team for the rest of the year."

"Is that what happened?" I said. "I'm sorry to hear it."

"We played the game last night with a sophomore starting his first game at quarterback. We had four sophomores and a freshman for our offensive line. Caleb is a good kid. He'll be a good quarterback some day. Yesterday wasn't the day."

"I'm really sorry, Trent. I expected we'd be playing you again this year. This is a hell of a way to end your high school career."

"IT SUCKS!" Trent answered vehemently.

"Have you decided what you're going to do for college?" I asked, desperately wanting to change the subject to something less sensitive for Trent.

"I'm going to accept the scholarship from the University of Delaware."

"Congratulations. I think you made a good choice, Trent. You'll enjoy playing with Andy Groff. He's a good friend of mine."

"I met Andy on my official visit. He was my guide," Trent explained. "Andy helped convince me to go to Delaware."

Trent asked about my knee and how my recovery was going. I filled him in on my ups and downs.

I asked, "Hey Trent. Are you and Ashley interested in a double date sometime?"

Trent asked, "Have you given up on having a girlfriend in Iowa?"

"It was Nebraska. Yes I have, Trent. It just didn't work out."

"Who are you dating now?" Trent asked.

"Penny Edwards. I don't think you have met her. She was my first girlfriend. We have decided to give our relationship a second try."

"I hope it works out for the two of you. When do you want to do this double date?"

I explained, "After my team is done with football. Maybe over Christmas break."

Trent asked skeptically, "After football? You aren't playing now."

"I'm still a part of the team. I teach the other receivers techniques to improve their game. I help the coaches in the press box. I do whatever I can to help our team win."

Trent said, "I'm happy for you, Kyle. Who do you play next week?"

I smiled. "Pottsville. We get our chance for revenge for them knocking us out of the playoffs last year. I can't wait."

"I'll be rooting for you guys from now on. Good luck next Friday night. Keep in touch. We'll set up the double date with Penny when you're ready."

"Thanks, Trent. Talk to you later."

"Bye, Kyle."

Penny and I went out for dinner together on Saturday night. We settled on Friendlys. It was within my fairly limited budget. Penny and I talked about her role in the play. Aunt Mabel, Penny's part, and Aunt Abby were key roles in the play. She and Kaitlin Summers, who played Aunt Abby, poisoned their boarders one by one during the course of the play. Harry Zimmerman, who played their nephew Mortimer, tried to cover up the murders.

Play practice was going to start right after Thanksgiving. Penny was going to get very busy about the time I was done with football. The two of us agreed to try to make as much time as possible for each other. I agreed to help Penny memorize her lines for the play. It would give me some time with her.

I told Penny about some of the colleges I wanted to attend if they offered me a scholarship. Penny had her heart set on the University of Pennsylvania. They have an excellent veterinary program. Penny had decided to become a veterinarian. I was about 95% sure I wanted to be a teacher and football coach. Occasionally I still thought about becoming an architect.

We headed out to Penny's mini-van after I paid for our dinner. It was around 7 o'clock. I asked, "What so you want to do tonight?"

"How about bowling, Kyle?" Penny asked.

"Not for a few more weeks. My therapist says I should avoid that sort of activity for another month. How about stopping by Blockbuster for a video?"

"No, we've done that a lot lately." Penny said.

"Maybe we could find some privacy and..."

Penny smiled. "That could be fun, Kyle. Are your parents home?"

"Yes. How about yours?"

Penny answered, "Mine are home too."

"We could find somewhere to park. You know, make out and uh ... you know."

Penny giggled. "You don't need to be so polite. You'd like to screw. You can say it, Kyle. I'd like to do that too."

"OK. I'd like to screw, get laid, to fuck; what ever term you want to use. I haven't had many opportunities since Julie went to Nebraska."

"I know the feeling, Kyle. I haven't slept with anyone since Brandon and I broke up Labor Day weekend until last weekend. Do you know where we could go?"

I smiled. "I know of a place we can park with lots of privacy. It's a dirt lane south of Strasburg. I'll tell you how to get there."

Penny and I headed south for the spot Trent and I used last year with our girlfriends. Penny and I had three hours until our curfew. We used nearly every minute of our time to pleasure each other.

I ate her pussy until she had multiple orgasms. She fellated me until I shot a load of cum down her throat. We joined our bodies together three times. By the time we orgasmed the final time we were completely spent. Satisfied, satiated, but exhausted. Penny and I cuddled together for a few minutes before we dressed and headed for home.

On the way home I said to Penny, "I'm the luckiest guy in the world to be with you. I love you."

"I'm happy that we are back together, Kyle. I haven't had anyone do that to me that well since we broke up last year."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Penny. I hope you don't mind being on top all the time. It will be awhile before me knee is strong enough to kneel."

