Due to the intensity of high school leagues, many games often end with both teams only scoring a little over ten points.
However, in this top ten qualifying match, Medford High and Saint Mary's had already reached a score of 24:16 shortly after the second quarter began.
This situation already exceeded the typical intensity of high school leagues.
Of course, the excitement continued.
When Medford High had a second chance to score, Mike once again used his superb dribbling skills to help the Medford Team gain two more points.
Afterwards, Saint Mary's, having exchanged possession, also launched a counterattack.
They once again used their powerful rushing ability to close the gap in the score.
As players from both sides went back and forth, the game became increasingly intense.
And being able to witness such a thrilling game live also kept the audience's enthusiasm high.
As the game progressed, by the end of the third quarter, the score was 33:30. Medford High maintained its lead with a slight advantage.
For Medford High, there was also good news: they still had possession at the start of the fourth quarter.
This was a good opportunity to widen the score.
During the two-minute break, George did not explain tactics to the players.
Looking at the tired players, he encouraged them, "Kids, you've done very well, and I'm proud of you. Keep it up, keep going, victory belongs to us."
With three quarters plus halftime and timeouts, the game had been going on for almost an hour.
The high-intensity confrontation was testing the players' physical endurance.
It could also be said to be a test of will.
George looked at Sam, who was slumped on the side with his head down, and asked with concern, "Sam, how are you doing? Can you still hold on?"
In the previous three quarters of confrontation, Sam had performed very tenaciously. Although he didn't completely shut down the opponent's number seventy-four, he still played some role.
Medford High's slight lead was definitely partly due to Sam's effort.
"I can still hold on, Coach—" Sam stubbornly lifted his head, his face covered in sweat as if it had been washed.
As a former school bully, Sam had his own pride; he could not tolerate his own incompetence.
He had experienced that feeling of powerlessness once with Mike. Now, he would never allow himself to lose to the opponent's number seventy-four again.
George understood Sam's determination. He patted him on the shoulder and said, "You are a good kid. Don't push yourself too hard; if you can't hold on, tell me anytime."
The two-minute break passed in an instant, and players from both sides re-entered the field for the final showdown.
As the players entered, the audience's enthusiasm was ignited once again.
Amidst the cheers and shouts, Sam wiped the sweat from the corners of his eyes, looking up at the big guy opposite. This time, he didn't provoke him with words, but his gaze was more determined than ever.
Beep—
The whistle blew, and Medford began their offense.
Sam quickly moved sideways, getting in front of number seventy-four, who was preparing to intercept the football.
Then, with a "bang," the two big guys collided.
Sam, who was a size smaller, fell to the ground, and then, with strong willpower, he reached out, trying to pull Oher.
Beep—
Because Sam continued to pull the opponent after falling, Medford High received an offensive foul.
Perhaps infected by Sam's strong will, Oher's simple face showed a friendly smile.
Then, his large body bent down, intending to help Sam up.
Sam stubbornly waved his hand, signaling no need.
Then, the Medford players who rushed over separated Oher and helped Sam up.
This time, the Medford Team did not show dissatisfaction due to Sam's foul; instead, a hint of admiration appeared.
"You're bleeding from your nose…" Mike walked closer, reminding him.
Sam took off his helmet and wiped his nose; a streak of blood appeared on his finger.
It was evident that his physical strength had reached its limit, and his face was somewhat pale.
Mike raised his hand, signaling George to call a timeout.
Then, a group of players helped Sam to the sidelines.
From a tactical standpoint, Sam, being the largest player on the Medford Team, was indeed the most suitable to defend the opponent's big guy, number seventy-four.
However, given his current condition, he was no longer suitable to continue playing the game.
And without Sam's containment, if the opponent's number seventy-four were to fully utilize his physical advantage, many unexpected situations might arise in the rest of the game.
No one wanted to see such a situation.
Just as George was contemplating a countermeasure, Mike proactively spoke up, "Coach, why don't you let me deal with that big guy? I'm confident I can contain him."
Mike was recognized as the strongest player on the Medford Team in terms of physique, so letting him contain the opponent's strongest player, number seventy-four, was indeed a good idea.
George, having no better countermeasure, was initially somewhat swayed. However, he quickly shook his head and refused, "No, Mike. You are our offensive core. If you put your energy into defense, it will definitely disrupt the team's overall offensive rhythm."
The players also nodded in agreement after hearing George's words.
Of the 33 points Medford had scored on the field, more than half were obtained by Mike on the offensive end, relying on his exceptional individual strength.
It indeed seemed unreasonable for such a major offensive core to go and play defensive support.
"Don't jump to conclusions," Mike analyzed the situation: "After the first three quarters, I found that although their rushing ability is very strong, it relies too much on that number seventy-four.
As long as I can limit number seventy-four in the fourth quarter, their offensive firepower will essentially be choked off."
Mike could see that the rushing tactic employed by Saint Mary's was an on-the-fly adjustment by their coach.
And the success of this tactic depended on the strong blocking ability of their number seventy-four. If number seventy-four could be contained, half of their rushing tactic would be nullified.
As Mike explained, the situation on the field gradually became clear.
It was at this moment that Mike continued, "Moreover, I trust my teammates. Without the threat of number seventy-four, they will definitely be able to stop the opponent's offense."
Of course, the premise of all these speculations was that Mike could truly limit the opponent's number seventy-four.
If he really did what he said, and the opponent's coach continued to use a rushing tactic unfamiliar to his own players, Then the ensuing situation would definitely be a surprise for Saint Mary's.
Listening to Mike's vision for the future and his trust in them, the Medford players' eyes slowly became more determined.
Anyone who joins a football team has a desire to prove themselves.
Now, Mike was giving them that opportunity.
George also realized that Mike's suggestion was the easiest way for Medford High to achieve victory now.
However, the premise of all this was that Mike could limit the opponent's number seventy-four.
This was not an easy task.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" George was still a little uneasy.
"Of course, it's all for victory," Mike said casually.
In fact, Mike, possessing the Demon Body, didn't care about confrontation or injury.
"Alright—"
Mike's vision for victory moved George. He called the players together and discussed the tactical arrangements for the upcoming game.