Luke Hoang stared at his phone screen. Even with Coach Long confirming the events of New Year's Eve, the video still didn't seem real. He knew Ty was arrogant, but to stir up a fight in front of all those people? Maybe he should've expected as much. Everyone defending him without hesitation? THAT was shocking … at least the team was on the same page.
When the fight was finished, the madness didn't stop; Ty cackled insanely as he was dragged from the building. Luke shook his head and put the phone down, turning his attention back to Coach Long and the rest of the Dons' staff as they crowded the gym's storage room. 'So what happened afterwards?' Luke asked.
'Well, I had to check on all the boys,' Coach Long said, 'but Aubrey stayed inside for a moment. The rest of the teams demanded both we and South Miami be disqualified from the tournament, and the byes reverted.'
Luke's heart was in his throat. After all that work, if those boys had thrown away their last chance because of something as juvenile as that brawl …
'Thankfully, the event's organisers didn't want any part in that.'
Luke exhaled deeply, but he still shook with barely bottled rage. 'What punishment did we get?' he asked.
'Punishment? Hmm, well, the thing is, they didn't give any. They said they'd leave it in the hands of the teams, saying we'd know how to handle ourselves best.'
'How many games did we suspend Stephen for?' Coach Norman asked. 'We'll need to be harder this time.'
'What?! No no no, you can't suspend any of the boys. Not Day, not Banks, certainly not Samuels.'
Coach Long looked down at him, expression hard to read. Luke had never known the man to be closed off; he was the opposite, always with his heart on his sleeve. Then again, the Dons had never faced such tough decisions, with such high stakes. Their loose, carefree nature had been allowed. Not anymore.
'We can't teach our boys that what they did is acceptable,' Coach Long finally said. Coach Norman nodded in agreement.
'What did they do? Protect their friend? Stop someone from beating on their brother? When did that become something we need to punish?'
'I know he's your favourite, Luke, but Ty started it. You know how he—'
'No, I don't know!' Luke was on the verge of ripping his armrests off. 'Why don't you tell me how he is? Because I know he's an arrogant little brat, and he talks a lot of shit, but he backs up every word. And last I checked, talking shit doesn't justify assault. Those boys stood up for one another; they don't deserve to have their final chance ripped away from them.'
Everyone took a breath as Luke's words reverberated around the compact room. His shaking slowly eased, and he stared at Coach Long, awaiting judgement.
'Violence like that still isn't right,' Coach Long said; Luke winced. 'Punches didn't need to be thrown, and we have to do something.'
'We can punish them in training, but we can't suspend anyone,' Luke suggested. 'Taking away just one player will be the end. We won't get past this next hurdle if we aren't at full strength, you know that. The boys deserve better than that. Most of them will never play with each other again after this. Do you really want to cut that short because they were too … rambunctious … while defending their friend?'
'Rambunctious.' Coach Long stifled a laugh as he shook his head. He mulled the thought over before nodding. 'Alright, Coach Hoang, have it your way. But I want this to be the most brutal week of training those boys will ever have. They need to be begging for mercy and forgiveness by the time the next game rolls around.'
Luke grinned. 'Then let's get to work.'
As they started to set up for the day's session of practice, emerging onto the field, Rabbit arrived, the first of any player to do so. Luke approached him, slipping into coaching mode as he did so.
'You might want to go home, Graham, and consider taking the week off, too.'
Rabbit blinked, looking at Coach Hoang as if he had just said the sun wouldn't come up. 'Did we…' he looked around then leaned closer, whispering as if speaking too loud would alter reality. '…Did we get k-kicked out?'
'You saw that too, huh? No, the team's still in the tournament, but this week's practices won't be so much practising, more like torture.'
'Oh!' Rabbit nodded, then turned away. He didn't walk off, however. Before long he even turned back to Coach Hoang. 'That's alright, Coach. I understand, a-and I'd like to stay with the team … i-if that's allowed.'
'You won't get special treatment just because you weren't there, Graham.'
'I know, Coach. B-But I'm part of the team. I won't abandon m-my teammates.'
Coach Hoang smiled. He wondered when the "freshies" as the older boys liked to call them, had fully integrated into the team like that. Regionals? During State? After the varsity team's back-to-back losses?
'Don't say I didn't warn you, Graham. You'll want to get warmed up for this one.'
Rabbit dropped his bag and planted himself, going through his stretches.
The first day back to school had been a strange one for Ty. Thankfully, his family hadn't reacted to his newfound infamy; for once he was grateful they didn't pay attention. But at school, he wasn't so lucky.
Walking through the halls, with his head down and earphones in, he could feel the stares. Everyone ogled him as if he were some attraction at a zoo. He was even called into the principal's office. Ty thought a suspension was coming for sure then, which would inevitably lead to a phone call home, then who knows what kind of whooping.
However, that suspension never came. Instead, it was a month of detention, both after school and during lunch breaks. Better than a suspension or expulsion, but the after school detention would make him late for practice, a fact that irritated Ty to no end.
