Chapter 24

I headed for the shower after Penny left. I took a leisurely shower since I wouldn’t have time to go to church that day. Ed, Andy and I were leaving at 11 am for scout camp. Andy was standing outside the bathroom door when I finished. I dressed in my scout uniform and went downstairs for breakfast.

Mom, Dad and Liz were getting ready to leave for church. Mom greeted me with a kiss and a hug. She said, “Have fun this summer, Kyle. Be careful.”

“I will be, Mom. Remember I’ll be home Friday afternoon before I go up to Penn State for football camp.”

“I know,” Mom said with a smile. “Is your brother up?”

“Andy is in the shower.”

Mom went upstairs to say good bye to him. Dad and Liz went outside to warm the car up while they waited for Mom. She came downstairs and headed out. I made myself bacon and eggs. Andy joined me about fifteen minutes later.

Andy said, “It sounds like you and Penny had fun last night.”

“We did.”

“And this morning too.”

“Oh, you heard that?” I asked.

“Yes, the noise woke me up.”

“Sorry,” I answered.

“It’s cool, Kyle,” Andy said. He poured himself some cereal. “Crystal gave me some good news last night. She is going on birth control. When I get home in August I won’t need to use rubbers anymore.”

“That’s good. What kind is she using?”

“I don’t know. She didn’t say.”

Andy and I finished our breakfast and cleaned up after ourselves. We loaded our gear in the back of my Golf. Our set of weights went in first followed by our packs. There would be room in the back of the car for Andy and Ed’s gear this year.

I organized my bags for my trip to Penn State’s football camp while I waited for Ed to arrive. I wasn’t going to have much time next Friday afternoon when I came home from camp before driving to State College for the weekend.

I had just finished a final e-mail to Penny when Ed knocked at the door. Andy and I headed out to the car to load everything up. We loaded all of Ed’s things in the back seat with Andy. Ed and I climbed in and headed for Lancaster and scout camp. We stopped at Mickey D’s for lunch on the way.

After lunch I asked Ed, “Did you and Lindsey get a chance to say a proper good bye last night?”

“We did. We told our parents we were going bowling. We actually went parking. We had a good evening. How about you and Penny?”

“She spent the night last night,” I answered. “I have a lot of good memories for late at night during camp.”

Ed asked, “How about you and your girlfriend, Andy?”

“Officially Crystal and I aren’t going steady.”

“Really?” I asked. “I thought the two of you were a couple.”

“Not yet. I would have asked her a week ago if it wasn’t for camp. I don’t think it would be fair to ask her to go steady with me when I was going to be away for ten weeks,” Andy explained. “I know she would have said yes if I asked, but I didn’t think I should ask her yet.”

Ed said, “I guess that make sense.”

Andy added, “Crystal and I did have a good time last night. I just wish her parents were as cool as the Edwards. It would have been nice if she could have stayed over last night like Penny.”

Ed looked at me and said, “You are a lucky son of a bitch.”

“I know that. Penny and I don’t push our luck,” I explained. “We only do this on special occasions.” The conversation shifted to camp and who was coming back for the summer.

We arrived at camp about fifteen minutes early. We checked in at the office and then parked my car down by the staff site so we could move our belongings into our tents. Ed and I moved into the same tent we had used for the last two years. Andy ran into Travis Hastings, his tent mate last year. They agreed to stay together again.

Trent Wilson arrived a few minutes after Ed, Andy and me. Trent moved into the empty tent beside mine. Trent, Ed, Andy, Travis and I headed to the health lodge for the medical check.

Andy led the way into the lodge. Andy greeted Abby with a hug and kiss. She checked his medical over and dismissed him. I stepped up next. I greeted her with a hug and a kiss too. “Are you settling in?”

“I think so,” Abby answered. She looked over my medical.

Trent whispered to me, “Jesus, are we all supposed to kiss the nurse?”

I laughed. “No. Haven’t you met my future sister-in-law?” Trent indicated he hadn’t. I introduced Abby to Trent and Travis.

We headed over to the pool for our swim tests. Will greeted us when we got there. “It’s about time you guys got here. Kyle, Trent and Andy, I want you three to take your swim tests first. When you are done Andy, I want you to make out buddy tags for the staff as they finish the test. Kyle and Trent, you will help me run the tests.”

