Dale Denton | The Legacy | Rookie Year

[six7]

wow i just got caught up.. 10 of his 16 tds at the time came in one game wooooowww

[The JZA]

Chapter V: Mt. Rushmore Pt.1

Friday, November 2nd.

The day came quick, sliding through the week like it had somewhere more important to be. Every practice stacked on the last, breaking bodies, testing patience, two-a-days that felt like hell drills. Sweat-drenched shirts, cleats digging trenches in turf, voices hoarse from coaches barking. It was grueling, borderline torture, but Dale and his boys held the line. They swallowed the pain, spit out excuses, and clocked in like soldiers. Because at the end of it all, they knew tomorrow wasn’t just another Saturday—it was the Saturday. Ohio State. The measuring stick. If they could carve out even the slightest edge—an ounce, a breath, a blade of grass—it would all be worth it.

The grind was the toll. Victory was the destination.

Downtown Seattle. The city was alive in that late November afternoon rush. Skyscrapers glinting gold as the sun slid lower, the air carrying that cold bite, sharp enough to remind everybody winter was lurking. People moved with urgency—jackets zipped tight, Starbucks cups steaming, phones pressed to ears as cars jammed up on the I-5. The rhythm of the city didn’t slow, not for a college kid from Harlem, not even for a Heisman hopeful. Dale leaned against a steel column outside Alaska Airlines’ terminal, scrolling his phone, waiting. Mark’s text said they had landed ten minutes ago.

And then he saw them.

Two familiar figures breaking through the crowd. Mark, tall with that easy grin, pulling a rolling two suitcases like it weighed nothing. And Sharnell—her tote bag slung across her arm—eyes already searching, scanning the faces until they landed on her boy. The second she locked in, her whole demeanor cracked wide open, joy spilling out.

“Dale!”

She dumped her tote against Mark’s chest without warning and came hustling, her sandals slapping the floor, hips swaying as she nearly sprinted. She grabbed Dale up, arms locked around him like she was never letting go. She buried her face against his shoulder, holding him tight. When she pulled back, her eyes shimmered, tears not yet fallen but threatening. Her hands cupped his face, tracing the lines like she was memorizing every inch.

“Look at you! My baby boy all grown and handsome!” She yanked him back in for another hug, squeezed him, then finally stepped away to wipe at her eyes. “I can’t believe it’s been so long. You look good, Dale. Real good.”

Dale grinned, caught off guard by her energy but soaking it in. “I miss you too, Ma! And you—look at you slimming down, glowing up. You looking mad healthy, Ma. Looking great.”

Behind her, Mark walked up, his bag in one hand, hers in the other, smiling wide at the reunion. “Damn,” he said, his voice full of pride. “Look at you. All grown up and shit.” He dropped the bags, pulled Dale into a hug that was half-love, half-test of strength. “Boy, you got big! Bet them college girls all over that.” He winked.

Dale laughed, swatting him on the arm. “Ayo, watch your mouth in front of my Moms. That talk saved for later.”

The three of them stood there a moment, wrapped in the rare air of family, the kind you don’t realize you’re starving for until it’s right in front of you. Dale glanced between them, squinting. “Man, it’s great seeing y’all. But hold up—together?” He raised his eyebrows, smirking. “Don’t tell me… are y’all back on that? Like… you know…”

Sharnell rolled her eyes and swatted at him. “Boy, hush. Ain’t nobody got time for that mess.” But her voice softened as she looked at Mark, then Dale. “We’re just here to support you, baby. Put the differences aside for the weekend so we can spend time with you.”

“Uh huh.” Dale tilted his head, unconvinced. “Don’t be using me as some excuse to take a little vacation.” He bent down to grab their luggage, straining under the weight of Sharnell’s. “Damn, Ma! You bring all of West Harlem with you? This supposed to be a weekend trip!”

Sharnell sucked her teeth, snatching the bag back. “Boy, you don’t know what you talking about. I packed light this time.”

Dale raised an eyebrow. “Light? This feel like you smuggled Thor’s hammer in here.”

“Shut up!” she snapped, a smile creeping despite herself. “A woman never knows what she might need. Better to be overprepared than underdressed.”

Mark laughed as he trailed behind, shaking his head. “I tried telling her we only here for the weekend, right? Not a runway show.”

Sharnell twisted her face at him. “Hush. You just mad ‘cause you don’t know how to travel in style like me.” She flipped her colorful locs with flair.

Dale led them outside to his ride—his murdered-out 2027 Chevy Blazer RS. Black on black interior with red stitching, body kit, 20” matte black Ferradas with chrome lip. Whole thing sat menacing, like it was dipped in shadow.. Mark whistled, circling it slow like he was appraising art.

“Okay, okay! I see you. Go ahead and put my Camaro to shame. How much this run you?”

“‘Bout 50 racks with the aftermarket.” Dale shrugged like it was nothing. “Little treat with the NIL money.”

“Damn.” Mark looked between Dale and Sharnell. “Might need to go back to school myself. Think I still got credits somewhere. How much you think a semester can net me?”

