Coach Hoang sagged back in his chair, exhaling deeply. He was a rare source of quiet in a world of clamourous noise. The boys on the bench were going mad, shouting, hollering, dancing around Ty as they swarmed him and celebrated.
The stands above and behind him rumbled like they'd fall apart, the people within them jumping and stomping as they cheered. But Coach Hoang's heart was as cold as ice, even as he sweated from the passionate heat surrounding him.
Bella—another who was overjoyed and unable to contain her excitement—noticed Coach Hoang's stillness and shock. She moved closer to him, looking at his shaking hands. 'Are you okay, Coach?' she asked.
'Huh?' He looked at her, still with shock and worry dominating his expression.
She repeated herself, louder to fight through the noise surrounding them.
'Oh. Yeah. I'm fine, Bella. I really am. I just hope the team is too.'
Confusion spread across her face. 'What do you mean? Ty's winning, we'll win too. We just need to keep this up.'
Her gaze drifted back to the clump of celebrating Dons. Ty was hidden away somewhere in the middle of it all. Coach Hoang looked at her, doubting.
'I know you felt it. You saw it too, didn't you? What … Tyrese … just did.'
Her gaze snapped back to Coach Hoang, surprised he used Ty's first name, but he was talking nonsense. 'Of course I saw it; everyone did.'
Coach Hoang shook his head. 'No, they didn't. They saw what happened, but they didn't see why. You did though, didn't you?'
Bella's breath caught in her throat. He didn't mean… she was just being silly. Those strange feelings she got sometimes, right before Ty did something amazing like he just had. Wasn't that just her …
'The air gets cold,' Coach Hoang said. 'Just looking at him makes goosebumps run across your arms. He feels like a different person, like he's so far away he's on a different world.'
Bella frowned, unconsciously hugging herself. Just talking about it reminded her of the chill. Coach Hoang could feel it, too. But what did that mean?
Coach Hoang saw the recognition on her face and sighed. 'I can't explain it fully. But know that Tyrese is special … that's the best word I can think of to explain it. What he just did was certainly special, but it's not the first time he's done something like it. A play like that, it's almost inexplicable, but that's what makes it special, and Tyrese's proclivity for those special plays, makes him special. That's what the greats do. They warp the game around their finger. That's what makes Tyrese as amazing as he is.'
Bella turned back to Ty. From the few snippets and quick glances she saw of him between the mass of bodies still surrounding him, he was as cool as ever, even whilst looking like he just got finished with a marathon.
'Then why are you worried? If we have Ty, we can't lose, right?' Bella said. Despite accusing Coach Hoang, her voice was full of worry itself.
'Because he doesn't know how he's special, doesn't know how to control it. I doubt he even understands when it's happening, or why. … AND … I've never seen Ty do that twice in a game, either.'
Bella's mouth dried. She looked at Ty, the swarm finally clearing around him. The goosebumps were still there, but she wasn't cold. Looking at him now had the opposite effect, like there was a fire spreading through her. She quickly looked away, taking a deep breath.
Coach Hoang turned his attention to the scoreboard. They were down two touchdowns, but the momentum was with them. He just hoped they could capitalise on it and complete their comeback now they'd used their ace. He didn't realise he'd voiced these concerns until Bella spoke up.
'We will,' she said, standing rigidly beside him. 'We'll win, because…because Tyrese isn't the only one who's special. The team is.'
Coach Hoang hoped she was right. They were special, of course they were, otherwise they wouldn't have made it this far. But Sierra Canyon were special as well.
Jay led the Dons' offence back onto the field after Ty's touchdown. Adrenaline was still surging, the blood pumping through his veins felt like it was on fire. That kid Tyrese sure knew how to rile the whole team up, for better or worse. This time was definitely one of the better ones.
But it'd all be for naught if Jay and the offence couldn't do anything with that interception. The boys got into formation, and Jay stared down the field, past the Trailblazers' defence. It was a long way to the end-zone. They'd have to go over 80 yards … and that journey lived or died with their first play.
The Flea Flicker. Jay was doubting himself as he stood ready for the snap. The idea seemed more like one of those ridiculous "high" ideas—genius at the time, but incomprehensible when you sobered. Standing there, he felt more sober than ever.
He looked around, eyes lowering from the Trailblazers and the end-zone far in the distance behind them, to his teammates. Ty's spectacular display had affected them as well, but more than that, he saw hope, belief, and trust in the faces looking back at him. They were all counting on him, and he couldn't let them down.