Trent and I ran Ed and Travis through the test. They left when they were done. They teased me about them having free time while I had to work. I reminded them that the Aquatics staff members were the hardest workers in camp.

Justin Finnegan, Will’s Assistant Aquatics Director for the pool arrived about fifteen minutes later. Will took Justin to the filter room to review operations and maintenance of the equipment while Trent and I did swim tests for the rest of the camp staff.

I greeted all my friends on staff as we did the tests. Most of the guys I knew were back again. We finished the swim tests around 3:30. Will told us we had about fifteen minutes until we had to meet in the dining hall for staff orientation.

Mr. Holloway, the camp director, introduced the senior staff. Rob Young was back as the Program Director. Jerry McMichael was back running the Pioneer scout program for first year scouts. He was Ed’s boss. Aquatics was the only program area that had significant change in personnel.

The camp added 19 new CIT’s. Ten of last years CIT’s came back as paid staff this year, including Andy. Mr. Holloway had everyone introduce themselves. He went over his expectations for our work and behavior while we were at camp.

After dinner Mr. Holloway and Rob Young reviewed the Boy Scout Advancement system and how to teach merit badges. We finally had free time around 9 pm. Will, Ed, Andy, Trent and I retired to my tent for a weight lifting session and our three and a half mile run. I lagged behind a little on this run. I had only worked my way up to three miles at home recently.

Most of the staff spent the day on Monday setting up tents, dining flies, cots and picnic tables in the campsites. The Order of the Arrow workers had set up half of the camp the previous weekend. They helped a lot, but weren’t able to do everything we needed to have camp ready for the first group of campers the following week.

Monday evening Mr. Holloway and Rob Young did a training session on how to teach scouts. Ed, Andy and I checked the staff lounge after we were done in the evening. The computers hadn’t been set up yet so we couldn’t check for e-mail from our girlfriends.

Tuesday after breakfast we went back to work setting up the last four campsites in the camp. We finished three of them before lunch and headed up the hill to the farthest out site to finish.

I was helping Trent, Dave Royer, Andy and Travis Hastings move a picnic table into the site. Dave and I were walking backwards carrying the front of the table while Andy and Travis carried the back across the campsite. I was backing up so I couldn’t see where I was going. My left foot slipped into a gopher hole while we walked. I went down instantly. Dave couldn’t manage the weight of half the table alone and dropped it. The table went down, the left table leg barely missing me. Dave, Andy and Travis all ended up on their asses.

Andy laughed and said, “Well, that was graceful.”

I laughed with the other guys. I scrambled out from under the table and tried to stand. Shit! My ankle throbbed and I went down again.

Andy asked, “Are you OK, Kyle?” Dave and Travis echoed his question.

“I’m not sure.” I sat up and felt my ankle, the source of the pain. Nothing felt out of place. I carefully stood, keeping most of my weight on my right leg. So far, so good. I put a little weight on my left leg. It hurt, but not too bad. “I think I sprained it,” I admitted.

Dave said, “You sit down for a few minutes, Kyle.” Dave turned to the work party finishing tents nearby. “Ryan, get over here. Help us with this table.”

I hobbled over to the nearest tent platform and sat down. I massaged my ankle while the four guys put the table under the dining fly in the center of the campsite. The work crew finished setting up the campsite a few minutes later. Dave and Andy came over to check me out.

Dave asked, “How’s your ankle?”

I answered, “I think it’s OK. It is swelling a little but I’ll be OK.”

Dave asked, “Can you walk on it?”

“I’ll try.” I stood and gently put weight on the ankle. It didn’t feel too bad. I took a step. It hurt, but I could take it. “I’ll be OK,” I answered.

Dave said, “Good.” He yelled to the whole group, “Let’s go. Head back to the maintenance building. The Ranger has a few more things for us to set up this afternoon before the staff swim. Let’s move it!”

I started for the road. I wasn’t moving too fast. Dave asked, “Can you walk the whole way, Kyle? I could give you a ride.”

“I’ll be OK.” I said. I limped after the work crew. Dave headed to the far side of the campsite for his truck. Dave was the Ranger’s assistant. He was one of only three camp staff members who were allowed to drive the camp trucks.

I didn’t get more than a hundred yards before I started to regret my bravado. My ankle started to throb. Fortunately Dave stopped in his truck before he passed me.

Dave asked, “Are you sure you don’t want a ride?”

