“It’s been a brutal first quarter for the Terrebonne Tigers here in Shreveport, but thanks to their defense they’re still hanging in there. Jackson heads out onto the field and Coach Pierce McCoy would’ve told his quarterback to hold onto the ball after putting it on the turf twice last drive to kill any momentum they could’ve drummed up.”
Danny felt as if an elephant was sitting on his chest as he went through his cadence. Each play made him more anxious, more nervous, more fearful of messing up. Each time he thought he’d figured out what Euless’ defense was doing, he was wrong.
He changed the protection. Clapping his hands, he called for the snap. As it had been the entire game so far, the offensive line was eviscerated, and he was flushed out of the pocket. He ran toward the sideline, trying to keep the play alive. He pumped once but decided to get rid of it and pulled his arm back to throw it away.
Before he could, a defensive lineman smashed into his back, jarring the ball loose.
Fortunately, it rolled out of bounds.
The young quarterback could hear the groans of the crowd and knew they were growing displeased with his poor performance. Glancing over, he saw Keilan and Freddie shadowing Coach McCoy’s every move, likely waiting for the signal to go warm up.
…
“Jackson throws a duck downfield just as he’s getting hit and he’s lucky that one isn’t picked off. Third and ten for the Tigers on their own 42.”
…
“McCoy goes with the safe option and dials up a run on third down. Santiago takes it up the middle for a gain of two before being brought down.”
…
“Well, it looks like Pierce McCoy is keeping his offense out there again. You’d think after giving Euless short fields on their past two drives that they’d punt it, but here we go. Jackson’s in the shotgun, four split out wide three by one.
“Jackson gets the snap and he finally has time to scan the field as the Trojans drop eight into coverage. The sophomore steps up and heaves it downfield toward Jenkins and--- it’s well off-line and PICKED OFF! Jackson missed that one by a mile and Erik Jenkins has it going the other way! Euless has a convoy around him and he’s going to waltz into the endzone, 16-0 Trojans!”
…
Caesar stood in the spot where he’d stopped when he noticed the ball was poorly thrown, his hands on his hips. Yanking at his chin strap, he stalked toward the sideline. He spotted Danny and grabbed the sophomore by his shoulder pads.
“Are you fucking blind?! I’m not a fucking gunner and you aren’t a fucking punter! You’re supposed to at least throw it in my direction, you dumbfuck!” Caesar shoved him away and went toward the bench, ignoring Coach McCoy who called his name.
…
“Terrebonne looks to have gone more conservative here with a run on first down, but Santiago doesn’t get very far.”
…
“Another run by Terrebonne and Santiago breaks this one for a first down – their first one of the game. The Tigers fans give an ironic cheer.”
…
“Jackson puts that one in the dirt and in the closing moments of the first quarter, Terrebonne’s quarterback looks like he’ll go an entire period of this one only throwing complete passes to the other team.”
…
“Jackson is flushed out of the pocket for what feels like the thousandth time and flicks a short pass over the middle and – it’s picked off by Ray Jones. Trojans football.”
…
“Braxton Barrios drops back and fires a laser to DeAndre Matthews for a first down. You can definitely see the difference between the senior on Euless’ sideline and the sophomore on Terrebonne’s.”
…
“Hand off to Tito Villaneuva and he gashes the Terrebonne defense for a gain of 20 to put Euless in scoring positions after only a couple of plays.”
…
“Barrios finds Rodriguez in the back of the endzone and it’s 23-0 Trojans.”
…
Devin shook his head as he walked off the field. Glancing back of his shoulder at the other team celebrating, he realized it’d been a long time since he’d felt this outmatched in a game. It was like they were playing a D-I school.
He sighed and jogged the rest of the way to the bench.
…
“Jackson fakes the hand-off, turns around and is BLOWN UP! Erik Jenkins with a highlight reel sack on that one. You really have to wonder if Pierce McCoy is thinking about pulling Jackson out of the firing line. He can’t even see a safety creeping up to blitz!”
…
“Martin is tackled in the backfield by Fernandez and Terrebonne’s going in the wrong direction.”