Jay took a deep breath. 'Set…hike!' He took the ball, turned, and gave it to Chris.
Chris charged ahead, but pulled up short of the Dons' O-Line. Turning back, he "flicked" the ball to Jay, who caught it and scanned the field. Though his eyes only needed one target.
Cole had sold the run well, opening out of his stance like he'd block. Though once the CB—a tall, imposing senior who looked like he should've been guarding Stephen—saw the run, and committed to getting by Cole's block, Cole dropped the facade, just as Chris flicked the ball back. He burst ahead of the CB, wrong-footing them and leaving them scrambling as he rushed into the open.
Jay held firm to the ball. Not yet. The Safeties were still there, an oppressive curtain. But even they had dropped lower after the fake, following Mason in. Once they realised what was going on, Cole already had a head start. They turned, giving chase as Cole sped by.
NOW! Jay stepped into the throw, heaving the ball high. It spiralled through the air, looping in a stretched out rainbow beyond the defence. For a moment, Jay worried he'd overdone it, and Cole wouldn't reach it. The world hung silent as the ball fell, and Cole ran under it.
He stretched out as far as he could. He thought about diving but banished the thought; a dive wouldn't bring a touchdown, he could catch it and keep running.
Hands thrust out as far as they could reach, he snagged the ball, stumbling, almost falling as he secured it. The air swelled with an ecstatic cheer. But the stumble cost Cole his touchdown either way. It allowed a Safety to catch up, and a diving attempt from them knocked his leg out from under him and sent him crashing to the ground.
Still, it was the biggest play either team had had for the day, ending with a gain of 57 yards for the Dons.
Cole sprung back up to his feet, the Dons charging towards him, as excited as if he had scored a touchdown. Jay jogged along behind the rest of the pack, though as he did, he noticed something with the Trailblazers—Lennox was pissed.
The two-way player had rushed up into the face of his fellow CB, Jarren, who'd been guarding Cole and let him blow right by. Ranting and raving, Lennox's fury wasn't contained to just Jarren either, anyone who got close or tried to diffuse the situation received a mouthful. The Safeties too, his tongue lashed them as fiercely as it had Jarren.
Even when the two teams lined up against one another again, Lennox's frustration was still clear as he stood in front of Stephen.
Someone that fired up would be easy to goad into a challenge against Stephen, and would forget all about how best to handle the giant. Patience and poise were required to most easily best him, but with how Lennox was acting, he'd try to overpower Stephen.
However, it wasn't the right time to exploit that anger. Not yet. Jay looked across the field again. If they could just get a little closer to the end-zone, then they could strike.
First, they'd capitalise on the Flea Flicker with a run. Handing the ball to Chris froze the defence for a moment. They weren't sure if it was going to be a run, or another fake, and Chris utilised that to get his best run of the day, as he almost broke away completely on the outside, though was stopped after a gain of 7.
The Dons weren't about to let up and continued to play mind games with Play-Action next, which led to a quick catch for Benny after running a shallow Cross Mesh opposite Cole. The catch was good enough for 5 yards and the first down.
THEN Jay was ready to attack Lennox. The Dons were within the red-zone, and Lennox was practically foaming at the mouth. Jay let Stephen in on the plan, and the huddle broke apart.
Stephen swaggered over to his spot, smirking down at Lennox, looking at him like he was a ferocious but harmless tiger stuck on the other side of unbreakable glass.
'You guys are even more pathetic than I thought,' Stephen said. 'Did you seriously think we were trying before?'
Lennox laughed, but there was a mad look in his dark eyes. 'You've been trying this whole time, you worthless fuck. You can't do shit.'
Stephen shook his head. 'You're just a pussy-ass shrimp like everyone else.'
Lennox looked on the verge of punching Stephen just before the Dons snapped the ball. Lennox used that rage and hit Stephen in the gut, pressing the taller boy fiercely. Stephen grunted, but his arms found Lennox's shoulders, and he shoved the other boy aside.
Lennox wouldn't be rid of that easily, and pressed into Stephen's side, trying to run him out of bounds as they rumbled down the sideline. As they ran, Stephen held his ground, leaning on Lennox.
Jay couldn't help but smile as he watched them running towards the end-zone. He loosed the ball, a higher, more looping arch on this one, throwing it up for Stephen.
