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| >> Static Item >> Other >> Sports >> ID #1598055 |   |
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A NIGHT TO REMEMBER!
Based on a True Event written by: S. Patten-Forster This was it. Mike's mom was more nervous than her eight year old son. It was Mike's first season of Tackle Football on the city's league and he loved it. Their team was the Buffalo Bisons. He always said the tackling was his favorite part and always told his mom all about the different ways of tackling he tried during practices. It was a bright, sunny, Sunday afternoon in October. The air was crisp and fresh. Mike's mom was making sure they had all of the football gear, blankets, coats and lunch cooler in the trunk of the car. Mike's six year old sister, Alex was in her room finishing up with her 'cheerleader outfit'. She had a special red shirt and skort that she always wore to her brother's games. She had designated herself as Head Cheerleader and had a loud, clear peppy voice that could be heard clear across a football field to the players bench. How did she know she could be heard from that far away? Because her brother confirmed this several times with a roll of his big, brown eyes. Their mom had helped Alex out by printing out Cheers for Alex off the family computer and taught them to her. Alex had them all memorized. "Okay you two. We're all set. Let's go!" mom called. All settled and buckled in the car, they set off for Cambridge. It was a beautiful day for the drive. The car windows were wide open and their favorite music was turned right up. Mike always said the music helped him pump him up for his games. After following the map, they arrived at their destination. The parking lot was filled with cars, parents and boys in colorful uniforms. Mike spotted several of his teammates in his eagerness to get out of the car. "Well you two. Are you ready?" Mom asked as she grabbed up keys, purse and cooler. In answer to her question, both passenger doors were already open as Mike and Alex were both anxious to get down to the field. Mike was his usual quiet, contemplative self while Alex chatted on endlessly. As everyone ventured closer to the playing field with arms laden with coats, blankets, coolers and lawn chairs. They could feel the excitement mounting. The field was already freshly chalked at each yard line. Loud music was blaring from the big speakers and there was an official Announcer walking up and down the field with a cordless microphone. The Scoreboard and bright, overhead field lights were lit. This gave both the boys and their families the aura of a Professional Football Game. Loudspeakers, Field Lights, Music, Uniforms. "GIVE ME A B...GIVE ME AN I..." Alex began with her young but clear voice. She chanted and cheered all the way down to the field; proudly waving her pom poms for all to see. While Alex was cheering her little heart out for her brother's team, Mike was pumped and ready to play. "Hey, Tyler. Hey Dave," Mike called out. Within minutes, Mike joined the rest of his teammates. "Bye Mom!" he called with a wave. He left the side of the field with the others to join their Coach for their pre-game warm-up exercises. While most of the team were practicing defense plays and tackles; Riley, the teams' Quarterback was off to one side practicing with Jacob, the Runningback. Riley was fast and agile, where Jacob was the running bullet of the team. He was the smallest and fastest player. He was one who could outrun anyone, including Riley. Once Jacob got the ball tucked under his arm, there wasn't a person on his team who could catch up to him. As mom steered Alex towards an open space in between other parents, she said, "Come on Alex. We better squeeze in here before the game starts. I want to get a great view of the game." Alex quickly agreed as she spotted some of her 'cheering friends.' Some parents were already getting comfortable on the bleachers, while others preferred to bring their own lawn chairs, enabling them to sit right up close to the chalk lines. Talking became minimal when the parents noticed the teams lining up behind their Goal Posts. "Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming to tonight's exciting game between the Cambridge Panthers and the Brantford Bisons! Please give a warm welcome to our team players." After the recorded playing of the National Anthem, the announcer proceeded to call out each player's name. As each boy was called, he ran out from his goal post, high-fived the Coach and stopped in center-field. All the excitement made Mike's mom shiver with anticipation and Alex to cheer even louder. "...stand up, sit down, fight, fight, fight!!" she cheered and shook her pom poms. "Push 'em back, push 'em back, waaaaay back!" she went on. The Announcer continued to call out every play made by each player throughout the