The Comeback Challenge by Matt Christopher Read Free Book Online

here in time to pick me up for the game. We want to get good
     seats.”
    “I’ll eat the whole apple, Grandma,” Mark promised with a smile. “Don’t you worry. And I’m sure there’ll be plenty of good
     seats left. Probably too many.”
    As soon as the words left his mouth, he was sorry. He didn’t want his grandparents to think that he cared about whether his
     father — or his mother — showed up. In fact, the very thought of the two ofthem both showing up at the same game sent a chill down his spine. The crowd was never so big that they wouldn’t see each
     other. And then one of them would be sure to say something. And the other would answer back. The next thing you knew, they’d
     be fighting and he’d be caught in the middle. Again.
    “Rats. I’m on the bench this time.” Craig stared at the game roster Coach Ryan had posted in the locker room as he did for
     every game. “But it looks like the coach is sticking with you and Vince in the front line.”
    “Hey, the way Coach Ryan sends in subs, you’ll see some action, I’m sure,” said Mark.
    It was true. The coach tried to give as many of the players as possible some time on the field. But he was smart enough to
     stick with his winners, too.
    The Concord Tigers took to the field in their black-and-orange-striped jerseys and orange shorts. In terms of size, they didn’t
     look all that different from the Knightstown kids. Watching them from the corner of his eye during the warm-up periods, Mark
     could see that they were revved up for the game, too.
    When the two teams ran out into position for the kickoff, Vince jogged by Mark. Neither boy said a word, but Vince’s hazel
     eyes burned into Mark’s for a brief moment.
    Then the ref placed the ball in the center circle, stepped back, and blew the whistle.
    The Scorpions had won the toss and chosen to kick. Mark hooked his foot under the ball and sent it in a low, fast arc to Evan
     Andrews. Evan quickly kicked it to Johnny Mintz, who had sped by him near the outside line. Then Evan took off, running directly
     ahead of Johnny, and Johnny returned the ball to him. It was a classic “through pass” maneuver that had worked well in practice
     — and worked now, too. The Scorpions were deep into Tiger territory.
    Evan dribbled the ball for a moment, then passed it to Mark. Mark wasted no time moving it across the field to Vince. The
     Scorpion right wing had the ball for only a second before two Tiger midfielders charged him. He tried to get rid of it, but
     his kick was blocked.
    With possession of the ball, the Tigers wasted no time moving it in the opposite direction. They crossed the halfway line
     into Scorpion territory for the firsttime. With the advantage of a little speed and some smart passing, they faced a clear field on their way toward the goal area.
    But the Scorpions got a break. An overeager Tiger booted the ball toward a receiver too fast, and it went sailing out of bounds.
     Since it was on his side of the field, Vince went for the throw-in.
    Mark knew the ball would not come his way. It wasn’t just because. Vince so rarely included him in his plays: Coach Ryan designed
     such throw-ins to be received by his midfielders, so that his front line could get in position to move the ball up the field.
     So Mark got set to assist whichever teammate ended up with the ball.
    In this case, it turned out to be Mel Duffy, who caught it between his knees. The ball dropped to the ground, and Mel looked
     around to see who was in the clear. Mark waved and shouted, and Mel found him. A short pass in his direction gave the Scorpions’
     center forward all he needed to break away down the field toward the defenders’ goal.
    Feeling the heat of a couple of oncoming Tiger tacklers, Mark spied Vince heading for the exact spot he needed to be in for
     a goal attempt. A quickstop and a well-placed kick in Vince’s direction, and the Scorpion wing had all he needed. Vince booted the ball toward