Explosions of Grandeur.

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Captain Canada
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Explosions of Grandeur.

Post by Captain Canada » 10 Jul 2019, 17:13

Wonder whats going on there. This one really has potential, if you can stay with it.

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Soapy
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Explosions of Grandeur.

Post by Soapy » 11 Jul 2019, 10:21

"Spread 22 Right Quick 1 Switch Ocean, Spread 22 Right Quick 1 Switch Ocean, silent, silent, go!"

James took a step forward and rested his hands on the inside of his shoulder pad, adjusting his neck as he watched the offense get settled in front of him.

"Green 80! Green 80!"

He clapped his hands and within seconds, the ball was in his hands. He placed it in front of him as Jason sprinted across his face before turning up-field, forcing the linebackers to take head. James took a two-step drop, planting his foot firmly on his last drop step before driving the ball towards the seam to Noah. Noah stretched out his arms and brought the ball down before making a quick move on the oncoming safety before exploding for the touchdown.

"Nice throw," coach Butler commended James before turning his attention to the next man up "Brian, get your ass in there, same thing."

The quarterback took a knee next to Chase as he watched the gangling freshman sheepishly relay the plays to the rest of the first team offense.

"He sure as shit ain't his brother," Chase joked as Brian's pass bounced to Noah's feet, drawing an outburst from him.

"Brandon wasn't always Brandon," James reminded Chase, "He was sorry as shit my freshman year, I was just somehow even worse."

"You still talk to Brandon?"

"Here and there," James shrugged, "We were thinking of making a trip up there once he gets settled and shit, he apparently had issues with his roommate or something."

"Brandon? Having an issue? With someone? I don't think I've even seen him raise his voice," Chase laughed, drawing a stare from coach Butler who was coaching up the young freshman.

The entire energy of the practice shifted as eyes soon started to wander towards the track that separated the varsity and JV field. You could see players getting closer to each other, whispering, pointing. James acted like he didn't see it at first but even he couldn't deny it after a while.

"Water up," coach Collins blew his whistle, putting practice to a break as he started his slow trek to the track. Coach Butler joined him as well.

"Lookie's here," Iman joked to Noah as he tilted his head towards Jalen who was now surrounded by coach Collins and coach Butler, his dad completing the foursome.

Noah didn't even bother to look as he took a water bottle from one of the trainers and squeezed out the lukewarm liquid into his mouth.

"He's got some balls," Austin shook his head as he joined James, Iman and Noah.

"You'd have done the same shit," Noah shrugged, "That man just trying to do what's right for his people."

"A month out from the season? Come on," Austin wouldn't budge, "I don't care what they offer, I'm not doing that to my teammates a month before our first game."

"First of all," Noah spat out the water from his mouth onto the grass, "He ain't done shit yet or owe nothing to any of us. More importantly, your ass ain't good enough to even get that offer so you don't gotta worry about that."

The junior tight end tensed up his fists and took a step toward Noah but James quickly got in between the two.

"Gentlemen," he said with a laugh, "Coach probably going to make us do inside drill today so no need for us to waste our energy here. Besides, Jalen probably going to end up coming back."

"You think so?" Iman inquired as Austin finally relaxed up and reverted his focus back to hydrating.

"Why else would he show up? Especially during practice," James explained, "I talked to coach Butler too and he said he's been talking to his dad and stuff so he's probably going to come back. Their season starts in a month now too and I don't care how good that boy is, he's not picking up a whole another playbook. Their schedule ain't no joke either."

"He is pretty good," Austin chuckled, a sign that he was over the whole situation. Noah continued to not engage in the conversation as he looked off into the distance.

"I hope so," Iman continued, "We miss you with the DBs, man. I know your ass miss that shit too."

"Miss is a strong word," James said with a coy smile, knowing damn well Iman was telling the truth.

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Soapy
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Explosions of Grandeur.

Post by Soapy » 11 Jul 2019, 11:33

"Check Leon's instagram," Iman said as he furiously moved his finger across his phone screen.

James obliged but went at his own pace, carelessly opening his phone and going to Instagram. He didn't need to do any scrolling to find out what sent Iman into a panic.

"My phone's blowing up right now," Iman said as James could hear his notifications from across the room.

There it was, all in succession. James scrolled up and down, going back and forth between the four posts that were atop his timeline. They were all a screenshot of a notepad with the letters and words in each notepad different but more or less the same. They thanked the coaching staff, their teammates. Jason, ever the future pro, even made sure to thank the trainers and the faculty members. They said it was a tough decision, that they needed to do what's best for their family and hoped the fans would understand.

"Snake ass niggas man," Iman shook his head, "Noah was just in here with us, man. I'm going to call that nigga, man."

