The Roar of the Crowd by Rich Wallace Read Free Book Online Page B

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.”
    Manny 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