“I’ll take you up on that offer.” I climbed in the truck. My ankle was really hurting now. “Maybe you better drop me off at the Health Lodge.”

“You got it, Kyle,” Dave answered. He drove me down the hill to the Health Lodge. I thanked him and limped in to see Abby.

Abby came out to meet me in the waiting room as soon as she heard the front door slam. “Good grief! Did you hurt your knee?” she asked.

“No. My knee is fine. I stepped in a gopher hole while I was helping move a picnic table. I think I sprained my ankle.”

“Come in and have a seat on the exam table.” I followed Abby into her office and hopped up on the table. Abby pulled my shoes and socks off. She examined my left ankle and compared it with my right ankle. She had me stand and try to walk. I managed with only a little pain.

After a minute’s exam Abby said, “It’s not broken. You have some swelling. I believe you have a Grade II sprain. You have some stretching or slight tearing of these ligaments.” She indicated the ligaments on the outside of my ankle. “I’m going to wrap your ankle in an ace bandage. I’d like you to...”

I interrupted, “I know. Ice it. Elevate it and rest it. Is that right?”

“Yes. That’s exactly right,” Abby answered.

“Been there, done that.”

“I’ll want you to take a couple ibuprofens, Kyle.” Abby took the tablets from the cabinet. I took them with a little water. Abby helped me get my socks and shoes on. She gave me an ice pack. I headed back to my tent to lie down and ice my ankle.

Trent, Andy and Ed checked on me after the staff swim was done. My ankle didn’t hurt too much. It was close to dinner time. Ed and I cleaned up and changed into our uniforms. After dinner Mr. Holloway, Rob, Abby and Will reviewed the camp emergency procedures for all sorts of possible situations. Abby reviewed basic first aid treatment for scouts if we had an accident in our program areas.

The training was over earlier than the previous evenings. Ed, Andy and I headed for the staff lounge. We set up the computers in the lounge and retrieved our e-mails from the past few days. All of us had several e-mails from our girlfriends. We sent off our replies to Lindsey, Penny and Crystal.

I lifted with Ed, Trent, Andy and Will. I skipped the run. My ankle was swelling again. I iced it down and rested on my bunk. I went to sleep right after Ed came back from the run.

My ankle swelled up over night. I wrapped it up with my ace bandage and limped through the day. Abby gave me more ibuprofen. It hurt, but it was bearable.

Wednesday was set up day for the merit badge program areas. Trent and I spent the day checking and cleaning PFDs, inspecting canoes and rowboats, and checking the oars and paddles. I reviewed my planned lessons for Canoeing Merit Badge with Trent in the afternoon. Trent went over his plans for Rowing Merit Badge. Trent wanted me to be familiar with teaching his badge in case he needed to have me cover for him some time.

Will had the whole aquatic staff down at the boat yard on Thursday. Trent and I reviewed skills and merit badge requirements with everyone. When that was done, Will, Trent and I tested the staff members on their skills on the water. All the guys did a good job.

My ankle was still a little sore but the swelling was gone in my ankle by Thursday. I decided to go on the run with the rest of my crew. I kept up the first mile but fell behind after that. I turned back while Will, Ed, Andy and Trent ran on. I ended up walking the last half mile to the staff area. I stopped off at the staff lounge to check my e-mail. I sent off the day’s message to Penny.

On Friday Will sent Kevin Forbes and Dustin Carter to learn the waterfront program. Kevin and Dustin were going to be our CIT’s next week. Kevin was going to help Trent next week. Dustin was mine. I had him demonstrate his canoeing skills in the morning. He seemed ready to handle things.

I stopped at the camp office before lunch. When I accepted the job I got permission to take off two weekends during the camp season. I needed to leave around noon to get to the football camp at Penn State by the 6 pm check-in time. Mr. Holloway told me to have fun this weekend. I promised that I should be back between 10 and 11 pm on Sunday night. I loaded a few things in my Golf and headed for home.

I grabbed lunch at the drive through at a Burger King in Lancaster on my way home. I showered and changed to regular clothes when I got home. I wanted to go over to the Edward’s house to see Penny, but I knew she was working. Mom and Dad were at work too. I didn’t know where Liz was. There wasn’t any sign of her at home. I looked over the map and detailed directions Dad left me. He was worried about me driving to State College on my own. It was my first long distance trip alone. I loaded my sports duffle with my gear for the weekend. I left a note for Mom and Dad and headed west for Penn State.