…
“Jackson drops back and dumps it off to Santiago in the flats. He gains a couple yards before being pushed out of bounds. That’s Jackson’s first completion in the game. With 6:47 remaining in the second quarter.”
…
“Passing here on third down. Jackson breaks free from a sack and sprints toward the sideline. He falls back to avoid getting hit and throws it off his back foot. And that’s his third interception of the game, and Erik Jenkins’ second.”
…
“King misses the tackle on the first attempt, but kudos to him for getting back up and pulling down Rodriguez before he can get the first down.”
…
“Touchdown Trojans! Villaneuva takes it straight up the middle and carries a couple Tigers into the endzone with him.”
…
“Terrebonne takes the field at midfield after a great kick return. Jackson in the shotgun. Five receivers on the field. He drops and fires it out quickly to Caesar Jenkins who makes the catch for a gain of seven.”
…
“The Tigers are rushing back to the line. Jackson snaps it quickly and throws it just as fast to Jones on the crosser. First down, Terrebonne. They could be picking up some momentum here.”
…
“Terrebonne back up to the line quickly. Jackson makes an adjustment at the line. He drops back and fires it over the middle. It’s tipped and picked off! This time Euless’ other safety, Willie Cochrane has it. He’s marked down at the 40.”
“Terrebonne is really going to have to think about a quarterback change at halftime.”
“What’s the problem? Y’all forgot to play football? Left your fucking nuts back in Alexandria or something?” McCoy asked, looking around. “That shit that I saw out there was fucking pathetic. I don’t give a damn if you were playing the New England Patriots in Tom Brady’s day, y’all gave up. If Euless didn’t run the damn ball so much, it’d be 56-0.”
“Maybe you should put a quarterback in who can throw the ball,” Caesar said under his breath, drawing a few snickers from the players closest to him.
The coach glanced at him. “I’d answer that, but considering I saw you get killed a few times out there. I don’t want people to think I see dead people. Now shut the fuck up.”
Caesar’s lip curled up, but he didn’t speak.
“We’re going to get back into this game,” McCoy said. He dragged a SmartBoard over to the middle of the floor. He wrote on it ‘keep it simple, stupid.’ “No more long developing routes. No more shots down the field. We’re going to dink and dunk our way down the field. Long as we’re getting three yards a pop, we’re gonna be alright.”
...
McCoy caught Danny before they jogged back onto the field. “Where’s your head at, son?”
“I—I—I’m fine.”
“Nope. Nope. Nope, you’re not.” He held up three fingers on one hand and four on the other. “Three completions. Four interceptions. One half. I don’t care who you are. That’s going to mess with your head. But that’s a good thing.”
“How is that a good thing, coach?”
“You can’t get any worse than that. What’s another four interceptions?”
“A record?”
McCoy shook his head. “No one thinks you’re going back out there. You’re playing with house money now. Keep it simple. One read, either it’s there or it’s not. If it ain’t, run. Just make sure you get downhill and pick up something then get down. Simple.”
…
“Barrios flips it out to Johnson on the swing pass and he’s brought down for a loss by Olivier.”
…
“Third and long. Trojans are set up to pass here. Three by one. Barrios gets the snap and scans the field. He’s flushed out of the pocket and has to throw it away! It’ll be fourth down for Euless. There hasn’t been much to cheer about on the home sideline but that’s a huge three and out for the Tigers!”
…
“Danny Jackson still out there for Terrebonne after throwing four interceptions in the first half. Terrebonne with three receivers all to the left side of the field. Jackson calls for the snap and quickly fires it out to Caesar Jenkins on the screen. Jenkins plows forward for a gain of four before being brought down.”
…
“Santiago takes the ball off tackle and picks up a few before he’s taken down by Ratcliffe.”
…
“Third and short. Jackson takes one step back, turns and hits Jones on the crossing route. He’s brought down by Erik Jenkins after a gain of five but it’s enough for a first down.”
…
“Another short run up the middle. Gain of two.”
…
“Jackson to John on a short drag and it’s a gain of four.”
