The Great Quarterback Switch by Matt Christopher Read Free Book Online Page A

chuckled and scratched his nose. “Well, you didn’t lie to him. Every word you told him was true. You’ve just got to
     be careful, though, that you both remember who you are at all times. One big goof and you both might become so disturbed about
     it that you won’t be able to do it again.”
    “Boy, that’s right,” said Tom, shooting a glance at Michael. “I hadn’t thought about that.”
    Michael shook his head. “We’ll just have to keep our wits about us every minute, that’s all,” he said.
    “You have the toughest job,” Tom told him. “When you’re out there playing football,you’re taking a chance of getting bashed. Sitting in that wheelchair for me is easy. You know what?” he added quickly. “I’ve
     been realizing just what kind of life you really have been living, Mike. Being in that chair all the time ain’t no picnic.
     It takes a lot of guts, man.”
    Michael’s eyes flashed. “It takes guts to do what you do, too, Tom,” he said seriously. “The team looks to you to make the
     plays work. I heard what they had to say when one doesn’t! It’s rough, a lot of pressure. It must be hard to stay on top all
     the time.” Tom looked at him thoughtfully. “Sometimes,” was all he said.
    On October 4, the Eagles tangled with the Cheetahs. The day was sunny, and a light wind was blowing from the north, causing
     most of the fans to wear light jackets or sweaters.
    The Cheetahs had a record of two wins and one loss, the same as the Eagles, so winning this game would mean a lot.
    The Cheetahs won the toss and chose to receive. Vince’s kick made the football veer off to the right of the field at the twenty-yard
     line, and it bounced out of bounds. He had to kick again, this time from the thirty-five-yard line. The kick, a high spiral,
     dropped near the twenty-five-yard line, where the receiver called for a free catch.
    Kip Stanley, the Cheetahs’ quarterback, hustled his team into a huddle and hustled them out of it. His eyes kept shifting
     over the field like a pair of white marbles as he barked signals. The ball was snapped, and he faded back. One step… two…
    Abe Abrams, the Cheetahs’ chunky fullback, took the handoff and plowed like a miniature tank through right tackle. Hands grabbed
     at him, but slipped off as if he weregreased. He went twenty-three yards before Tom, playing safety, tackled him around the knees and pulled him down.
    From his wheelchair, Michael looked on with disbelief.
What a run!
he thought.
If Kip is a smart quarterback, he’ll try that play again.
    And Kip did! This time Abe chewed up eighteen yards before Angie, in the left linebacker position, brought him down.
    You’ve got to sew up that hole, Tom!
Michael’s mind screamed.
You’ve got to sew it up, or Abrams will keep driving through it till he scores!
    Charlie Jarvis, the Cheetahs’ left halfback, carried the ball next. Instead of trying to plow through right tackle, though,
     he sprinted around right end and got thrown for a two-yard loss.
    Kip tried a pass that went incomplete. Then he tucked the ball into Abe’s gut again,and Abe bulldozed into the line. He kept going, dodging the linebackers and then beating Tom to the goal line by just a step.
    It was a touchdown.
    Kip booted the ball between the uprights for the point after to put the Cheetahs on the scoreboard: 7-0.
    Michael socked his knee with his fist. Less than two minutes had gone by and the Cheetahs had already drawn blood. The way
     they looked, and the way Abe Abrams was taking charge, that seven-point lead was sure to grow.
    It did. And within the next two minutes, too.
    The Cheetahs’ tall, high-jumping right end, Don Falls, had snared a pass intended for Bob Riley and galloped all the way down
     the field for the Cheetahs’ second touchdown. The try for the extra point was good, stretching the lead to 14-0.
    Michael saw Tom standing as if in stunned surprise, his hands on his hips and his head lowered. He couldn’t seem