Page 19 of Game On
“Fox,” Coach nods in my direction, “I expect you to lead by example, on and off the field. We’re starting with drills focusing on agility and speed today, followed by some offensive strategy work. I want everyone sharp, steady.”
Levi nudges me with his elbow, whispering, “Guess we’re up first, man.”
I nod, already mentally preparing for the drills. Agility and speed are crucial for a quarterback and his receiver; the ability to anticipate each other’s moves, to make split-second decisions that can turn the game around.
Coach blows his whistle, signaling the start of the drills. Levi and I pair up, working closely as always. Our dynamic on the field is nearly telepathic; after years of playing together, I know his movements almost as well as my own. As quarterback, my job is to read the defense and find the best path forward, often through Levi’s quick catches and sprints.
We run through a series of high-intensity drills, from ladder exercises meant to improve footwork to cone drills for agility. The heat of the sun is relentless now, sweat plastering my shirt to my back, but it feels good to be moving, to be throwing the ball again with purpose.
After the physical drills, Coach gathers us for a walkthrough of some new plays he’s been cooking up over the summer. We huddle around him, flipping through the playbook he hands out. I quickly scan the formations, my mind already racing through the possibilities, the potential challenges, and the triumphs these plays could bring.
“Pay attention to the details,” Coach emphasizes. “It’s the small things that often decide the outcome of a game. Fox, I want you and Montgomery to run the new post-route and wheel-route combo. Let’s see if we can catch the defense off guard with that one.”
Levi gives me a look, a mix of excitement and determination. “Let’s make it seamless,” he says.
We line up, the rest of the team forming the defense. I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the ball in my hands, the anticipation in the air. The snap comes, and muscle memory takes over. I drop back, scanning the field as Levi breaks away from his defender.
With a flick of my wrist, the ball is soaring through the air, a perfect spiral heading straight for Levi. He catches it in his stride, not missing a beat, and darts down the field.
Coach lets out a rare chuckle, clapping his hands. “That’s what I’m talking about! Excellent execution, boys.”
As practice winds down, with muscles aching and shirts drenched in sweat, I’m filled with a sense of pride. It may be my last season of football, but for now, this is where I belong. This place where all the distractions of the world fade away, and it’s just the game, my teammates, and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.
Levi claps me on the shoulder as we walk off the field. “Not bad for a first day back, huh?”
“Not bad at all,” I say.
“We should celebrate.”
“You want to celebrateone dayback at practice?”
“Is that an issue for you? We haven’t been out in ages, not since that girl rejected you and made you cry.”
“I didn’t fucking cry, dipshit.”
“Hm.” He rubs his chin. “Fairly certain that’s what happened.”
“Well, I’m not drinking this season.”
He stops in his tracks, jaw nearly unhinging. “You’re joking. It’s your senior year.”
“Exactly,” I say. “I’ve got a lot of shit on the line. I secured that letter from Coach, but I’m still waiting on my Classics professor from last fall. I have two pre-reqs to finish up, and I’m applying to ten different master’s programs.”
I partied too much last semester, slept with too many women, and let my grades slip. Levi’s well aware of my lapse in judgment. It was reckless, and I refuse to let it happen again.
He winces. “Isn’t there, like, some sort of common app or something?”
“ForClassics?” I give a snort of disbelief. “Yeah, if only.”
“I have a solution,” he says simply. “Give up. Enter the draft with me.”
“No, thanks. I’ll stick with Sophocles.”
He shakes his head. “Ah, you practical man, you.”
“You’re calling me boring?” I have to admit, I’m a little less reckless, a little less fun, than I let myself be before. Levi’s always been the more impulsive out of the two of us, but I’m usually quick to go along with him. Not anymore.
I’ve got too much riding on this last year: too many goals to hit, too many expectations. I’m determined to see it through, and I can’t afford to lose focus now.
