Gladiators of the Gridiron

The Dons were silent. Heads hung all around the sideline. Rabbit looked around, it was as if everyone was in mourning, mourning themselves and their season. He wouldn’t stand for it.

‘C-Come on, guys. It’s only the-the third quarter. We… we can… we can still win this.’ His stuttering speech did little to lift the veil of darkness hanging over his teammates.

‘Max is right,’ Coach Long said. There’s still time. It’s not over until it’s over, and we won’t stop fighting until it’s over.’ Coach Long looked at Max then asked the doctor: ‘Is he ready to go?’

The doctor nodded.

‘Max, you go take the kick return,’ Coach Long commanded.

Rabbit bounced to his feet. ‘Y-Yes, Coach, S-Sir.’ He hurried onto the field with the return team and took his position.

The kick was booted high. After catching it, Rabbit looked up and saw a wave of Cats crashing over the wall his teammates had erected. He swallowed his fear and charged ahead.

He ducked and weaved around limbs and bodies, but there were just so many of them. It felt like the Cats had twice as many players on the field, and eventually, Rabbit was brought down at the 21-yard line.

He got right back up, and stayed on the field to join the offence. Sensing Rabbit was the brightest spark remaining, Coach Long used him to reignite the dying flames of the Dons’ hopes. They started the comeback drive with another run, this time with a Sweep for Rabbit.

He secured the ball tightly, not wanting to make the same mistake from his last carry. He raced to the edge of the Line, and was met head-on by a Cat. He spun out of harm’s way, but there was already another defender on his heels. No matter how much Rabbit zigged or zagged, there was always someone clawing at him, slowing him down, controlling him until more help arrived. It was like being swarmed by piranhas.

After two consecutive runs, Rabbit had gone left and right, up and down, he’d felt like he’d run over 50 yards back and forth and in circles just to go 4 yards forward.

Despite his best efforts, the Dons were still in trouble, and they went with a pass on third down.

Rabbit still had an important job to do—he was kept in as an extra blocker, and he did his best, going low just like he’d been taught to over and over, he gave the QB the extra time he needed.

The QB’s eyes were downfield, watching a crossing route come open over the middle. He let the ball fly … and overthrew it. It sailed beyond the Receiver’s outstretched hands and instead landed in the lap of the Cats’ Safety over the top.

The Safety was driven down by the overthrown Receiver in a furious tackle, one that almost caused a brawl as a few members from either team came together, pushing and shoving one another before the officials could separate them and get things back under control.

But the damage had been done, the interception was another knockout blow to the Dons. Yet the Cats marching downfield and following it up with a touchdown would be the final nail in the coffin.

Rabbit was still sitting out defence, so all he could do was watch as the Cats forced their way through the Dons' defence as if they were met with no resistance at all. It was a methodical execution as they steamrolled into the endzone one more time.

That was the last time the Dons looked like they had any fight left in them, and while there was still another quarter to go, the game was over, no matter how hard Coach Long argued differently.

The Cats rested their starters when the fourth quarter began, the Dons did not. It didn’t change the outcome of the game, and the Cats went on to win handily, without the Dons managing to put any more points on the board; the final score read: 52–10.

The Cats’ victory celebration started in full force once the final whistle blew. The varsity players joined in too, hyping up their juniors. They were dancing under the cloudless sky, their fans cheering the only music they needed.

Ty watched, a smile stretching across his face. He didn’t know what the varsity Cats were so happy about, but he was glad they were enjoying the fleeting moment of happiness, he’d make sure it was the last thing they’d have to celebrate that day.

The two teams who had fought hard met in the middle of the field and shook hands. Both coaching staffs kept their boys in line, and there wasn’t any incident between any of the players. The Cats’ Cheshire grins were reflected in the Dons’ sombre eyes.

After the formalities and shows of sportsmanship were done, the Dons wasted no time in heading for the locker room, most dragging their feet as they trudged along.

Rabbit sat before his locker, staring at the floor. ‘It’s...It’s all my fault,’ he muttered. He dropped his helmet between his feet and tore at his hair.

‘A single person isn’t responsible for a loss, Max.’ Coach Long stood over him. He leaned down and placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder. ‘And even if they were, that person would be me.’

Rabbit looked up at him, his eyes welling with tears. ‘But I… I-If I wasn’t… If I didn’t have to sit I-I could’ve… or if I played better, if-if I could’ve been a better defender … maybe I could’ve done something.’

‘It’s not your fault, Max.’ Coach Long patted his shoulder. He moved to the next boy. Rabbit watched him walk around the locker room, visiting each player individually, giving them a similar little pep talk.

When he’d seen everyone personally, Coach Long stepped into the middle of the room and cleared his throat loudly.