"I'll manage, Kyle. Some how I'll manage." Penny answered. She drove us home. We made sure we looked presentable before we went back to our houses.

The coaches introduced everyone to the game plan for Pottsville on Monday afternoon. The plan wasn't really much different than what we planned for last year's playoff game. The coaches did add a few more running plays we thought would work if we faced bad weather again. We didn't expect that kind of storm this year.

Pottsville's players were big, but didn't look particularly fast. We were going to spread them out and make them worry about the deep pass to Andy or Drew. Then Drew and Marcus will have room to run the ball on them. All we needed to make the plan work was decent weather.

Coach Caffrey kept the workouts easy during the week. The guys walked through the plays and learned to recognize Pottsville's tendencies. The only real work at practice was our traditional three mile run that always concluded practice. No one on the team was bothered by the runs after three and half months of them.

Wednesday afternoon Coach Caffrey wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving holiday and told us to be back to the school by 5 pm on Friday for the team dinner and bus ride to Elizabethtown.

Will and Abby came home on Wednesday night while Penny and I were reading lines for Penny's play. I gave Abby a hug and kiss when they arrived.

Will asked, "How's your knee, little brother?"

"It's getting better, shorty." I answered to my older, two inch shorter brother. I filled Abby and Will in my progress at rehabilitating my knee.

Abby said, "I'm surprised to see you here tonight, Penny."

Penny answered, "Kyle and I have been studying together a few times a week since school started."

I gave my girlfriend a kiss. "We're doing more than studying together. Penny agreed to be my girlfriend again. We've been a couple the last two weeks."

Abby said, "Congratulations. I'm happy for you."

Will added, "That's good. My brother has excellent taste in women." We talked about the happenings at school and around town for a few minutes. Penny and I filled Will and Abby on what the Venturer Crew was doing.

Will asked, "Are you planning to work at scout camp next summer?"

I answered, "Of course."

Will asked, "Still planning on working in Aquatics?"

"If Joe still wants me." I replied.

Will smiled. "You'll be working in Aquatics, Kyle. Do you have Trent Wilson's phone number? I need to talk to him too." I gave Will Trent's number. Will asked, "Where's Andy at?"

"He went to Shannon Phillips' house tonight to, uh ... study. At least he claims they are studying. Andy is working on convincing Shannon to go steady with him," I explained.

Will answered, "I know. Andy told me about Shannon in his last e-mail." Will gave Penny a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I'm glad you're back with my brother, Penny. It's good to have you as a part of the family. I'll see you later, I have to take Abby home and make a few phone calls."

Penny and I went back to reading lines. I had a bed time snack with Penny before she headed for home. I was upstairs in my bedroom when Will found me again.

Will asked, "Do you have a few minutes?"

"Sure."

"I wanted to talk to you about scout camp. I had a couple things to settle before I could tell you my news. Joe Gieger won't be back at camp this summer."

"Jeez. Who is going to be the Aquatics Director?" I asked.

Will smiled. "I am. I've been talking with Mr. Holloway for a few weeks. We want to get the senior staff positions filled early. It will give us a chance to improve training for the rest of the camp staff if we settle these kinds of things early."

"Congratulations Will."

Will asked, "Do you want to work at the boat yard again or at the pool?"

"I had fun at the boat yard last summer. I'd like to work there again if I can. Who is going to be in charge there? Is Justin going to do it?" I asked. I was referring to Justin Finnegan, who worked at the boat yard for two summers with Will.

"No. Jim Hardy isn't coming back. Justin will be my assistant director for the pool. You will be working with Trent if that is OK with you. Trent is going to be the assistant director for the boat yard."

"Cool! It sounds like I'm going to have fun next summer. Trent and I will make a good team." I said.

"I'm counting on the two of you." Will said. Will headed next door to the bedroom he shared with Andy when he was home.

Dad, Will, Andy and I sacked out in the family room watching football on TV all Thanksgiving afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks and Abby came over later in the afternoon. Mr. Hendricks joined us so he could watch the game. Will headed for the kitchen so he could spend time with his fiancé.

Mom, Mrs. Hendricks, Abby and Liz outdid themselves with our dinner. Everything was delicious. I wished Penny could have joined us. She went to her grandparent's house for the day.

We had just finished the pumpkin pie when Dad asked, "When are you allowed to drive, Kyle?"

"About a week and a half from now," I answered.

"That's what I thought, Kyle. How many more hours on the road do you need?" Dad asked.

"Eight hours," I answered.

Dad said, "That's what I thought. You and I are going car shopping tomorrow."

"Cool! Thanks Dad!" I exclaimed.

"Don't get too excited, Kyle. This is a third car for the family, not your personal car. You will share it with Andy when he is old enough to drive. That's only a little more than a year away." Dad said.