As Stephen crossed into the end-zone, he twisted, bumping against Lennox before raising his arms above his head. Lennox looked back, snarling. They both jumped. Stephen tensed, hands reaching higher, latching onto the ball even as Lennox swiped at his arms. They crashed to the turf.
There was another surge amongst the crowd as the officials announced the touchdown. Lennox and Stephen almost got into a brawl as they each tried to pull and push the other down to help themselves stand. The officials, along with swarming Dons, helped separate the two, as the Dons renewed their celebrations, heading towards the sideline.
With the score ticking over to 21–13—the extra point attempt still to come—Coach Hoang let out a small sigh of relief. The game wasn't over, but the Dons were on the right path, and something told him the Trailblazers weren't a team that dealt with adversity well. That was the hidden weakness of dominance—if you never had to fight for it, you forgot how to win those fights.
Such thoughts had validity, as Lennox stormed back to the Trailblazers' sideline. Jarren restarted their shouting match, though this time HE approached Lennox.
'You wanna talk yo shit now, Lennox? Or do your mistakes not count, you dumbfuck.'
Lennox shoved him back, though the Safeties caught Jarren, backing him up. 'That's both scores on your head, dumbass,' they said, laying blame on him for Ty's pick-six.
'If Kieran could throw the ball, that little bitch wouldn't have any interceptions,' Lennox yelled, the argument audible even on the other sideline.
'You're blaming ME?!' Kieran looked as if he'd been slapped in the face.
Barry laughed. 'This fucking guy.' He got up, approaching Lennox. 'I'll be damned if some shitty freshman is the reason we lose our championship.'
'Ain't so hot now, huh, boy?' Jarren said, shoving Lennox into Barry.
Lennox whirled around, fist cocked. 'You touch me again, I'll knock your ass out, nigga. Don't you fucking put your hands on me. You too, white boy, you better sit your ass down.' He snarled at them, like a beast trapped in a cage.
Coach Heenan reached through the mob and put a hand on Lennox's shoulder. 'Settle down, kid. No need to get violent. Maybe you should—'
Lennox shrugged the hand off. 'Get the hell off me. Don't tell me shit. You ain't nothing special either. Just a lazy fuck who thinks he's so smart because he has the best players in the state. You—'
'Lennox, I think you should sit down and cool off,' Coach Heenan said.
The Dons' extra point had been successful. It was time for the kick-off, but the Trailblazers weren't moving, captivated by the argument. If it went any further, Coach Heenan thought it really would come to blows, and he didn't like Lennox's odds. As arrogant as the wild freshman was, he was still useful.
'Nah, fuck that!' Lennox shouted. 'You can't tell me shit. I don't need to cool off. I need you motherfuckers to step up! You ain't ever taught me shit, "COACH",' he spat the word with as much venom as a viper, 'you just been holding me back, and I ain't letting that happen anymore.'
Coach Heenan thought HE might get hit, but Lennox turned, anger still darkening his black eyes further. Lennox grabbed Kieran's jersey. Jarren and Barry pressed closer, each grabbing Lennox by the shoulder, but he didn't lessen his grip, nor did he attack any of them. He stared deep into Kieran's eyes and said:
'If you still wanna win. Pass me the fucking ball.'
He shoved Kieran aside, then tore away from the hands restraining him before stalking to the furthest spot on the bench and sitting down.
The kick-off ended in a touchback, and it was soon time for Lennox to return to the field.
Lennox rose, stalking out onto the field, not saying anything to anyone. His face was set in a scowl, his eyes locked on Ty.
Ty met him with a smile, eyes sparkling. 'Sounds like you guys had fun,' he said. 'What's the matter? Never been punched in the mouth before? What did Mike Tyson say? "Everyone has a plan 'til they get punched in the face." '
Lennox's lip curled into a snarl. He stared a hole through Ty, but said nothing in response to the taunts. Ty frowned. The air around Lennox was different. Ty settled into position, edging towards the outside, watching Lennox warily.
The ball was snapped. Kieran stepped back, looking to pass. He scanned the field quickly. The Trailblazers were frustrated. He couldn't remember ever being frustrated during a game, and now the entire team was, and they were playing worse because of it. No one was open. He'd hoped to ignore Lennox, but with no other targets, his gaze drifted that way.
Lennox had burst to the outside, rushing right by Ty, catching him by surprise. Lennox straightened, Ty clawing at his hip. He shook inside, straightened again, then leapt back, turning towards the sideline once more, coming back towards the Line of Scrimmage at an angle.