Throughout the day, people kept staring and whispering to each other. They made it so obvious they were talking about him, even if they hid their words.
When he was finally freed from his classroom prison, he rushed through the halls and out to the practice field. When he arrived, the team was amid its punishment. They were on all fours, bear crawling up and down the field; Rabbit was the only JV member present, and conversely, Bella wasn't around.
Ty dumped his bag on the sideline. When Coach Hoang reached him, he was already down and stretching. 'You've got a lot of time to make up for, Samuels.'
Ty grunted but didn't let his complaints be heard; besides, they weren't with any of the coaches. His main grievance was the fact that he was the only Don to be punished for the fight. Apparently the video didn't capture the chaos once Richaun pounced on Ty. Of course, Ty's retaliation was front and centre.
It was a good punch, though. He'd lost count of how many times he'd rewatched that moment. The moment he broke Richaun's nose. The bastard was lucky he had a month to recover thanks to the bullshit bye the Cobras had been gifted.
Once Ty finished his stretches, he hurried onto the field, where he did his best to catch up to his teammates. Some were already dropping in exhausted heaps by the time he started his first bear crawl up the length of the field. He could already feel his muscles burning on his way back down.
They didn't stop until they'd all dropped to the ground. Ty was the last, of course, though before him JJ, Zayden, and Rabbit had been the final survivors. Even with Ty still racing up and down the field, the rest of the team was urged to their feet to move onto the next punishment.
Everyone was put into pairs, matched with someone as close to their height and weight as could be, leaving Rabbit on his own, waiting for Ty. Those pairs would take turns carrying each other up and down the stands overlooking the field.
Ty scowled when Rabbit came over and offered to help him up after he'd collapsed on the field. 'Can you even carry me, mouse?' Ty refused the hand, pushing himself up.
'I-I won't drop you,' Rabbit said. He turned his back, offering it to Ty.
Coach Hoang was watching, smirking too. Ty glared across the field at him before hopping onto Rabbit, getting carried piggy-back style.
Rabbit had to get his bearings with the added weight before he lurched forward, walking steadily as they reached the stands. Others all around were already huffing and puffing, feet pounding up and down the steps as they lumbered with their cargo.
'If someone falls over or drops their teammate, that's twenty-five pushups for EVERYONE!' Coach Long shouted.
'You better not drop me,' Ty growled.
Rabbit said nothing, but tightened his grip as he started up the first step.
He didn't drop Ty, and overall, there was only two drops, and both came from the pairing of Zayden and Deshaun. Zayden dropping Deshaun was accidental, but nobody would accuse Deshaun's drop of being an accident.
When Coach Long finally allowed the Dons to stop, Ty and Rabbit felt as if they'd caught up to the others. But after a break that lasted only long enough to let the boys gulp down a few mouthfuls of water, it was back to work.
A weighted sled of five dummies, simulating an Offensive Line, sat in the middle of the field. The dummies were all connected to the same counterweight, meaning they could only tilt back as a group. Coach Long stood in front of the contraption.
'We're not leaving here until EVERYONE has pushed this sled up.' He looked around. No faces had dropped yet. It wasn't too arduous a task five-on-five. Even Coach Long had to admit he took a little pleasure in what came next. 'And you're going one at a time.'
'WHAT?!' Stephen and Deshaun were the most offended. The taller of the two cast his eyes over Ty and Rabbit. 'That's impossible. At least let those who can do it go home.'
'A wise man once said, a team's only as strong as its weakest link. You'll support your weakest links until they become your strongest; otherwise we can forfeit the game against Desert Christian.'
There were more grumbles and angry glares thrown around the gathering. Ty and Rabbit weren't the only ones receiving scowls. Most of the team would struggle to lift the sled on their own.
'Line up!' Coach Norman shouted. 'The faster you boys get through this, the earlier we all go home.'
'We'll be right here with you until you're done,' Coach Long said. 'While you're waiting, hold a plank and crawl forward in line.'
The coaches were quite satisfied with the groans and complaints, even catching a mutter of "this is bullshit" from amongst the boys as they formed a line, then dropped into planks. Stephen was the first to challenge the sled.
He stomped over to it and hunkered down. The giant waited for the whistle before bursting forward. He rammed his shoulder into the shed; it rattled heavily but didn't budge.
Rabbit went next, nearly bouncing off the dummy, and Stephen groaned, shaking his head. Coach Hoang watched closely. 'You all might want to call your parents and tell them you'll be late getting home.'
A collective groan went up as the next boy up, Donte, failed as well. One by one, the Dons stepped up to the challenge, and one by one they fell before the dummies. Ty was second-to-last in the line, and running into the dummy was like running into a brick wall. Behind him was JJ.
JJ took his place before the dummies, eyeing them up and down as he lowered into a three-point stance. He gritted his teeth; Ty had only seen him as focused and stone-faced when he challenged King Denzel.
