Go Long! by Ronde Barber Read Free Book Online

But since they’d seen him try a run on first down, the Badgers were ready for this gimmick. Cody was dragged down in the backfield for a loss. Now the Eagles had to punt again.
    â€œWhat were you thinking out there, Hansen?” Coach Ontkos barked as the offense returned to the bench and the kicking team took the field.
    â€œSoule was covered!” Cody explained. “I had to make a quick decision.”
    â€œAre you kidding? I was wide open!” Fred protested.
    â€œYeah, right,” Cody said.
    â€œHey!” Ontkos shouted. “You’re on the same team—start acting like it!” He shook his head and walked away to watch the punt.
    This time, Adam kept the kick away from the Badgers’ little speedster. Once again, the teams settled in to a defensive back-and-forth. The third quarter ended with the Eagles down two touchdowns and the Badgers driving for the kill.
    On the first play of the fourth quarter, the Badgers’ quarterback threw up a quick out into the near corner of the end zone. But Ronde was way ahead of him. He stepped in front of the receiver, caught the ball, and raced right back up the sideline. The Eagles, including Cody and Tiki, all screamed with joy, jumping up and down and cheering Ronde on.
    â€œTouchdown!” Tiki yelled along with everyone else as they all high-fived each other. “Man, Ronde’s having one whale of a game!”
    They were still down a touchdown, with most of the fourth quarter left, and the Badgers would have the ball next. Tiki crossed his fingers, hoping he got another chance to score that day.
    Luckily, the Eagles’ defense held, and the team got the ball back for one more desperate drive.
    Coach Ontkos called for a special play—the Statue of Liberty. Cody was supposed to drop back to pass, cocking his arm back with the ball—at which point Fred Soule, who had come around the end, was supposed to grab the ball and run with it behind Tiki’s block, totally faking out the defense.
    But when the time came for Fred to grab the ball, Tiki was shocked to see Cody pull it away and run with it himself!
    What is he doing? Tiki wondered. Maybe Cody had just messed up, but it sure looked like he’d yanked the ball back on purpose!
    If Tiki and Fred were fooled by Cody’s move, the Badgers were not. They not only threw Cody for a loss, they made him fumble!
    Luckily, the ball bounced right up into Tiki’s arms. He grabbed it on the run, and kept going at full clip, right through the defensive line and straight down the field!
    Someone was after him, he could feel it. He took a quick glance behind him, and saw that little pest gaining on him.
    How fast is this kid? Tiki wondered.
    The defender leapt and grabbed onto Tiki’s legs. But even Tiki was bigger than this kid, and much, much stronger. Tiki dragged the kid along with him right into the end zone!
    â€œYESSS!” Tiki roared as he got up and spiked the ball. The Eagles were now within an extra point of tying the game.
    But Paco’s long snap from center was high, and the holder, Joey Gallagher, couldn’t get the ball down in time for Adam to kick it! Instead, Gallagher ran with the ball and was stopped just short of the end zone.
    â€œMan, you really choked, Paco!” Cody yelled. “This team is so lame! I wish I went to another school. You guys are a bunch of losers!”
    Paco looked stung, and Tiki could totally relate. He felt like punching Cody out. He was quick with the criticisms, all right. But not a word about his own fumble on the Statue of Liberty play! If Tiki hadn’t picked up that ball and scored a touchdown, the game would have been over right there, and Paco’s mistake would never have happened!
    Tiki wondered if Ontkos knew what had gone on. Cody’s Statue of Liberty fake-out had happened so quickly, the coach might have missed it or thought it was just a mistake. Tiki thought about telling him Cody had