As the Titans sent their special teams unit out for the kickoff return, Jackson spotted another teammate in the stands, approaching him and the others, in fact.
Rudy filled the empty seat next to Kenny—startling him—his focus on the field. Kenny calmed upon seeing it was only Rudy.
'I'm glad you made it,' Jackson said.
'Yeah, thanks,' Rudy grunted, looking everyone over. His eyes lingered on Jasmine. 'You're Jackson's girlfriend, right?'
Jasmine laughed, shocked by the bluntness. She looked at Jackson; it was more up to him to label their relationship, but he was too busy blushing and stammering. Kenny sat back in his seat, frowning; Rudy was practically leaning past him to talk at the others.
'I mean, whatever is going on,' Rudy said, 'it was pretty cool when you gave Grant shit that one time.'
'Thanks?' Jasmine said. Her face wore a strange expression, unsure whether to smile or gawk at him. 'I've always prided myself on my… shit-giving skills.'
Rudy chuckled weakly, finally aware of how stupid the shit he'd been saying was. He looked past Jasmine and even to Tommy. 'Sup?'
Tommy smiled, reminded just how awkward and funny high school kids were and always will be—he was also glad to be past that point in his life. 'How's it going, Rudy? Should be a great game today.'
'I hope so.'
'Me too,' Jackson said. His cheeks were slowly fading to their normal tanned colour as he turned his attention back to the field. The return had reached the 29-yard line and ended there; the Titans were about to make their mark on the game.
Kenny was still frowning as the gathering on the Titans' sideline drew his attention. Jasmine's hand found Jackson's as she leaned against him more, settling in to watch.
Coach Otsen had gathered the offence. He scanned the faces, his mouth a hard, thin line. They all knew better than to look at him with doubt or defeat in their eyes, and he knew that if you made someone stand there with false confidence or determination long enough, it'd become real.
'This is the big one,' Coach Otsen said. 'Everything we've done has led to this moment. Everything you've done during your time as a Titan has led to THIS. Don't let them take it from you. Prove to them why you deserve to be champions. Rip the trophy away from them with the strength you've cultivated all these years. Show them all what it means to be a Titan!'
He thrust a hand out into the middle of the huddle. Every player pressed close, hand laid over the top of Coach Otsen's. With a cry of "Titans!" they threw their hands skyward. Shane led the offence onto the field after that, the crowd chanting "Ti-tans" behind them.
The stands had filled out, hardly a spare seat to be found, and more people were entering to find and fill those as the game was getting underway. On the other side, there were warring chants of "Ea-gles" as Desert Christian's defence met the Titans.
When the huddles broke apart, Shane and Joseph came face to face with one another. They both wore the same blank expression, though Shane looked beyond Joseph, and Joseph looked away, eyes locking onto Wesley beyond the line. Shane squatted in his stance; Joseph hunched forward, one hand on the ground. Both were missiles, locked and loaded.
Energy exuded from the stands, flooding the field, filling the players on it. Jackson and co were on the edges of their seats. Jasmine swirled up in the collective excitement of the crowd, the boys because they knew how important this opening drive would be. Rudy was the only one who sat back, narrowed eyes watching the game closely.
Wesley called for the snap; the chanting stopped and turned to screams and squeals as bodies collided and Titans shot out of their positions into routes. Wesley shifted, holding the ball out to Micky beside him, eyes locked on Joseph, who was staring right back at him.
Shane burst forward at the snap; so did Joseph, but they only passed each other. They bumped shoulders, but neither was looking to engage more than that. The collision made them stumble out of the blocks, but when Joseph righted himself he was like a Wesley-seeking missile, lunging towards him.
Wesley let the ball go, allowing Micky to snatch it away and rush ahead through the middle of the Line. Importantly, Joseph was wrong-footed, pulling up just short of Wesley, having no chance of taking down Micky, who had already ferreted through the line and ahead for a gain of 4.
Wesley bounced on his toes, the slightest grimace on his face, like giving up the ball hurt him. Joseph watched him, eyes cold. 'Are you scared?' Joseph asked.
'What?' Wesley sneered at him.
'I'd be scared too if I lived in blasphemy as you do.' Joseph turned away, walking back to the Eagles' huddle. 'Your reckoning is coming, Wesley Walker. Sooner than you know.'
Wesley laughed, watching Joseph walk away. 'What a fucking psycho,' he muttered, the rest of the Titans soon huddling around him.
Wesley turned his attention to the team. 'You know the plan,' Wesley said. 'We go for the Option again.' His eyes found Shane. 'Hit that crazy guy good. Don't just let him run through—I need time to think.'
'I have my job, you have yours,' Shane said calmly before walking away.
With Shane gone, the rest of the players soon followed, the huddle dissolving before Wesley ended it properly. Wesley glared at Shane's back, getting into position, Micky right beside him.