‘I can’t say it enough, how proud I am of all of you and what you’ve achieved this season. You’ve all grown tremendously, not just on the field, but off it too, and I’ve had the pleasure of watching you every step of the way. I know it hurts right now, and this pain will take a while to fade, you won’t ever forget this, and that’s a good thing, we’re going to use this, and come back even better and stronger next year. I can’t wait to see how much you grow.’

There wasn’t exactly an uptick in the overall mood of the locker room, but it wasn’t quite as gloomy as when the defeated Dons had first entered. There was always next year, and at that moment, a lot of vows were made by a lot of players to reach higher and go further next season.

Bella came forward, hugging her dad. He held her close against his chest, stroking her hair. It was a big loss for her as well, she’d put in a lot of work for this team, as had all the coaches … it was a shame the JV team’s season had to end so soon.

But the coaches couldn’t afford to dwell on that, there was still another game to be played, another team that needed them. They couldn’t allow the varsity players to fall at the same hurdle … for too many of them, they wouldn’t get another chance at redemption.

The varsity players filled the room. JJ was key amongst those who went around the locker room, trying to encourage their “hermanitos”. He reminded them he’d been in their shoes, and that there was always another chance, they just had to focus on the future rather than getting bogged down in the past.

As the locker room switched over from the JV team’s dominion, to the varsity team, Coach Long addressed the JV team again. ‘Hey, the bus won’t be leaving until after this next game, but, if your family’s here, and you want to leave already, that’s fine, just make sure you tell one of the coaches and we’ll sign you off. Having said that, it would mean a lot if you stuck around and gave your support to your teammates. We’re all one big team, remember.’

Ty watched the JV players leave, heads held only slightly higher than when they had entered. He took his spot, and prepared for the battle ahead.

After it was only the varsity team left in the locker room, Coach Long took a deep breath. ‘I’ve already said most of what I need to,’ he began, ‘you know the drill. But don’t get caught up in the past, don’t let that game you just watched control your emotions and actions. There’s no need to worry about revenge or anything like that, just play your game, play like you’re supposed to, like I know you can, and we’ll come away with the win.’

The team gathered together, fists in the air. JJ stood at the centre, grinning. ‘This is what it’s all about, hermanos. Our path to the championship starts here, this is what we’ve been aiming for, four years have all been for this. Don’t forget what we’re fighting for.’

‘Family,’ Coach Long said.

‘Family on three. One, two, three—‘

‘Family!’

JJ led the Dons out calmly. They were locked in, it was much too soon for their season to end. They walked onto the field, and were showered with applause.

Ty looked around. The stands were full on all sides of the field … yet he didn’t see any familiar faces smiling down at him. It didn’t matter. He looked forward, staring at the backs of his teammates as they jogged around the field and began their warm-up.

The opposite side of the stands exploded with cheers and applause when the Cats finally made their entrance. They pranced around the field, still grinning from the celebration of their JV team’s success.

Ty watched their annoying leader bounce around, hair flopping about as he egged the crowd on, begging them to cheer louder. Ty shook his head, that cunt was a distraction. He found Seven, and never took his eyes off the silent weapon.

The captains met for the coin toss. Stephen, JJ, and Deshaun represented the Dons. Mop, Seven, and bodyguard that was a mound of muscle represented the Cats.

The shortest Cat walked right up to Stephen, offering him a handshake, grinning beneath his dreads. ‘I know who you are.’ He laughed. ‘You’re in for one hell of a day. I’m Jahsiah Edwards. Remember the name, you’ll be hearing it in your nightmares, big boy.’

Stephen scowled down at him. ‘If you’re the best these pussies can offer, you’re FUCKED.’ He grinned as Jahsiah’s smile turned to a snarl.

Seven and JJ stepped forward, getting in front of their teammates before either of them could do anything stupid. They smiled cordially at one another, though JJ’s gaze turned cold as he regarded Jahsiah.

The head official stepped forward and attempted to ease the tensions. ‘Let’s have a good, clean game, boys. Now, Kaiser, it’s your call, heads or tails.’

‘Tails,’ Seven said, not taking his eyes off JJ.

The coin was flipped into the air and landed between JJ and Seven, neither of them broke eye contact to check the result.

‘Uh, tails it is,’ the official said.

‘We defer.’ Seven turned away, and with the help of Muscles, pulled Jahsiah back to the sideline.

JJ picked which way the Dons’ offence would be aiming—though the wind was not a factor today and it made little difference—and returned to the Dons’ sideline. He looked up at Stephen. ‘Make sure you wipe the grin off that rat’s face.’

Stephen laughed. JJ didn’t have to ask him twice. He was going to enjoy squashing Jahsiah and the rest of the Cats, and was glad he wouldn’t have to wait for his opportunity.