Initiation by Phil M. Williams Read Free Book Online Page B

the half.” He placed his Marauders hat back on his head and pulled the brim low.
    “We gotta get better preseason games,” Coach Pitts said.
    “Nobody wants to play us.”
    “I’d like to get Lynch some time with the ones.”
    Coach Cowan raised his eyebrows. “Who?”
    “Carter Lynch.”
    Coach Cowan chuckled. “I thought his last name was Carter.”
    Coach Pitts grinned.
    “Yeah, next series get him in there. Noah’s complacent.”
    Coach Pitts turned around, looking up and down the sideline. “Carter … Carter!”
    “Right here, Coach,” Carter said, standing right in front of him.
    Coach Pitts grinned with a toothpick in the corner of his mouth. His gray Marauders Football shirt was dark under the armpits. “Right in front of my face,” he said. “If you were a snake, I’d a’ been bit. Next series you’re in for Noah.”
    Carter nodded.
    Coach Pitts moved closer. He narrowed his eyes. “You know all the signals?”
    “Yes.”
    “Just do what you been doin’ every day in practice.”
    Carter nodded.
    Coach Pitts smacked him on the shoulder pads and walked down the sideline.
    “Noah!”
    Noah was joking with Justin Whitehead by the water coolers. Justin was tall and well-built, with pinkish white skin and a blond crew cut. He wore number fifty-six like his hero.
    Noah turned around with a smile. “What’s up, Coach?”
    “You’re out. Carter’s in next series.”
    Noah’s eyes went wide. He held up his palm. “What, why?”
    “I wanna see what he can do with the ones.”
    “This is bullshit.” Noah tossed his helmet.
    Coach Pitts moved with cat-like speed. He had Noah’s jersey bunched up in his fist. “If I ever see you throw your helmet like that again, you’ll never see the field.”
    Noah’s eyes were red.
    “Do I make myself clear?” Coach Pitts said.
    Noah nodded.
    Coach Pitts let go of his jersey. He marched back to Coach Cowan just in time to see Kevin Lewis score on an inside trap. After the extra point, the referee spotted the ball on the twenty.
    “Defense,” Coach Pitts called out.
    Eleven kids hustled out to the field, Carter and Devin included.
    Devin smacked Carter on the helmet. “It’s about time,” he said.
    Carter read the signal from the sideline and relayed the play in the huddle. Zach scowled at Carter.
    On first down the Eagles took the snap and handed the ball to the tailback. Justin Whitehead crushed the fullback at the line of scrimmage, clogging the hole. The tailback ran into his own player before being swallowed up by Zach and the rest of the defensive line.
    Carter looked at Coach Pitts on the sideline. He flashed hand signals. Carter turned to the huddle and relayed the play.
    The Eagles lined up with a slot back on the strong side. Justin was lined up on the back. Carter crept over, trying not to tip off the linebacker blitz. Justin glanced back at Carter, making sure he was there. The quarterback took the snap and Justin blitzed. Carter covered the back. Justin was coming fast. The quarterback threw a quick out to the slot off his back foot before being planted into the turf. Despite the pressure, it was a good pass. At the last split-second Carter stepped in front, dove, and deflected the football to the turf – incomplete.
    Third and long, they’re gonna throw it. This quarterback doesn’t look you off. He’ll tell you where he’s going with his eyes.
    On the snap of the football, Carter backpedaled, reading the quarterback’s eyes. The inside receiver was open on a seam route. The quarterback locked onto the open receiver. Carter planted and blasted toward the open receiver. The quarterback raised the football to his ear and threw a bullet. The receiver’s head was turned, looking back for the ball as he sprinted downfield. He was blind to the oncoming freight train.
    Carter was positioned for the knockout. He was at full speed. The receiver was helpless, unprotected, and the timing was dead on. The ball touched the receiver’s hands