"I like the idea of us getting another car, but can I ask why now?"

Mom answered, "My boss is getting tired of how often I have to take off from work to take you to rehab. Your father and I want to help you get the last hours of driving practice in as soon as possible so you can drive yourself to rehab."

Andy interjected, "If this new car is for me too, can I go along when you shop for it?"

Dad answered, "It's a used car Andrew and yes you may go along."

"Cool. Thanks, Dad," Andrew answered.

Dad added, "I want both of you boys to understand what I am looking for. I want an old, cheap car with high mileage."

"Any car sounds good, Dad," I said.

This surprise development certainly added to my enjoyment of the holiday meal. I was going to have access to a car at least three days a week to drive to school. That's really cool.

Mom dropped me off at the Orthopedic Center while she and Liz went to the mall. I did my rehab with Matt while they were gone. I had to wait awhile after rehab was done until Mom returned to take me home. We got home in time for lunch.

I had hoped to spend the afternoon with Penny but she, her sister Nikki and her mom went shopping on Black Friday. I don't know why they like shopping so much. I wouldn't go within ten miles of a mall on that day.

Will gave Andy, Ed and me a ride to the school for our team dinner Friday. The football boosters put on a nice spread of food for us. It was fun having dinner with our teammates. We treated the meal as our team's "Thanksgiving" dinner. Everyone loaded their gear in the buses after dinner. We headed west for Elizabethtown College. This was our sixth game there in three years. It was beginning to feel like our home field.

I followed my friends out to watch warm ups. The stands were filling with our fans dressed in red and white and with fans dressed in crimson for the Pottsville Crimson Tide.

I could make out a few stars in the sky through the flood of lights in the stadium. It was warm for the day after Thanksgiving. The temperature had almost hit 60 during the day. The weather forecast said it would drop down into the high 40's overnight. There wasn't any breeze. This weather was a complete contrast to last year's blizzard when we lost to Pottsville. I hoped the weather was an omen of good fortune for us.

The coaches herded the team back into the locker room for the final talk before our game. As had become tradition over the past three years, Coach Caffrey invited past team members to meet with us before the game. Zack Hayes was asked to give the pre-game pep talk.

Zack said, "I'm honored to address you today. I thought it wasn't that long ago that I played here, but I only see nine of you who were my teammates when we first went to the playoffs two years ago. When I come back next year there will be one player left who played with me. It reminds how quickly a high school football career passes by. You are in the hunt for the state championship this year. You never know if you will be back again. Play hard and do your best to take advantage of the opportunity you have. I've played football long enough to know we have a great coach in Coach Caffrey. I know he has an excellent game plan ready for you. Go out there and execute. Take full advantage of the opportunity in front of you."

Greg and Ed lead our team in our excellence cheer. We mingled with the past players for a few minutes until it was time for the introductions. I talked with Rick Winters, Stan Humphreys and Andy Groff. Zack's brother Sam made it along with Andy's older brother Bill. I saw Sam, Bill and Justin swapping stories from their playoff run a few years ago. We headed outside after five minutes.

Pottsville won the coin toss. Hal kicked the ball into the end zone and the Crimson Tide started on the 20 yard line. Pottsville's first drive didn't provide us with any surprises. They still had a big offensive line and liked to run the ball at you. Their top two runners split time at tailback. Joey, Travis, Luke and Austin, our defensive line, held their own against Pottsville's offensive line. They kept Jeremy, George and Nathan free to plug up holes and stop the running plays.

We stopped them after a nine play drive that gained 26 yards. They punted the ball back to my brother. Andy made the first two tacklers miss and gained twenty-one yards to put us on our 46 yard line.

Coach Caffrey wanted to remind the Tide about our deep game immediately. We did a play action pass. Pottsville covered Andy with a cornerback and the free safety. The rest of the defense crowded the line to stop Drew's fake "run". Andy out ran the cornerback and jumped over the free safety to grab the pass. Andy dragged the safety five yards downfield before help came to tackle him. Andy had gained 46 yards to put us on Pottsville's 9 yard line.

We made a very loud statement to Pottsville. We pounded the ball right up the middle on them on three successive plays to score a touchdown. Hal kicked the PAT to make the score 7-0 Wolverines.

Pottsville responded on the next drive. They took the ball at their 22 yard line and ran it at us; sometimes inside, sometimes outside. It took them 13 plays, but they pushed our defense back into our red zone (inside our 20 yard line). With the short field, our safeties could play up. We managed to stop them on third and short. They kicked a field goal to bring the score to 7-3 Wolverines.

Tim took the kickoff out to our 27 yard line. Coach Caffrey called for an off-tackle run. The Tide's players lined up. Drew blasted into their line for a six yard gain.

Justin nudged me in the ribs and asked, "Dude, did you see that?"