The Roar of the Crowd Page 5

  “What do I do?” Manny asked.

  “Block the middle linebacker. Let’s go.”

  Manny lined up behind the tight end, listening to the signals. He’d never played offense before.

  The ball was snapped and Manny shot into the defensive backfield, zeroing in on the linebacker. He lowered his shoulder into the defender’s ribs, churning with his feet as the running back slipped behind him. A 3-yard gain. Not bad.

  “Your turn, Donald,” Coach said in the huddle. “We’ll go with a quick count, on one. Inside left tackle this time.”

  Donald scooted ahead for about 4 yards, but the ball popped loose as a cornerback came up and hit him hard. Manny dove toward the ball, but big Anthony was on it, saving the ball for the offense.

  “Crud,” Donald said as he peeled himself off the ground. He looked at his hands. “How could I lose that?”

  “Gotta cover that ball up when you’re in the trenches,” Coach said. “Anthony saved you. We need two yards for a first down.” He looked around the huddle. “Let’s have some fun. Wingback.” He touched Manny’s shoulder. Manny felt a chill right down to his stomach. “At the snap, you come straight toward DiMarco for the pitch,” Coach said. “You follow him right over Anthony. They’ll move all those bodies out of the way for you. Let’s do it.”

  Manny trotted over to his spot behind the end and stared straight ahead. He knew from playing defense that the linebackers would be watching the running backs’ eyes, hoping for a clue as to which way the play was going.

  DiMarco called signals, then took the snap. Manny pivoted toward the backfield and saw the ball floating toward him. He grabbed it and followed the quarterback through the hole. Anthony had driven his opponent out of the way, and DiMarco was taking down the middle linebacker. Manny darted through the opening and saw a clear field ahead, but the hole was quickly filled by the safety.

  Manny dodged left, then shifted back to the right, gripping the ball tightly to his chest with both arms. He was 5 yards past the line of scrimmage, now 10, and two defensive players were on him, bringing him down.

  “Nice gain!” Coach shouted. “Great blocking up front.”

  Manny set down the ball and pumped his fist. He jogged back to the huddle, and DiMarco smacked him on the shoulder. “Good job,” he said.

  “All right, way to move the ball, Manny,” Coach said. “We’ve got time for a few more plays. Let’s see if we can get it into the end zone.”

  He called another run for Donald. “Hold it tight,” he said.

  This time Donald held on, but he managed to gain only a yard. The tailback carried twice for a few more yards, but they were still 30 yards from the end zone.

  “Okay,” Coach said. “Final play, then we run a few laps and head for home. We’ll run a quarterback option, but we’re looking for a pass. Manny, I want you to do a ten-yard square out and watch for the ball.”

  Manny nodded. At the snap he ran straight upfield, gave a little juke, and cut straight toward the sideline. He was wide open, but where was DiMarco? He could see a wave of defenders in the backfield, and suddenly Coach was blowing the whistle. DiMarco had been sacked.

  Could have been a touchdown, Manny thought. Oh well, that was fun anyway.

  Manny hadn’t had many chances, but he’d done some good things this season, at least in practice. There was the time he chased down DiMarco and stopped a touchdown, the pass interception, a terrific run with the ball this afternoon.

  He was starting to feel like a football player again.

  13

  Another Chance

  Game day. Sal sat on his bed with Manny’s helmet on his lap and watched his brother get into his pads and uniform.

  “Do you think you’ll play today, Manny?” Sal asked.

  “Maybe, Sal. You never know. This is a game we should win, so guys like me and Donald might get some playing time.”

  “I hope so, Manny.”

  “I hope so, too.”

  Sal put the helmet on his own head. It covered his eyes.

  “Not quite,” Manny said with a laugh. “Your head’s not fat enough, Sal.”

  “I should make a sign that says Let Manny Play!” Sal said. “I’ll bring it to the game and make sure the coach sees it.”

  “Don’t worry. If we play well today, I’ll probably get in. If we can get a nice lead, the coaches will empty the bench.”