Ty was getting turned inside out by the rapid, untelegraphed cuts. He whirled. The ball was already in Lennox's hands, and he'd stopped himself just before the sideline. Lennox spun back and rushed straight towards Ty, charging up the sideline.
Ty wrapped his arms around him, though was hit square in the chest and flattened. Thankfully, he dragged Lennox with him. The strength Lennox exuded was nothing compared to Denzel's, but the ferocity was still a surprise.
Lennox pushed himself up off of Ty's chest and stalked back to the Trailblazers' huddle. Ty picked himself up, rubbing his chest through his pads. He glared at Lennox's back, returning to the Dons' huddle.
When they lined up against one another next, they stared at each other, two snakes poised to strike, two predators ready to pounce. Ty growled just before the snap.
Ty was still positioned to the outside, but this time Lennox faked out, then burst inwards on a Slant. Kieran was watching Lennox closely this time, the rest of the offence still lagging behind. He had to be wary of that OLB the Dons had too.
Ty jumped after Lennox, but he straightened, putting Ty a step behind. Rushing ahead, Lennox slanted across the middle of the field again, this time on a Post route.
Kieran stepped up away from the pressure—Donte rushed by, just out of reach—eyes locked on Lennox. He fired the ball in hard and low.
Lennox turned, catching it on his chest just before ramming into Zayden, barrelling him over. The Trailblazers, led by Lennox's wild resurgence, were racing down the field.
The Dons were hesitant. Ty couldn't piece it together. Everything had been going so well before, but now Lennox was going against everything Ty had been conditioned into expecting throughout the game.
Spike ran ahead for 5 yards.
Lennox's next burst inside was a real Slant, and earned the first down for the Trailblazers. Ty still felt a step behind. Each consecutive catch Lennox made only filled him with further unease. Coach Hoang's heart raced, unable to outrun the dread spreading through him.
Lennox's catches drew more attention. Subconsciously, the rest of the Dons were paying more attention to him, wary of his slicing attacks through the middle of the field. But when he sped through a Corner route, this increased attention carved a path for Barry to exploit. The big man rumbled through the field, dragging Dons with him as another successful reception brought about another first down.
The Trailblazers were well past half-field already and now they'd swarmed into scoring position, after all the work the Dons had done to cut the lead down to one possession.
Kieran turned to hand the ball off to Spike. Lennox shifted forward slowly, angling to keep Ty away from the ball. Ty pressed forward, and Lennox slapped his hands aside, slipping away down the field. It was Play-Action.
Ty recovered, sprinting alongside Lennox. A turn to the inside froze him, but it was only a slight hitch for Lennox before he continued ahead with another burst of speed. Ty gave chase, now a couple of steps behind, having to restart from almost a dead stop, whilst Lennox was still at full speed.
Kieran lobbed the ball over. Lennox found it, Ty a second later. It was too far. Ty couldn't reach it, but Lennox shouldn't either …
Lennox dove. He really was a pouncing beast then, like a lion, flying for a moment. The ball was his prey, and he sunk his claws into it, dragging his feet as he crashed into the end-zone, then slid out of it.
Ty pulled up short, panting hard. As he stared at Lennox, there was little anger on his face. Mostly it was confusion, but there was devastation in his eyes as well. He'd never seen anything like that from Lennox before, not during this game, nor on film.
Ty staggered back to the Dons' bench. The rollercoaster game hadn't worn down the fans one bit, their cries were still as loud as ever, and there wasn't a single one of them in their seats as the Trailblazers pushed their lead back out to 14 points.
The Trailblazers themselves were hesitant to celebrate with Lennox, but he pushed through them like they weren't there, stalking back to the bench. There was still hunger in his eyes, a dangerous grace to his step.
Coach Hoang was shaking again, as the kick-off followed, and Chris took the ball out to the 20-yard line. Even Coach Hoang struggled to wrap his head around what he'd just seen from the Trailblazers and Lennox Freeman. He knew it wasn't good, it could even spell the doom of the Dons. His nervous gaze fell on Ty. You could see the gears turning in Ty's head. The puzzle which he'd thought he'd finished turned out to be only a small section within another on a much grander scale, but he was determined to put it all together.
The Dons offence, the wind stolen from their sails, returned to the field for a single play before the fourth quarter. A 2-yard run from Chris brought the game to its last break.
Heading into the final quarter, the score read 28–14.