game. After the 1st quarter, Cambridge was ahead by two touchdowns and Brantford hadn't been able to score. By half-time Cambridge was still ahead. But it still didn't take away from the excitement. It was now dark out, but with all the field lights, the scoreboard lit up and the music, everyone was pumped up and cheering their teams on. Mike's team Quarterback, Riley, made tremendous attempts. He would get the football tucked under his arm and dart off wherever he could get an opening. He ducked and dodged. He'd throw it up towards Jacob, but a player from the other team was always there and ready to intercept. Alex was right on the sidelines chanting, "Push 'em to the left!! Push 'em to the right! Stand up, sit down, fight, fight, fight!" She went on and on. Her voice never faltering. Mike and Alex's mom watched both her children proudly. She watched her son taking his place on the field, running and tackling. And when her daughter would do a cheer, she would encourage her with a tender smile. Then, with only seconds left in the game, Coach Dave called all of his boys off the field for a pep talk. All the parents stood breathlessly on the sidelines. Some fathers were calling out to their sons until they were hoarse, while others were up and down the sidelines barely containing themselves from stepping onto the field. There was an electric charge in the air encompassing the playing field. "Come on Tyler!" called one father. "Defense, guys! Defense!" called another. Coach Dave sent the team back out onto the field. They were backed right up against their goal line. Cambridge had been winning the game by one touchdown throughout most of the game. With only 13 seconds left on the timer, everyone thought the game was over. Then, when Riley got the ball, it was a straight and direct pass to Jacob. With a perfect catch, Jacob tucked the treasured ball under his arm and shot out from the pack of players. As he sprinted up the outside edge of the field. Pandemonium broke out. One by one, the other team gave up on trying to catch up. Little Jacob ran his hardest and fastest up the side of the field, past all the screaming parents for a joyous and exuberant touchdown! The bulk of the team were down at the goal line jumping all over each other while patting Riley and Jacob on the back. Back in center-field, were two very happy boys. Mike and Tyler. Mike was excitedly doing a happy 'jig' while Tyler was doing a 'funky dance'. Their smiles were so wide, they could be seen from under their helmets back at the sidelines. Glancing up at the Scoreboard, it showed the teams were tied. There was only 3 seconds left on the clock. Could they do it?? Poor Alex had been cheering and jumping around waving her pom poms all evening. Her mom could tell she was getting tired. She was losing some of her 'pep' along with her voice. For the last play of the game, Mike's team was directly at the Cambridge goal and it was their shot for a field goal to give them the winning point. Riley had the honors of giving the field kick. With total concentration, focus and aim; he put all his strength into the one kick. It was up and over to win the game by one point. The field exploded in pandemonium. Coaches, players on the bench, field players, parents and families went wild!! The team was jumping around uncontrollably in jubilation. Coaches' coffee cups went straight up in the air along with their caps. It was the most exciting game of the season. Mom and Alex ran onto the field to meet Mike along with the other parents. Mike greeted his mom and sister with shining, sparkling eyes as bright as the overhead field lights with all the excitement an eight year old boy can handle. "Mom! Alex! Did you see that?! Did you see it?! Wasn't that awesome?!" he yelled excitedly over and over. His smile was so wide it hurt his cheeks while his face was absolutely glowing. "Yes! I did, buddy! That was awesome! You did a great job out there tonight," Mom yelled back over the excitement as she gave her son a thumbs up sign. After they finally made their way back to their belongings and started packing up, Alex gave a great big yawn with heavy lidded eyes, and arms drooping at her sides. While making their way up to the car parking lot, Mom glanced at her son. She knew Mike would be wearing his grin until he dozed off. It had been quite an exciting night for everyone. She also knew tonight would be one night her son would never forget. He had a golden opportunity tonight that every boy dreams of. Mom proudly and lovingly observed Mike and Alex as they dozed off dreaming happy dreams. The End Word Count: 1682
© Copyright 2009 Temagami (Guiding Light) (UN: temagami at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved.
Temagami (Guiding Light) has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work. |
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