  Donald came by a few minutes later and they walked to the meeting area for the bus to Palisades. The day was cool and crisp, just right for football. Donald and Manny banged into each other all the way to the school, bumping their shoulder pads together and hearing the smack.

  “I’m ready,” Donald said. “Boy, am I ready. Running back, defense, wherever he plays me, I’m gonna make an impact this afternoon.”

  “Me, too,” Manny said. “No more fooling around.”

  Coach Reynolds warned his team before the game not to take this opponent lightly. “They haven’t won yet, but they’ve been close in every game,” he said. “They’d like nothing more than to knock us off today. Let’s not let it happen.”

  Hudson City took the opening kickoff for a short return and put the ball in play at its own 23-yard line. Coach had emphasized that the running game would be the key to this one, and they went right to work on it. Sure and steady, the Hornets drove up the field on a series of short runs, never breaking a long one but moving ahead. Fullback Jared Owen did much of the work.

  DiMarco found Fiorelli for a nice gain over the middle, and then he scrambled around the end to get into Palisades’ territory.

  “We’re moving the ball,” Donald said. “Looking good.”

  Two more runs set up a first down at the Palisades’ 30. DiMarco called signals and dropped back to pass, getting good protection from his linemen. Fiorelli was a step ahead of his defender, angling toward the middle of the field. DiMarco’s pass was right on target, and Fiorelli hauled it in and sprinted into the end zone.

  “Kickoff team, get out there!” the coach shouted after DiMarco had kicked the extra point.

  Manny looked at Donald. Donald just frowned. He hadn’t played since that late kickoff in the second game.

  Hudson City managed another touchdown toward the end of the second quarter, and the team trotted off the field with a 13–0 lead at the half.

  “Excellent job,” Coach Reynolds said at halftime. “Our offense is eating up a lot of time with the running game, and our defense has shut them down nicely. If we play smart, this game will be ours.”

  Manny looked intently at the coach. Maybe, if the team could get a couple of more scores, there’d be a chance for the second-stringers to play.

  “We kick off to start the second half,” Coach said. “I think we’re ready to make a change. I’ve seen some good things in practice this week; some real improvements. Let’s go back to our original kickoff team—the one that started the season. You guys remember what to do.”

  Manny pumped his fist and Donald smacked him on the arm.

  “That’s us,” Donald said.

  “No kidding,” Manny answered.

  “Let’s kick some butt out there.”

  Manny nodded and felt a surge of energy. But it was more than just energy—it was confidence. No way would he mess up this opportunity.

  The team trotted back to the field, but Manny could hardly control his excitement. He and Donald started bumping their shoulders together again, and Manny leaped high into the air as they reached the sideline.

  “Let’s crush ’em,” he said to Donald.

  “Everything we’ve got.”

  Manny looked up at the bleachers and saw Sal and his parents looking down. He gave a quick wave, then pointed at the field. Then he and Donald and nine other teammates ran onto the field, taking their places for the kickoff.

  “Box and in,” Manny said to Donald.

  “Just like old times.”

  “No,” Manny said, “a thousand times better.”

  Mann
y bounced in place a couple of times and stretched out his arms. Then he stood still as DiMarco got set to kick off.

  As the kicker moved forward, Manny started to run, looking down the field to watch the flight of the ball. It soared through the air, coming down at about the 10-yard line, where the receiver caught it and started running.

  Manny and Donald ran side by side, dodging blockers. The play was developing in the middle of the field, so Manny angled that way while Donald cut straight in from the sideline.

  Hudson City players had converged on the play, slowing the ball carrier and forcing him toward the sideline. DiMarco had the runner in his grasp, and suddenly Manny was there, too, hitting him high and helping to bring him down.

  Manny and DiMarco leaped up and slapped hands. “Nice hit,” DiMarco said.

  “Felt great,” Manny said.

  The impact had been sweet, with Manny’s speed and momentum being just enough to stop the runner’s progress. Donald put his arm around Manny’s shoulder as they trotted off the field. “Awesome work, buddy,” he said.

  Coach Reynolds was clapping his hands as the kickoff team reached the sideline. “That’s how it’s done,” he said. “That’s the play we needed.”