"And tell him what?" James scoffed, "They made their choice."

James continued to throw the tennis ball against the wall and catching it with one hand. He was looking forward to improving his hands, something he never focused on. There would be no need for that, not with Jalen confirming his transferring to Calabasas with a social media post. That part -- even with coach Butler's recent reassurance -- was expected. What wasn't was Jason, Noah and Leon all joining him 50 miles up north for the CIF runner ups.

"They're fucking loaded," Iman groaned, "They already have Johnny and Mycah at receiver bro, Noah might not even start and he's our best receiver by far. With Jason too? Fuck."

James couldn't deny the amount of firepower they had just lost and Calabasas had gained. Jason was a consensus five-star recruit with Leon and Noah being four-stars that fielded many top offers already.

"If they're eligible," James shrugged, "I don't think the coaches are just going to lay down and let them rock. Do you?"

"The reason they get away with this shit," Iman explained, "They're a good school, like academically. So even if we wave hundred fucking flags, all they're going say is they wanted their kids to go to a better school. CIF isn't going to do shit, they can't."

"Speaking of them," James turned his phone around to show Iman a text from coach Butler, "Emergency team meeting tomorrow morning."

"What fucking team? Ain't no team left."

..........

The group of teenage boy packed themselves inside of the auditorium. The instructions weren't clear so a few of them came in athletic gear, James not being among them. He don a gray hoodie and black sweats, plopping himself down in one of the back rows as the auditorium got louder and louder. Some of the younger players looked legitimately confused and clearly the news hadn't reached them yet. The older players, the few that remained, seemed shell-shocked. They would whisper to each other then follow it up with vicious head shakes of disapproval. This was supposed to be the year that Poly became nationally ranked for the first time in almost a decade. The program had continued to be a top contender in the state and their respective league but fallen short of their previous glory.

James exchanged a nod with coach Marcus who was walking through the auditorium, appearing to take count. The other coaches had also came in, taking a seat on the raised stage that were facing the players. Coach Collins and coach Butler were the last to appear, each wearing rather professional attire. Coach Collins sported a suit while coach Butler was in more relaxed shirt and tie but for both of them, it was a rare sight from their players.

"We're good?" coach Collins asked coach Marcus who nodded his head, "Appreciate you guys coming in, won't be keeping you guys too long."

Coach Collins cleared his throat as he fixed his tie, scanning his eyes across the room. James couldn't help but chuckle at the notion that he was either making sure they hadn't come back or more players hadn't left.

"I've been at this school for a long time," coach Collins started, "We've won league nine times, sectional champions five times and five years ago, we won this school's first ever regional championship. We've done it all clean. We don't buy players, we don't get into the pig pen that is high school football now. We run a clean program and we always will as long as I'm here! You've heard it by now. Those guys, they're gone. I don't have a single thing to say about them. They were good football players, some of them even great. But they're gone. Don't ask me about them, tell your parents to not ask me or any of the coaches about them. They want to play up there, let them."

"If any of y'all want to join them, go right ahead. Don't mean shit to me," Iman stood up and addressed the team, drawing a nod of approval from coach Collins.

"You heard him," coach Collins pointed towards Iman, "We play Dorsey in 37 days, gentlemen. You have the rest of the day off but I suggest you get ready."
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Caesar
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Explosions of Grandeur.

Post by Caesar » 11 Jul 2019, 12:09

That's some bold big dick energy posting that you transferring high schools on social media like that. I'd be snitching on they ass, me. James better shine before he end up like a bust ass Billy Riggins though.
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djp73
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Explosions of Grandeur.

Post by djp73 » 11 Jul 2019, 12:46

really heating up here, telling a good story

i didnt play HS football at the level of these guys but we had a great runningback transfer to a private school and it was pretty disheartening. didnt have social media back then though!

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Soapy
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Explosions of Grandeur.

Post by Soapy » 11 Jul 2019, 12:53

Caesar wrote:
11 Jul 2019, 12:09
That's some bold big dick energy posting that you transferring high schools on social media like that. I'd be snitching on they ass, me. James better shine before he end up like a bust ass Billy Riggins though.
djp73 wrote:
11 Jul 2019, 12:46
really heating up here, telling a good story

i didnt play HS football at the level of these guys but we had a great runningback transfer to a private school and it was pretty disheartening. didnt have social media back then though!
Yeah, when I played, which wasn't that long ago, high school transfers were sort of quiet but if you follow recruiting, kids do like big announcements on stuff and even countdowns lmao especially down here in south Florida.

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Soapy
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Explosions of Grandeur.

