Dale Denton | The Legacy | Junior Year
Dale Denton | The Legacy | Sophomore Year
Dale gotta get the squad in the playoffs
Dale Denton | The Legacy | Sophomore Year
Chapter I: The Big Three
Eight months has passed since that brutal game. That’s how long Dale had been forced to watch film over and over, sidelined after Wisconsin cracked his season wide open. His body healed, but his pride? That wound stayed fresh. Coach Danielson had snatched the reins out his hands, tossing the keys to Tanner Applewhite, praying the boy could keep Washington alive long enough to sneak back into the top 12. For two games, Tanner had the city whispering like maybe, just maybe, he was built for the lights. But then the mask slipped. Northwestern stomped them out, 42–21. Oregon embarrassed them on national TV, 57–10. Washington looked like prey without their general.
And everybody knew it—without Dale Denton, there was no bite.
Tanner tried to clean the blood off in the Citrus Bowl with a redemption W against Northwestern, 40–14. Cute. But the damage was already done.
Season over. No playoffs. No Natty. No glory.
For Dale, it was a sick feeling, watching all them hours in the weight room, film study, grind, flushed like a pack of loosies down a toilet. But Dale wasn’t cut from the cloth of wallowing. Nah. He doubled down. Finished out his semester, pushed heavier in the weight room, switched up his whole diet—no greasy food, no lazy calories. Less fat, more muscle. He sculpted himself sharper, leaner, harder. By August, the man in the mirror was different. Same eyes, same Harlem chip on his shoulder, but now his body looked like it had been carved for war.
With camp over, roster finalized, and kickoff just two weeks away, Dale was back in his usual spot on the quad, beneath that cherry blossom tree by the main hall. He kept that tree like a throne—his peace spot, his corner away from the noise. Clarissa sat beside him, legs crossed, hair catching the wind. She’d been gone for a minute, trying to shake off her own demons, but she was back now. Stronger. She told him the news with a half-smile: her crazy ex was locked down for 15 years. Her moms had pulled a shark of a lawyer, and the DA stacked his priors till the boy’s future disappeared behind concrete and bars.
It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless. Dale felt the weight come off her shoulders as she leaned in and kissed his cheek before hugging him tight, thanking him for being there for her. For a moment, life felt light. Quiet. Safe.
That’s when he spotted Zeke crossing the quad with Trey in tow. Two shadows moving with intent. Zeke lifted his hand, pointing Dale’s way. The look on their faces told the story—this wasn’t no casual stroll.
Clarissa peeped the vibe instantly. She tightened her hug, whispered: “I’ll text you when I get in.”
“Sounds good. Be safe,” Dale replied, watching her leave before shifting his eyes back on the two figures coming at him.
Zeke got there first, voice deep, steady, but carrying that edge like he was trying to hide nerves. “Hey man.”
Trey stepped up, arms crossed, frown etched like he been rehearsing it in the mirror.
Dale narrowed his eyes. “What’s up? What y’all doing here? Something y’all want to say?” His tone cut the space, cold enough to let them know he wasn’t here for drama.
Zeke sighed heavy, squatted down so their eyes leveled. His big frame folded, but his energy stayed commanding. “Listen man, we need to talk. Look… I know there was a lot of heat between us last season, more so you and Trey, but we got to find a way to put that behind us and get back who we used to be. The season’s coming up, we got to be on the same page or we’re going to fall up short like we did—or worse. More importantly, we need to fix this, us three. Or this is going to be one long season ahead of us.”
Dale shrugged, almost dismissive. “What’s there to talk about? Me and you good. Trey got who he wanted, I don’t see what is much to talk about. We move.” His words carried frost, deliberate and unshaken.
Trey rolled his eyes, spitting a scoff. “Fuck that bitch.” His voice was low, but heavy enough to be heard. He shook his head. “That bitch Addy sold the game. While we were bickering, going back and forth, I caught her ass boo-boo’d up with one of the basketball players after I went to go see her and try to make a play for something serious. I hate to say it, but I was fooling myself, dawg.”