  An assistant coach came over and patted Manny’s helmet. “Good tackle,” he said.

  Manny turned toward the bleachers. Sal was jumping up and down and his parents were smiling, waving at Manny. Manny raised a fist in the air, then turned to watch the game.

  Palisades had a different strategy for the second half, tossing a succession of short, quick passes that left Hudson City momentarily surprised. Palisades crossed midfield and continued to drive, gaining 6 or 7 yards each play.

  The defense finally stiffened, with Anthony making consecutive tackles to leave Palisades with a third-and-eight at the Hudson City 24.

  “Toughen up!” Manny yelled, feeling every bit a part of the action now. “Watch for that quick pass!”

  The Palisades quarterback dropped back, looking toward the sideline. His favorite receiver was open, but the pass was wobbly and he had to backtrack to get to the ball. That split second gave Fiorelli enough time to get there first, deflecting the ball just as the receiver reached it. The pass fell incomplete.

  Fourth down. Too far for a field goal. Palisades tried another pass play, but the ball was overthrown. Hudson City was back on offense.

  With a two-touchdown lead, the Hornets played a ball-control offense, sticking with the running game that had worked so well in the first half. Jared Owen carried on four straight plays, moving the ball back into Palisades’ territory. Then DiMarco found his favorite receiver, Jason Fiorelli, on a 25-yard pass over the middle.

  That big pass play seemed to deflate the Palisades’ defense. Owen took the next handoff straight up the middle and dashed into the secondary, making a lightning-quick cut toward the sideline and running it in for a touchdown. DiMarco’s kick made it 20–0, and Hudson City seemed headed for a certain victory.

  “Our turn!” Manny said as the kickoff team took its place.

  As the ball was kicked, Manny burst into high gear. A blocker was coming straight toward him, but Manny dodged right past him and zeroed in on the ball carrier, who was coming up his side of the field this time.

  Both players were going full speed, and Manny braced for the impact. When they were 2 yards apart, Manny left his feet, driving his shoulder into the return man’s waist and grabbing him with both arms.

  Manny heard the ooof! as the runner took the blow and the crack as his pads hit the turf. But something else had happened: the ball had popped loose. Donald had it, and Manny scrambled to his feet as he watched his friend running toward the end zone.

  Manny couldn’t believe it. Donald was going to score! He was 5 yards ahead of his nearest pursuer and running at full stride. He crossed the 10-yard line, then the 5. Touchdown!

  Manny tried to yell but he couldn’t. He raced over to Donald and grabbed him as Donald leaped into the air. The entire kickoff team was in the end zone now, shouting and swinging their fists.

  Donald held the ball above his head and ran toward the sideline. The referee shouted at him to give up the ball, and Donald turned and tossed it over.

  Teammates from the bench mobbed Donald. Coach Reynolds had come partway onto the field and put up a hand to stop Manny. “Great job, Manny!” he said. “Stay in there for the conversion. I told DiMarco what to call.”

  Manny ran back onto the field. The offense was huddled up near the goal line. DiMarco grabbed Manny’s jersey and pulled him in.

  “Remember that wingback pitch we ran in practice?” he said.

  Manny nodded.

  “We’re running it now,” DiMarco said. “Just follow me right over Anthony. Let’s get you into the end zone.”

  Manny couldn’t believe it. He’d made the big hit on the kickoff, and here was his reward. A chance to score. He gulped and took his position behind the tight end. His palms were sweaty, but he’d hold on to that ball.

  DiMarco called signals and took the snap. Manny pivoted and grabbed the ball that was floating toward him. He cut into the line behind DiMarco. A defensive lineman had broken through, getting a hand on Manny’s arm. Manny shook it off and squirted through the opening as players grunted and pushed and grabbed at him.

  Beneath his feet he saw the goal line. Two defenders were on him, one hitting him high and the other low. Manny was going down, but it didn’t matter. He was already in the end zone. He’d scored!

  He heard the whistle blow and looked up, seeing the referee with his hands raised above his head. Two points!