Dad’s directions were easy to follow for the first 45 minutes of my drive. Things got interesting when I got to Harrisburg. I followed I-283 north when I got to the Pennsylvania Turnpike interchange. Two miles further north was the dreaded Eisenhower Interchange. Dad’s directions were perfect. He put me in the correct lane to follow I-83 north to I-81. Without Dad’s help I’m sure I would have ended up in York or Hershey instead of continuing around Harrisburg. I had no trouble finding Rt. 322 when I merged onto I-81. The rest of the drive up 322 was easy.

I stopped off in Lewistown for an early dinner. It took me half an hour to get to State College. I turned off onto Park Avenue. The road looked familiar thanks to my fall visit. I passed the stadium and turned left onto University Drive. I drove a block south past Curtin Avenue and turned into the designated parking lot beside the Shields building. The directions I received told me to check in at the Intramural Building across the street from the parking lot between 5 pm and 6 pm. It was 5:15, so I was right on time.

I went inside. The registration table had four lines, organized by last names: A-F, G-K, M-R, S-Z. Four guys were in front of me in the M-R line. The line hadn’t moved before two more kids joined me. The guy closer to me asked, “Is this your first time at a Penn State football camp?”

I answered, “Yes, it’s my first time. How about you?”

“No. I came to Offense & Defense Camp last summer.” He extended his hand to me. “I’m Bill Robinson.”

I shook his hand. “I’m Kyle Martin.”

The guy behind Bill extended his hand to me. “I’m Corey Owens.” I shook Corey’s hand. The three of us compared personal information. Bill’s a quarterback who is going to be a senior in the fall. Corey was a tight end. He’s going to be a junior. I told them about myself. The conversation turned to why we came to this camp.

Bill replied, “My team lost in the quarterfinals of the playoff to a hot shot team from Lancaster County. We’re hoping to pick up some tips to help us beat them next season.”

Corey added, “I can’t believe that we lost in triple overtime when their QB ran a naked bootleg.”

The light bulb came on over my head. I asked, “Where are you from?”

Bill answered, “Upper Moreland.”

I said, “The way you guys pursued to the ball told us that we could get you to bite on that play. And you did – you bit hook, line and sinker.”

Bill and Corey stared at me. Corey finally asked, “You play for the Wolverines?”

“You bet; at least for the first five games of the season. I tore my ACL in the fifth game. I was watching the game against you guys from the press box with the other coaches.”

Bill shook his head. “I have to hand it to you guys. You played a hell of a game.”

“You guys did too. We were incredibly lucky to have won. You guys had a great team too.”

“Thanks. We’ll just have to play again next year. May the best team win.”

I answered, “I agree. May the best team win.”

The four guys in front of me had finished registering. I gave them my name. They gave me a name tag, a packet of information and my room assignment. The card said “316 McKean Hall”. The registrar sent me to a group of guys gathered at the other end of the gym. Bill and Corey joined me in a couple minutes. We talked until the crowd grew to around twenty kids.

A guy who was obviously a football player came out to greet us. He was nearly my height and probably had at least 50 pounds on me. He was wearing a gray and blue T-shirt marked Penn State Football. He introduced himself as Peter Klein. He was one of our camp counselors. He asked us to get our bags and meet him in front of the IM building in a few minutes.

Pete led us down Curtin Road toward the center of campus when we met again. He took us to the right when we got to the nearest dorm rooms. We passed the first one, which was marked as Pennypacker Hall. We followed Pete into the adjoining dorm. It had a sign on the side indicating that it was McKean Hall. Pete took us to the elevators.

He announced, “Guys with room assignments on the third floor, take the elevator and report to room 305. A counselor for your floor will get you your room keys and get you settled in. Good luck. If you are staying on the fourth floor, come with me.”

I asked Bill and Corey, “What rooms are you in?”

Bill said, “We’re both in 407.”

The elevator doors opened. Pete stepped in. Some guys followed him. I said, “I’ll see you guys in awhile I guess.”

Corey answered, “You bet. It’s good to meet you, Kyle.” Bill concurred.

Seven other guys waited with me for the next elevator. We headed up to the third floor. I looked around as I got out of the elevator. Room 305 was beside the elevator. Our group had just turned towards the counselor’s door when he came out. He was Aaron Morano!

Aaron smiled when he saw me and said, “Hey, Kyle! It’s about time you got here.”