…
“Santiago catches it in the flats and takes it upfield for three before getting piled on. Fourth and one. Terrebonne’s rushing back to the line. Caesar Jenkins comes in motion. Jackson snaps it and shovels the ball forward to Jenkins. He turns upfield and gets the first down. Euless piles on him, but he powers forward for a gain of five before being dragged down.”
…
“…gain of three.”
…
“…gain of two.”
…
“…gain of five.”
…
“…gain of three.”
…
“…gain of five.”
…
“…gain of four.”
…
“…gain of three.”
…
“…gain of six.”
…
“It’s been a long, slow, methodical drive but Terrebonne has worked their way into the redzone. The only issue is that they’re down 34-0 and have already taken six minutes off the clock here in the third quarter.”
Caesar motioned across the formation. He glanced across the defense as they shifted. That damn safety creeping to the line of scrimmage.
Danny snapped the ball, turned and fired a pass to Caesar. He pulled it in and stayed behind Noah and Jurgen as they shoved two corners down the field. Caesar burst through a small gap between them, covering the ball as one of the defenders tried to swat it away.
He got up the sideline and headed for the endzone.
An arm wrapped around the arm he held the ball in and ripped at it, but he managed to keep hold of the ball.
Caesar fought off a second attempt to strip the ball away, only a few yards from the goal line. He saw a flash of black out of the corner of his eye and dove for the endzone. Just as he reached over the line, he felt the collision at the pylon.
It hurt like hell, but he made sure to pop up this time and celebrate when the refs signaled the touchdown.
…
“Devin! C’mere!” Coach McCoy called before the defense took the field.
Devin jogged over. “Yeah, coach?”
“We need the ball back.”
“Got it, coach.”
McCoy grabbed Devin’s shoulder pads with one hand, hitting the opposite shoulder with the other as he spoke. “I need the ball back on this play. Get me that damn ball back.”
“Got it, coach.”
…
Devin followed the motioning receiver partly across the field, leaving him for Kenyatta as the defense shifted its coverage. He shaded to the inside of the slot receiver.
Barrios identified the blitz, though, and shifted his back over to pick it up. Devin crept back as if he was going to cover the receiver. Just as he set his feet, Barrios snapped the ball.
Devin shot in the backfield, taking a wide arc to avoid the left tackle. The runningback tried to chop block him, but he sidestepped the attempt and spun away. Hands to the ground, he stumbled back into a sprint.
He dove at brought his hand down across Barrios’ arm just as he raised it to throw.
He immediately started looking for the ball, finding it bouncing toward the sideline. Devin ran over, diving on top of it just as the back had made his way over to the same. Devin curled around the ball as more bodies fell on top of him.
After a few punches and stamps in the pile, the referees pulled it apart and Devin had managed to hold onto the ball.
…
“Before this possession, Coach Gene Atkins gave his team a walloping down on the Euless sideline. Atkins is known for his fiery personality, but you rarely see it come out in games as the Trojans usually run away with it. Keep in mind, they’re still leading 34-7 here in the last few minutes of the third quarter.”
“Terrebonne lines up here on the Trojans’ 39. Euless has lined up with their defense eye-to-eye with the Tigers’ offense, probably to take away those short gains that the boys from Louisiana used to get down the field on their last drive.”
…
Danny looked to the sideline as Coach McCoy signaled an audible. Danny raised his hands, confused. McCoy signaled the change again then pointed to his wrist and waved his hand in a circle. Not even Danny could miss the order for him to hurry up.
The sophomore relayed the audible to the offense, shifting the team around.
He got set and snapped the ball. Euless sent what seemed like an eight-man blitz. He pumped toward the flats and a defensive end jumped to bat the ball down. Danny reset his feet and threw it downfield toward Noah just as he was smashed from behind.
…
“John with the fingertip catch in the middle of the field for a gain of 15! Well, the Trojans didn’t expect that one!”
…
“Jackson rolls to his right and hits Jenkins on the comeback for a gain of 12. Another first down for the Tigers.”
…
“Terrebonne rushing back to the line. Jackson snaps it quickly and tosses it out to Santiago who quickly picks up 9 before being shoved out of bounds at the Euless 3.”