  Anthony grabbed Manny by the arms and pulled him to his feet, lifting him into the air. Teammates smacked his helmet and hooted. Manny felt tears in his eyes. This was more than he’d dreamed of.

  The scoreboard changed from 26–0 to 28–0 as Manny jogged up the field for the kickoff. Donald was racing across from the sideline and came flying into him, nearly knocking him to the ground.

  “You’re awesome, Manny!” Donald said. “We’re awesome! Let’s score another one. Right now!”

  14

  The Play of the Year

  Manny sat on the living room couch with a bag of ice on his wrist. The injury was no big deal—he didn’t even remember how it had happened—but Coach Reynolds had told him to ice it as a precaution. Sal sat right beside his older brother, looking at him in awe.

  “That was the best game I ever saw, Manny,” Sal said. “I couldn’t believe it when you scored that touchdown.”

  Manny laughed. “It wasn’t quite a touchdown, buddy. Just a two-point conversion.”

  “Just as good,” Sal said. “Unbelievable. That was the play of the year!”

  Dad grabbed Manny’s shoulder and shook it gently. “I couldn’t be prouder,” he said. “You really were awesome this afternoon.”

  “Thanks,” Manny said.

  Hudson City had tacked on another touchdown and won the game, 34–0. Manny hadn’t made any more tackles, but he and Donald did get in at linebacker for the closing series. All in all, it had been an incredible day.

  The Giants were playing a late game today, taking on the Seahawks at four P.M. The family had gathered to watch the game, but most of their conversation was about the earlier game—the one in which Manny had emerged as a player.

  Coach Reynolds had said after the game how proud he was of every player, especially the ones who’d taken advantage of the rare chance to play. “We’ve got a full team of reliable players now,” he’d said. “There’ll be plenty of playing time for everybody from here on out.”

  Most of the team planned to meet at McDonald’s in the early evening, and this time Manny would be going. The coach had said they could even wear their game jerseys, as long as they promised not to get ketchup or mustard on them.

  So after the Giants game, Manny put his jersey back on over his clothes. It was made of material that stretched to cover the shoulder pads, but it was still pretty hug
e without them. Manny didn’t care. He didn’t care, either, that the jersey was dirty. In fact, he was very proud of that dirt. If the jersey had still been clean, he wouldn’t be going to McDonald’s to hang out with the rest of the team.

  “I won’t be late,” Manny said to his parents. “Just going to get a hamburger and a milk shake.”

  “You earned it,” Mom said. “Go have a blast.”

  “I will.”

  “You’re great, Manny!” shouted Sal.

  “So are you, buddy.”

  Manny stepped out of the house and looked around. The sky was getting dark and there was a cool breeze. The maples were beginning to show traces of autumn color, but none of the leaves had fallen yet. There was still a long time left before winter. Still a lot of football games.

  McDonald’s was about six blocks from the house, near the edge of town. Manny started walking that way, toward the lights of the Boulevard. But he turned onto a side street and began to jog, still feeling a lot of energy, still wanting to move.

  Here came that pitchout again, that moment of highlight-film intensity when Manny’s whole universe was focused on the football. He grabbed it and cut toward the line, following DiMarco and Anthony, hearing the crashing of helmets and pads ahead of him, tearing loose from the grip of the defensive lineman.

  And then the goal line beneath his feet, that hot-and-cold sensation in his gut that told him he’d scored, that the two points he’d put up on the scoreboard could never be erased. He’d done something big—bigger than he’d done in his whole, entire life. And this was only the beginning. Football, soccer, cross-country running. Whatever he chose to go after, he’d go after it in a big way.

  Again he relived that play, again he felt that surge of adrenaline and the satisfaction of a big-time effort. And then he was running down that field again, this time dodging blockers and zeroing in on the kickoff-return man, smacking him hard and jolting the football from his grasp.

  Manny was sweating now; he’d run farther than he needed to. McDonald’s was two blocks behind him and one block over. He didn’t care. He raised his arms above his head and jogged in the middle of the nearly dark side street. He wiped his forehead with his sleeve and smiled with the satisfaction of an athlete.