Dale’s brow ticked up, but he ain’t look surprised. Truth was, he didn’t see that coming, but deep down he knew Addy was always playing angles. He sighed, brushing the weight of it off. “Oh well. She up outta here anyway since she graduated. So… New season, new reason.”
He rose from under the tree, eyeing Trey. “We got a lot to work on, me and you.”
Trey nodded, shoulders slumping like he dropped a burden. “Yeah, I know. And I’m not going to front you, I fucked up. I let some ass get in the way of our friendship.” He looked Dale dead in the eye, no ducking.
Dale exhaled deep. “Yeah, me too, Trey. I let y’all ribbing me get out of hand, which led me to target out Addy. I knew you were crushing on her, and I took advantage of that. But seeing how she’s dick hopping from athlete to athlete, I guess none of that really matter any more.” A bitter smile cracked across his face. “But still, I owe you a apology too. I let it go too far.”
Trey listened, a flicker of realness softening his face. “Yo, I appreciate that, Dale. You’re right, we both fucked up. But I get it, man. I was being a real dick about Addy.” He stepped closer, hand raised, fist out. “Water under the bridge, yeah? We’re good, bro.”
Dale dapped him up, pulling Trey into a one-arm hug. “Lessons & Blessings.”
On the outside, it looked squashed. But Dale knew better. Where there’s fruit hanging low, there’s always snakes in the branches. Still, Zeke was right. Season was coming, and redemption was overdue.
Zeke’s grin spread wide, smacking Dale’s shoulder. “Lessons and blessings, my boy!” He laughed. “Now kith!” He mocked, breaking the tension, his deep voice playful. Then his tone shifted back serious. “But I’m glad y’all got that shit sorted out. We got a season to win, and we can’t be bickering like little bitches when we should be focused on putting points on the board. Now that Jordan, Audric and Chris is gone, it’s on us now. We’re the big three!”
“Yeah… Seems about right,” Dale said, arms folded. “We gotta put Washington back on the map, dead ass. That boy Tanner Applewhite blew last season wide open on us. Talking all that shit how he was going to take my spot and run the team. Motherfucker couldn’t even win two games in the season.”
Zeke barked a laugh. “His bitch-ass ain’t never had the game to begin with. Lucky to even step on the field. But you know what, Dale? Fuck that bitch Addy and Tanner. This season? This is our time now, our chance to show the programs what we’re made of.” He gripped their shoulders tight, fire in his eyes. “Us three gon’ dominate this season, fams. We’re going to make everyone who stands in our way pay for making us miss the playoffs and getting another Natty.”
Trey smirked, cocky again, tapping Dale on the arm. “And get this. Tanner transferred to Boise State. And guess who we kicking the season off against?”
Dale blinked, cracking his knuckles. He’d heard Tanner left, but hearing it was Boise—the defending champs? That was different.
“We gotta get ’em.” Dale’s voice dropped low, dead serious. “We gotta serve him up.”
Zeke rubbed his hands like Birdman, eyes glinting wicked. “Oooh, that’s perfect. We’ll have the perfect opportunity to shut that bitch up right off the bat.”
Trey smirked wider, his confidence sharpening like a blade. “Hell yeah, we will. He’s gonna learn what it means to cross the wrong team and cost us W’s.” He looked back at Dale, softer for a second. “And you, Dale? You ready to come back stronger than ever and show everyone why you’re the real deal at QB?”
Dale’s Harlem grin flashed. “I’m from Harlem, son. It’s time to double up on it.”
Dale Denton | The Legacy | Junior Year
Bill Stick 
Boise was putting their all in on Townsend. 43 rush attempts 
Boise was putting their all in on Townsend. 43 rush attempts Dale Denton | The Legacy | Junior Year
always good to start with a win, need more from double d tho
Dale Denton | The Legacy | Junior Year
Agent, When I looked at the roster, I swore Tanner Applewhite was starting. Coach did the right thing playing Bill
djp73, Even more beautiful when their champions. #FraudAlert
Last edited by The JZA on 25 Sep 2025, 07:00, edited 1 time in total.