Dale laughed, clapping his pops on the shoulder. “It don’t work like that, old man.”

Once bags were loaded, they slid inside and hit the road, traffic thick with rush hour. Conversation filled the cabin like old times. Talk drifted to football. NIL deals. Tomorrow’s showdown.

Mark leaned back, arms crossed. “So, son, y’all ready for tomorrow? Got your ducks lined up for Ohio State?”

Dale nodded. “We ready as we’ll ever be. I studied their defense heavy. Their edge guys, Reggie Gaffney and Brian Crisp—not killing the sack numbers, but fast. They gon’ make the trenches ugly. Gotta be careful trying to outrun ‘em.”

Mark nodded. “You ain’t mention Jarquez Carter, though. Big man in the middle, leading them in tackles for loss. That’s a three-headed dragon you facing. You can’t boot left, can’t boot right, can’t run it up the gut—what’s your move?”

Dale cracked a grin. “Pray.”

Mark barked out a laugh, shaking his head. “Nah, you don’t need no prayer. You Denton blood. Once they rile you up, ain’t no stopping you. You showed that all season.”

Conversation shifted. Mark’s tone dropped serious. “You know ESPN talking about you heavy, right?”

Dale glanced over. “Nah. Been staying off socials after that little rampage I had. Quieted the haters. What they saying?”

"They saying you're a Heisman contender, son. That you're the top QB in the nation right now. "He glances over at Dale, a hint of pride in his eyes. "They're really talking about you being the next Archie Griffin."

Dale scoffed at the comparison to the Ohio State legend. “Nah, don’t fill my head with that nonsense. That’s the last thing I need. I’m hot right now ‘cause I had something to prove, not ‘cause I’m tryna get gassed up. I let the team down last season against Wisconsin. I just paid that back last week. And Ohio State? I owe them an ass-whooping.”

Mark listened, quiet, then nodded. “That’s what I like to hear. Keep it humble. Don’t let that chip eat you alive, though. Don’t spiral like last year.”

Dale’s voice softened. “I know, Pop. Been more focused than I ever was. Still hungry. Just… a different kind of hungry. I see that plaque with Amani's signature on my jersey every morning. That’s still my motive. I still play for him.”

Mark sat back, proud, quiet for a beat. “Then keep doing that. That’ll make you twice as great than anybody.”

The Blazer finally pulled up at the Watertown Hotel, not far from the stadium. Dale killed the engine, popped the trunk. “Here we are. Last stop on the Denton Express.”

Mark whistled. “Not bad.”

Sharnell stirred awake from her nap, rubbing her eyes. “Hope they got good food here. That plane food was trash.”

“Whatever y’all want, it’s on me,” Dale said. “Don’t run up the tab though.”

“Damn,” Mark grinned. “How’d you knew?”

"Cause black people can be a little too black sometimes." Dale grinned as he hugged them both before sliding back into the driver’s seat. “Love y’all, but if I kick it with y'all, it's gonna put me over curfew. I’ll see y’all after the game and Sunday.”

Sharnell kissed his cheek. “Just make sure you rest. I don’t know much about football still, but I know I’m rooting for you.”

“Thanks, Ma. And Pop?” Dale glanced at Mark, eyebrows raised, a private joke hanging in the air. Mark sucked his teeth, brushing it off.

“Pop what?” Sharnell asked.

“Nothing,” Dale said with a laugh, sliding behind the wheel. “Y’all be good.”

He peeled out, taillights disappearing into the Seattle night.

With Dale's parents touching down safely and stowed away in the Watertown Hotel, that was a peace of mind he could now afford. With all the arrangements made, Dale returned to campus, hitting the gym, putting the final touches on before retiring the night. There were seven teams left in the nation that remained undefeated. Buffalo, Colorado, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Washington. But between Ohio State and Washington, this was a battle for the conference before the conference championship. Tomorrow was the big game.

Tomorrow was war.

[The JZA]

fuck ohio

djp73, And Ohio State

wow i just got caught up.. 10 of his 16 tds at the time came in one game wooooowww

Google[Bot], Thought you knew, Saturday is Tudday

[The JZA]

[Captain Canada]

Pretty big matchup looming on the horizon, going to be interesting what eye-popping stats Dale is able to rack up

[The JZA]

[The JZA]

Pretty big matchup looming on the horizon, going to be interesting what eye-popping stats Dale is able to rack up

Captain Canada,

These MFs would not let us run the ball. I ain't never audible so much in my life

[redsox907]

inb4 Dale knocks up and IG model

[YaBoyRobRoy]

damn huge win! bro went off on the ground, got the job done

[The JZA]

inb4 Dale knocks up and IG model

redsox907, Man grabs the biggest win of the season and you worried about him knocking up a chick? I see the play..

damn huge win! bro went off on the ground, got the job done

YaBoyRobRoy, Really wasn't my M.O. to ball hog but I know Zeke wasn't gonna get the runs we needed. The pushed the blitz, stacked the box damn near all game long, barely giving any cushion.

Had to do what we had to do to keep the wins rolling