“It’s good to see you. Are you the counselor?” I asked.

“You bet.” Aaron waved to us. “Come in my room. I’ll hand out your room keys.” We followed Aaron into room 305. He handed me a key. “You’re in 316, right?”

I took the key. “Yep, 316,” I confirmed. Aaron took names and handed out keys to the other seven guys.

Aaron announced, “It is 6:15 now. Move your things into your room. Some of you will find that your roommate is already here. Get comfortable. We will meet at the elevators at 7:15 tonight.” The group dispersed.

I hung out until the others left. “Aaron, is Zack around this weekend?”

Aaron laughed. “Wait a couple minutes. You’ll see him. He’s the other counselor for this floor. He went over to the IM Building to pick up the next group campers.”

“Cool. I’m going to move my things in. I’ll catch up with you guys in a little while.”

I went across the hall. Room 316 was just to the right of the elevators. I put the key in the lock. Someone inside called out, “It’s open. Come on in.”

I pulled my duffle bag inside. My roommate, presumably, stood from his bed and extended his hand to me. “I’m Chip Brinton. You must be my roommate.”

I set my bag down and shook his hand. “I’m Kyle Martin. It’s nice to meet you.”

Chip was about 6’-1” tall. He was thin. He might weight 160 pounds. His brown hair was long enough to cover his ears.

Chip asked, “Where are you from, Kyle?”

“Lancaster County, how about you?”

“We’re almost neighbors. I’m from Unionville in Chester County.”

“Unionville? I watched some game film of you guys. What position do you play?”

“Quarterback,” Chip answered. Chip gave me a funny look. “Why would you watch film of us?”

“I blew out my ACL in the middle of the last season. My coach had me break down video for possible playoff opponents.”

“Wow. That’s planning pretty far ahead. What team do you play for?”

I answered, “I’m a captain on the Wolverines. We’re from Paradise.”

“I know you guys. I watched you beat Upper Moreland in the playoffs. Your game was on cable. You guys made a lot of fans in Unionville that day when you beat the Golden Bears. They knocked us out of the playoffs the previous week.”

“We were very lucky that day,” I explained. “Any game that goes into triple overtime is too close for comfort. Do you know that Upper Moreland’s quarterback is here?”

“Is he?”

“He seems like a nice guy,” I said. “We talked while we waited to register.”

“I’ve met him too. He is a nice guy. But nice guy or not, Upper Moreland is the team that stands on our way. We DON’T like that team,” Chip explained.

“I understand. For my team it’s Central. They have dominated our league for two decades. We have only been competitive with them for the past couple years. In spite of them being our biggest rivals, I’m friends with a couple guys on their team.”

Yes, that’s exactly what I mean about Upper Moreland.”

I started to unpack my things, putting them in the closet behind the desk. This room was laid out the same way that Zack’s and Aaron’s room last fall. You walk in the door and find the closet along the inside wall, a space for a chair, a desk and then a bed that extends to the far wall of the room. The far wall had a large window that faces other dorms. The two sides of the room were mirror images of each other.

Chip and I talked while I unpacked. It turned out that Chip had turned 16 last month and was going to be a junior in the fall. He had taken his team to the playoffs as a sophomore last season. I told him about myself. Chip seemed like a nice guy. I was lucky to have him for a roommate.

We had a knock at the door about 7:10 pm. Chip opened it. Zack Hayes stuck his head inside. “Hey, Kyle. Glad you made it. Everything OK?”

“Things are good, Zack. I’m surprised to see you working as a counselor.”

“Coach Paterno needed some guys to do it and I could use the money,” Zack answered.

“That’s cool.”

“Everyone needs to meet Aaron and me at the elevators in five minutes,” Zack said. “Bring the notebook that you were given at registration. You are going to have a class room session this evening.”

“You got it, Zack,” I said.

“OK,” Chip answered quietly. Zack closed the door and headed down the hall to the next room. Chip looked at me. “Can you believe that? That was Zack Hayes! He’s the quarterback who won the bowl game against Auburn! I can’t believe it!”

“Yeah, that was Zack. Why?”

“You know him?” Chip asked.

“Sure,” I answered nonchalantly. I went on to explain how Zack went to my high school and was my friend and mentor. Chip was impressed, probably a little too impressed. It turned out that Chip’s dad and uncle were both Penn State grads. His family members were huge Penn State fans.