Post by Soapy » 11 Jul 2019, 13:55

"The defense did a good job of holding them to just three points but if you're Los Al, you're happy with your first drive."

"I'd have to agree, Mike. These are a well coached group of kids, which we just saw with them keeping the ball away from Iman Fuller on the kickoff. They drove the ball the way down to the ten-yard line with ease and if you're on the Griffins sideline, you're feeling confident."

"Speaking of confidence, here comes the completely revamped Jackrabbit offense."

....

James found himself once again wiping the sweat off his right arm with a towel before tucking it into the back of his pants, making sure it was perfectly centered.

"It's hotter than a bitch," James joked, not getting a single laugh except a light chuckle from Iman.

"Tough crowd," Iman muttered.

"Spread 12 Left 21 Dive on one, on one, ready...."

"BREAK!"

The offense hurried to the line and quickly got settled except for Iman as the newly converted corner back lingered around James, "I'm on the left right?"

"Yeah," James responded, not breaking eye contact with the linebacker across from him, "Green 80! Green 80! Readddddy....set.....go!"

Just like that, James found himself in his first live-action football game in nearly two years. Brandon was as sturdy as they come, packing a whole lot of man in his six-foot stocky frame and even when games got out of hand, coach Butler opted to insert then-freshman Jalen to try to see how he fared against high school competition.

....

"Gain of just two yards on that play."

....

"Stopped at the line of scrimmage as Iman Fuller ran right into his blocker."

"Fuller did not play running back last year, Mike. He's a great athlete but you can tell on that play that he just doesn't have a natural feel for the position yet."

....

"Jackson drops back, first pass of the game, and he's pressured....rolls to his right and sails it over the outstretched arms of Tyler Baker and here comes the punting unit. A quick three out for the Jackrabbit."

....

James snapped his helmet off in frustration, running his hand through his stubble as he walked off the field. The rest of the offense were to quick jog off, hoping to somehow avoid the potential wrath of the coaching staff. Coach Butler didn't say a single word as he waited to great James on the sideline.

"Are you ready to go now?" coach Butler asked as he placed his hand on his quarterback's chest plate.

He was.

....

“That punt sails out of bounds and more importantly not in the hands of Fuller as Long Beach takes the field. Jackson in the gun, Fuller to his right. Four receivers out in the flex. Jackson hands the ball off to Fuller who picks up a huge block on the edge....REVERSE! REVERSE! Dominguez has the ball and he’s looking to throw and he’s got James Jackson wide open and he has him! Jackson at the forty...fifty...forty...thirty five...thirty...and he’s pushed out of bounds at the 27-yard line!”

....

“The Jackrabbits go with the no huddle, hurry up and the ball is snapped and Los Al isn’t even lined up and it’s a handoff to Fuller who slashes it up the middle for a gain of sixteen yards.”

....

“LB isn’t stopping as they hurry up once more, this time with a quick throw to Baker who breaks a tackle and he’s home folks! Touchdown!"

....

James held his two index fingers toward the heavens. He wasn't sure why and didn't give it much thought before running into the endzone to celebrate with this teammates. He had remembered his last touchdown so vividly, almost five years ago when he hurdled what seemed like six yards for a touchdown in the California Prep All-Star game.


....

“Hayes and the offense facing a key third down here. LB once again showing blitz....this time they do come. Hayes scrambles....fires...incomplete. Punting unit folks!”

....

“Fuller on the handoff and that’s a gain of seven.”

....

“Jackson under center this time....stretch run to Fuller to the left and that’s a gain of nine and a first down.

....

“Jackson drops back..no...late handoff on the draw to Fuller who does a little footwork magic for a gain of four on a play that looked dead.”

....

“Jackson on the play action.....looks across the middle....he’s got White for a gain of seventeen!”

....

“...Jackson pump fakes left, throws the screen to Fuller to his right and he’s got an escort folks...to the endzone! Touchdown!”

....

"Four man rush....Jackson rolls out...spins, oh my folks, and he's going to scramble for the first down. He's sure got some quick twitch movement in him, Gus."

....

"Third and one, Poly dominating, I'm sure they go with Fuller here. Jackson gets the snap, play action, pump fake and he goes deep to Baker who's got the touchdown! This Poly offense is nothing to sneeze at, ladies and gentlemen."

"We spent all summer talking about the possibility of a Jason Garrison and Jalen Hightower backfield who we saw beat Dorsey last night for a different team up in Calabasas but this Fuller - Jackson tandem is proving to be a dangerous combination as well. We'll see how they fare against tougher competition but don't throw your season away yet, Poly. You've got quite the pairing."
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James
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Explosions of Grandeur.