…
“The Tigers are still in the hurry up down inside the five. Jackson marshalling the offense. The Trojans are shuttling personnel on and off the field. Jackson calls for the snap, but it’s over his head. He’s gotta dive on that! Jackson picks it up at the 16 and barely avoids getting hit!
“He’s running for his life in the backfield! Dodges another tackle and turns upfield! Spins out of another tackle! This is an amazing run to still be behind the line of scrimmage! He pump fakes but decides against it, tucks it under his arm and heads for the endzone! Jackson dives for it! Jenkins and Jones there to meet him! Jackson is hit, spun in the air and…
“TOUCHDOWN TIGERS! Boy oh boy! What a run by that kid! This is a completely different team in the second half!”
…
“King, Lajaunie and Ledet in to make the stop and the Trojans will be forced to settle for a field goal.”
…
“37-14, Euless, here in the fourth quarter. Nine minutes left in the game, so don’t expect any comebacks but the Tigers have been playing some inspired football since coming back out of the locker rooms at half time.”
…
“Terrebonne comes out and runs the ball on first down from their own 30. Santiago is only able to pick up a handful before being taken down.”
…
“Jackson hits Jenkins for a gain of 11. The young fella has some confidence behind him now. That was probably his prettiest throw of the night.”
…
“Jackson takes this one himself and gains five.”
…
“Erik Jenkins swings Santiago down in the backfield for a loss of three.”
…
“The Tigers get all of that loss yardage back and more with a swing pass to Santiago who picks up the first down and a few extra yards before being brought down.”
…
“Jackson hits Jones for a gain of 7.”
…
“Jackson to Jenkins for 17.”
…
“Loss of yards on third down but the offense is going to stay out there and they get the first down!”
…
“Jones on the end of that one, he makes a man miss and he takes it all the way for a touchdown! All of a sudden it’s 37-20 and there are some inquests going down in the Euless defense.”
…
Coach McCoy held up two fingers and kept the offense on the field. He shouted the playcall to Danny and crouched down, his playcard twisted between his hands.
Coach Harrison stood next to him. “You sure we want to go for two? Fifteen or Sixteen, we’re still down three scores. Seventeen, though? Them dumbass nine-point plays died with the XFL back in 2020.”
…
“Danny Jackson and the Terrebonne offense still out there on the field. He has three receivers to his left. They’ve gone to a lot of screens from this set in the second half. Jenkins in motion. The snap is straight to him. He’s taking it wide. Erik Jenkins is the first to the ball and wraps him up. Caesar Jenkins tries to power the extra yard, and WHOA! I don’t know what you call that technique but what a show of strength in that tackle. Let me just check my notes here. The 6’1”, 175-pound Erik Jenkins just lifted the 6’6”, 197-pound Caesar Jenkins off his feet and slung him like a toddler. Two-point’s no good, still 37-20 here.”
…
McCoy sighed and stood up. He looked at his assistant, shaking his head. “They haven’t given up more than 21 in years. If we’re going to lose, ya know? Defense!”
…
“Barrios is going to take one last knee to send the clock to triple zeros and the Euless Trinity Trojans have outlasted a furious comeback attempt from the Terrebonne Tigers to win this matchup of the Louisiana-Texas Border Showdown, 37-20. Terrebonne can hold their heads up after that second half, but the hole was just too much to dig out of.”
…
Devin snapped off his chin strap and shook the hands of the players who were closest to him. He felt a tap on the back of his helmet.
Erik Jenkins hit him twice in the chest with an open palm as he passed by. “Good game, four. Next year, huh?”
“Yeah, you too, man,” Devin said, confused about the second part of what he’d said and he hadn’t stuck around for an answer to the vague question.
…
Caesar sat on the bench, his legs outstretched and crossed at his ankles. He spotted Erik Jenkins walking toward the middle of the field, ignoring most of the Terrebonne players doing the sportsmanlike thing and shaking hands with their opponents.
The two of them exchanged glares before they both grimaced and spit on the turf nearby.
Caesar stood up and headed for the locker room, ready to get back to the hotel and sneak out to meet up with Kaley.