Chip and I grabbed our notebooks and headed for the elevators. I got another surprise. Chip and I were waiting for the group when Christian Hunsecker came around the corner with another guy wearing a Central Football T-shirt. Christian and I greeted each other. Christian introduced me to Caleb Sommers. Caleb was the young kid who was stuck quarterbacking Central in their last playoff game last season when the starter was suspended from school. He hoped to do better in the coming season.

Aaron and Zack took roll before we left. I had to stifle a laugh when Aaron called out “Winfield Ellsworth Brinton IV” and Chip answered “Yo.”

On the ride down in the elevator I teased Chip, “Winfield Ellsworth Brinton IV? It makes you sound like a snooty rich kid.”

“Now you know why I go by Chip.”

“So your family isn’t fabulously rich?” I asked.

“No. Mom’s a school teacher and Dad works in a bank in West Chester. We’re just an average family.” Chip paused for a couple seconds. “My great grandfather used to be rich. He lost all his money in the stock market crash in 1929.”

“That’s too bad,” I said. “The name seems to be a bit pretentious.”

“It is. It’s tradition in our family for the oldest son. Dad says it still gives us a few perks. My family came to Pennsylvania with William Penn when he founded the colony in the 1680’s. We were Quakers back then. All our family name gets us anymore is an occasional seat on a charity board and an invite to the local fox hunt.”

I said, “That’s a little more exciting than my family history. You go back a few generations and all you find is Mennonite farmers. You mentioned fox hunting, do you really do that?”

“I don’t. My dad goes occasionally. My granddad is a regular. He loves to ride with the hunt,” Chip explained as the elevator doors opened to a crowd of football campers. I spotted Greg Walker standing in the middle of the crowd trying to get order.

I pushed through the crowd. Chip followed. I tapped Greg on the shoulder. He turned and looked at me. I asked, “Hi, Greg. Do you remember me? I’m Kyle Martin.”

Greg stared at me for a few seconds. “Yeah ... yeah ... you’re the kid Zack brought to the party last fall.”

I nodded yes. “It’s good to see you again. You played a hell of a game against Auburn. I was cheering the whole time it took you to carry the winning touchdown to the end zone.”

“Thanks, umm...”

“Kyle ... Kyle Martin.”

Greg said, “Right. Kyle Martin. I’ll remember that name.” Greg whistled to get everyone’s attention. “Everybody. We need to head over to the Lasch Building for this evening’s introduction.”

About eighty of us followed Pete and Greg across Curtin Road, between Shields and Wagner buildings, through the tennis courts to the Lasch Building. Christian, Caleb, Chip and I hung together.

Our counselors took us to the auditorium. Everyone founds seats. The Penn State coaching staff came in together and had seats at the front table in the auditorium. Coach Paterno welcomed us to the 7 on 7 Passing Camp. He introduced the coaching staff. He reviewed our schedule for the weekend. His introduction went about fifteen minutes. Coach Paterno had the defensive players move to another classroom where Coach Bradley would begin their instruction.

When all the defensive players left Coach Burton began our talk. He reviewed some of the basics of running pass routes. He handed out tests to the sound of loud groans from nearly everyone in the room. Coach Burton promised that all they were going to be used for was to identify our current knowledge level so the instruction could be tailored to our specific needs.

Coach Burton continued talking about how an offense can use various combination of passing routes together to influence what a defense did. He talked about how to read defensive coverages. The talk went on for about an hour. It was basic stuff to me, but it was very clearly presented. Coach Burton talked about how all the bits and pieces of information I knew influenced each other. It was worthwhile.

Christian, Caleb, Chip and I were heading out from the evening talk when Zack grabbed me. “Do you guys want to go downtown for a pizza before we go back to the dorms?” Zack asked.

I hesitated. “Uh ... what do you guys think?” looking around at my friends. They agreed. Zack took us downtown to one of the pizza places on College Avenue. Zack kept us entertained with stories from the bowl game.

Chip hung on every word Zack spoke. He had a serious case of hero worship. Christian seemed to enjoy the talk about Penn State’s bowl game. I found out that night that he had been in the stands watching Zack and me when we first beat Central three years ago. Both of us had been in ninth grade at the time. He respected Zack without crossing over to adulation. He knew Zack first as a rival’s quarterback. Caleb didn’t say much of anything. He just absorbed everything we talked about. We got back to the dorm around 9:30 pm.