The whistle shrieked and metal screamed as JJ exploded from his stance, rocking the sled and lifting the dummies into the air. He had all the violence of a car crash locked into two fists, and Ty had to wonder what would've happened if it was JJ who tackled Richaun off him.
The front of the sled slammed back to the ground, and cheers spread through the watching boys. Though they were short-lived.
'Everyone back in line,' Coach Long said. 'You've seen how it's done; now it's your turn. Julian, you can wait on the sideline.'
JJ stepped aside, and Stephen took his place and stance. Yet when the whistle blew, the only thing that crashed was Stephen as he once again failed to lift the sled. Just like that, the hope from JJ's success was snuffed out.
No one else succeeded. Jay's turn came around, Ty alone behind him. He approached the sled, scratching his chin. When the whistle blew, he didn't move, still crouched there, watching, as if waiting for it to make the first move. When Jay finally pounced, it was as quick as Ty had ever seen him move. He pushed strangely, at first jamming his hands up under the two stubs on the dummy representing shoulders, then just as his hands were slipping, he smashed his forearms against the dummy's neck and tilted it back, making it look easy.
Ty blinked, still not sure of what he'd just watched, and he had the best view of it directly behind Jay. Everyone else was stunned, no cheers breaking through their shock.
'Samuels!' Coach Hoang yelled, snapping Ty back to his senses. 'You're up! Stop holding up the line.'
Ty squatted. JJ was much easier to imitate than whatever magic Jay had pulled off. All he needed was all his strength compressed into one burst of power. The whistle blew, and he shot up like a rocket … but the sled was as unmovable as a mountain.
Again the team lined up, and at the rate they were going, they would be stuck there until school began the next day.
But on the third time through the order, there was more luck. Stephen started it, smashing into the sled and tilting it up into the air. He roared with triumph and threw it back down before stamping off, shouting about not making him wait long. Donte, Cameron, and more followed in his wake.
Still, there were those who struggled. Cole, Zayden, and Deshaun to name a few. Rabbit looked like he'd hurt himself before he moved the thing a millimetre, and Stephen complained that the JV freshy shouldn't count.
Ty's turn came back around. He put both hands on the turf in front of the sled. One smooth burst. Like a sprinter coming out of the blocks. "Just imagine you're all that's in between Denzel and the end-zone."
Again he shot forward; again he failed to move the sled.
Chris and Benny were among those who succeeded on the fourth go round. While the line was dwindling, there wasn't much hope left for those who remained; the rest of the Receivers and the secondary weren't exactly known for their strength.
The fifth round was the worst. When it finally got to Ty, the final boy in the line now, no-one had passed. He stood before the sled, panting. He was missing something. Jay's solution was a sorcery Ty—and everyone else—couldn't piece together, but there had to be a way.
The answer was painfully obvious once it finally fell into place. "I need speed, not strength." He backed up further, urging the line to give him more space. The coaches didn't protest his unorthodox approach.
Ty took a sprinter's stance again, and charged forward, building up a head of steam before he ducked down in front of the dummy and exploded upwards. Exhaustion hit him like a truck when the sled tilted back.
He stumbled out of the way and staggered over to the sideline. Cheers rained down again as his teammates thumped him on the back.
It was like Ty had given the others the key. Using speed to enhance their impact, all but Rabbit passed on the next go through.
All eyes were on Rabbit as the last boy left. Even then he failed once more, jamming his shoulder against the dummies and collapsing for a moment. He bounced up as quickly as he'd bounced off the sled.
Ty sighed, and it wasn't just Stephen complaining about how they shouldn't have to wait for someone on JV. It seemed everyone but Jay—and he probably only because he was already sleeping on the bench—shared the same sentiment.
'Need I remind you boys, you're all part of the same team?' Coach Long said, sternly dressing down the complaining boys. 'It doesn't matter if you're varsity or JV, we're all Dons here. We don't leave until EVERYONE'S finished.'
As Rabbit lined up again, awaiting Coach Hoang's next whistle, JJ jogged over to him and stopped him. He pulled Rabbit close and cupped one of his large ears. Whatever words of wisdom JJ imparted, they were for Rabbit alone.
They parted with smiles, and JJ pressed a fist to Rabbit's heart. Rabbit clutched his shirt over his chest as he turned his attention back to the sled. He took a deep breath, rocked back on his heels, then loped forward.
It was a controlled runup, not a sprint like the others used. It was more like a high-jumpers precise gait. When he approached the sled, he ducked down, almost coming to a complete stop before he sprung up, slamming into the dummy, knocking the sled into the air.
'FINALLY!' Stephen roared, dropping to his knees. You'd have thought they just won the championship again the way he carried on.
Coach Long beamed at everyone, belly rumbling with laughter. 'Alright, good work today, everyone. Go home and get some rest. Tomorrow will make today's practice seem like a day at the beach.'
Others wasted no time snatching up their things and hurrying off the field, barely looking back to say goodbye to the coaches. Ty grunted as he grabbed his bag. Maybe the little mouse wasn't worthless.