W
ith the score tied and just minutes left on the clock, the Titans began running the ball downfield with a series of laterals.
Fullback Arnie Johnson sprinted toward the end zone. Halfback Norval Lamb saw two Cougar tackles gaining on Arnie and hoped Arnie saw them too.
Arnie pivoted when he noticed the Cougar players within a few feet of him, shifting from foot to foot in a lightning-quick dance.
Will Arnie take the ball out of bounds?
Norval wondered.
Does he have enough time? Or will he get rid of it?
As the Cougars pounced, Arnie released the football. It spiraled toward Norval. Without time to think, Norval leaped into the air, stretching to reach the ball.
He had it!
Ducking and zigzagging through the last line of Cougars, Norval had only one goalâto make it to the end zone.
The Titan fans in the bleachers roared with excitement as Norval pulled off a forward roll and scored the winning touchdown for Southside High.
Grinning widely, Norval pulled off his helmet. He danced a quick salsa step to show his delight. He knew the coaches would frown on too much gloating, but he couldnât resist. It had been a tight game from the startâthis win hadnât come easily.
The Southside crowd continued cheering as Norval and his teammates jogged off the field. Arnie came alongside Norval and landed a friendly slap on Norvalâs back. âGood play, man!â
âThanks. You too.â
âNah. It was all you. It was a gamble, but I knew youâd make it.â
âThose tackles took you down hard,â Norval said. âYou okay?â
âDude, please,â Arnie replied, rubbing the back of his neck. âThey knock me down, but I bounce back up.â
When they reached the sidelines, their teammates gave them cheers, thumps, and hugs. The Southside cheerleaders sang a victory chant, leaping in the air and shaking their pom-poms.
A girl with silky black hair and large dark eyes wrapped Arnie in a hug. âYou were amazing, Arnie!â Lara Velez cried.
Norval and Arnie exchanged smiling glances. Norval knew Arnie liked Lara, even though the guys all agreed she was a big flirt. âThanks, Lara,â Arnie said. âBut Norvalâs the man today.â
âNorval made the TD, but youâre the one who carried the ball most of the way,â Lara said.
âThatâs the truth!â Norval agreed. He raised his arm and high-fived Arnie.
Norval looked around and found his girlfriend, Sadie Collins, chatting with some of the other cheerleaders. He wanted to be sure she didnât think he was the one flirting with Lara. They had a good thing goingâNorval didnât want to mess it up.
Sadie wasnât paying attention, though. Thenâalmost as if she could feel his eyes on herâshe turned toward him and smiled.
Norval smiled back and waved.
âYou and Sadie are still going strong, I see,â Lara said.
âA month last week,â Norval confirmed.
âYou two make a cute couple,â Lara said. âPoor Sadie. She didnât have a boyfriend for so long. Boys just didnât seem to notice her.â
Norval rolled his eyes. The remark was pure Lara. âWell, she has one now.â
âIâm happy for you guys,â Lara said and then turned her attention to Arnie. âSee you at Kadeemâs for pizza. Youâre going, arenât you, Arnie?â
âIâll be there,â Arnie said.
âCool. Iâll see you later, then,â Lara said, flashing him her most flirtatious smile as she danced away.
âLook out, man. Laraâs coming for you. Sheâs got you in her sights,â Norval teased.
âI wouldnât mind,â Arnie said, his eyes still on Lara.
Kadeem Jones, Southsideâs quarterback, stepped between Norval and Arnie and threw his arms over their shoulders. âWay to go!â he shouted. âMy place for victory pizza!â
âWe heard,â Norval said.
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