Post by James » 11 Jul 2019, 14:34

Love me some no huddle offense. Good writing. Looking forward to more.
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djp73
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Explosions of Grandeur.

Post by djp73 » 11 Jul 2019, 14:43

man every time I read these it makes me want to strap up!

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Soapy
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Explosions of Grandeur.

Post by Soapy » 11 Jul 2019, 16:34

"I don't want you getting home too late."

James ignored Beck's comments as he continued to stroke her hair, letting his fingers trace all the way down the the small of her back before starting at her scalp once again. They laid on the bed silently for the next few minutes as they both were in rather strange territory.

"It's bigger than I expected," James mustered up the only positive thing he could think of the concrete box they were confined in, "The bed's not too bad."

"The mattress is actually mine," she laughed, "My mom didn't want me using cum-stained mattresses so she replaced it."

James had found himself in quite a few dorm rooms despite never having gone on an actual college visit himself. He would tag along on Joshua's and Brandon's unofficial visits, taking in the different campuses that he knew he would never attend on his own merit. His build allowed him to pass as just yet another prospective student athlete, which granted him the perks of being able to see one or two co-ed dorm rooms every now and then. Luckily, he was a virgin when it came to the Middle Earth housing complex at UC Irvine or he might have been more worried about being recognized.

"You sure you're not going to get lonely up here?" James said as he popped up and continued to size up the room, putting his hands on almost every item.

"You're just an hour drive away," Beck wrapped her arm around his waist, bringing him back to the bed as she sat up.

"I had to beg Iman to trust me with his car," James scoffed, knowing all too well that this was likely the end of the line.

Despite Beck deciding on living on campus a few months ago, the couple -- if you could call them that -- had not decided on what to do or what would become of what they had going on. Given that they never really had a talk about what they were, James felt a talk about her moving away was also necessary. Similar to how them hooking up here and there turned into a quasi-relationship, he figured things would just fall into place. Besides, for him, all this meant was that he was free to peruse Long Beach without a care in the world anymore.

"We'll figure it out," she said as she gave James a kiss on the neck, "Come on, get going. First day of senior year tomorrow, excited?"

James scoffed before turning around and pushed Beck to make her lay on the bed, "What do you think?"

"I think you're going to miss this," she said with a smile as he started unbuckling his pants, "You've got fifteen minutes."

....

"James Jackson."

James carelessly raised his arms up before plopping it back down.

"James Jackson!"

"Here!" James yelled, mimicking Dr. Gotti's deep, Mexican accent. The whole class started laughing and even Dr. Gotti couldn't help but join in on the laughter as well.

"You're a dick," the short, black-haired girl that was sitting next to James' hurled at him.

"Not even one day," Cam laughed, not bothering to look up from his notebook.

"Did that offend you?" James asked the girl but she ignored him so he turned his attention to Cam, "That's how they always start, watch."

"Who is they?" she snapped back, loud enough that a few of the nearby student turned around to see the commotion.

"I have this uncanny ability to piss of attractive woman," James flashed a smile as she continued to look at him with a deadpan face.

"You've already barked up this tree before and couldn't climb," she rolled her eyes.

"Vanessa Rodriguez?"

"Here," she raised her hand while James tried to go through his mental Rolodex. He was a high-volume shooter.

"Wait. No way! Really? You're Javi's sister?"

"Our Javi?" James had managed to get Cam's attention.

"He's not yours," she laughed, "But yes, he's my little brother. Heck of a teammate you guys are."

"He's like a freshman," James waved her off, "Why would I know his family tree?"

"He's actually a sophomore," Cam corrected him, "We actually play next to each other."

"You must be Cam then," she said as she waved to the giant of a man that was sitting behind James.

"But you're nice to him?" James said, shaking his head.

"My brother likes him," she shrugged, "I don't know if I'm supposed to be saying this but he really looks up to you."

Cam nodded, "He's a tough motherfucker, small as shit for the position but tough."

"You guys play next to each other right?"

"I'm at tackle and he's at guard," he explained to her, drawing an eye roll from James.

"I'm his quarterback," James interrupted, "Don't I get any points for that?"

"Are you though?" she made a face as she pressed her eraser against her lips, making them look even fuller, "The light skin dude with the eyes is the true quarterback."

"First of all," James said in between stiffed laughter, "He's not even here anymore and I'm also of lighter skin and I have eyes."

"But his eyes," she said as she exaggerated a moan, "Now him, that line would have worked on me. Your whole Tim Riggins vibe you have going on? Not working for me."

"I like her," Cam said as he returned his attention to his doodling.

"I bet you do," James said before returning his attention to the front of the class or more importantly picking out other potential targets.
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