Joseph once again took up his three-point stance in front of Shane, looking beyond him to Wesley. Shane and Joseph said nothing to one another, though they tensed in anticipation of the snap.
They burst forward again, passing each other just as the ball reached Wesley's hands. Joseph had braced himself for another heavy, glancing impact, but Shane had avoided the collision this time, darting further outside.
Wesley's eyes widened as he saw Joseph coming for him so quickly. The only thing that saved him was the slight hesitation Joseph had when Wesley pressed the ball against Micky's midsection again—would he hand it off or keep it this time?
The answer was keep. Wesley snatched the ball away just as quickly as he'd offered it to Micky, but he wasn't running; his eyes were up, looking for a pass.
Joseph lunged forward after Wesley retracted the ball, and Wesley panicked, falling back as he threw towards Shane in the flat, the ball fading wide, just off target.
Shane grit his teeth, stretching out, one hand extended. He got that hand to the ball, fingers squeezing around it, he dragged the wayward pass back in. Skidding to a stop, he shot upfield, rumbling through the first line of defence that met him, carrying them forward for a gain of 7 and a first down.
Joseph had pulled up short of Wesley once again, staring at him. Wesley grinned at him, taunted past him to celebrate the first down. Joseph appeared unfazed, looking him up and down calmly, studying him.
Wesley was talented. Quick-witted, agile, with twitchy reactions. He should've expected as much from a championship calibre QB; just because he was disrespectful and sinful, didn't mean he wasn't a strong opponent. But there was a fear in him, and that fear would be his downfall. He walked outside the light, and that was a terrifying thing. One couldn't win in this brutal sport if one was afraid.
The two separated, going back to their respective huddles.
Up in the stands, Jackson and the others were cheering as loud as anyone. Tommy hadn't stopped clapping since Shane's reception. 'What a catch!' he said.
'I know,' Kenny and Jackson said.
'What a catch,' Tommy repeated, shaking his head.
'We KNOW,' Kenny and Jackson said, shooting glares at him.
Jasmine laughed, sitting back down. She'd been too busy cheering to join in the antics, and Rudy had been quiet throughout. 'Hey,' she finally said, 'why don't they block that big guy from the Eagles? Wouldn't it be easier? He almost hit the Quarterback both times.'
'Yes and no,' Tommy said, settling back into his seat. 'The type of play the Titans are running is called an Option, and it's—as illogical as it sounds—designed to let one defender through unblocked.'
'What?!' she shouted. 'That's like, so stupid. Why would they do that?'
Rudy glared at the back of Jasmine's head like he was regretting sitting with a girl, but thankfully he kept his peace and it was Jackson who answered, taking over for his brother. 'They do it so they can get an advantage elsewhere. The rest of the blockers can worry about the other defenders. Usually there's a double-team or two that lets the Offensive Line open up a gap. That's how Micky got through on the first play.'
A confused frown spread across her face. 'But what stops the big guy from hitting the Quarterback or the runner?'
'Because the defender doesn't know where the ball's going,' Jackson said. 'It's like a guessing game for them, and for the Quarterback, it's a reaction game. The defender has to choose whether to go after the Running Back or the Quarterback, and the Quarterback has to wait and see which the defender chooses. Depending on what the Quarterback sees, he'll give it to the Running Back or keep it for himself.'
'And even if the Quarterback keeps it, he doesn't have to run himself,' Tommy added. 'Like we just saw, there's usually someone for him to pass it to quickly.'
'Ohh… right.' Jasmine nodded, attention shifting back to the game. 'I think I get it.'
'It looks like you'll get a lot more examples of how it works,' Kenny said. The Titans went with the Option for the third play in a row, this one going back to Micky for a gain of 3.
'Yeah, and at this rate you'll see what happens when it goes wrong, too,' Rudy said.
Multiple pairs of eyes turned to him, most narrowed as they took issue with the fact that the first thing he'd said in a long while had been something negative regarding the Titans.
But the Titans looked to be proving Rudy wrong. They stuck with the Option, and it brought them repeated success. The tri-pronged attack of Micky's runs, Wesley's runs, and Shane's short routes, slowly pushed them along the field, past halfway, and into field goal range. But each play gave Joseph another opportunity to study them, learn their tells and find their pattern.
Wesley had run the ball the least, either passing or handing it off to Micky, and Joseph could see it eating him up inside, but Wesley's fear still outweighed his selfish desire. After another run from Micky, one that resulted in another 5 yards for the Titans, Joseph knew Wesley would keep the ball next.
The ball was snapped, Shane and Joseph crossed paths without touching one another. Joseph, wanting to ensure Wesley kept the ball, feinted towards Micky. Wesley came away from the handoff with the ball still in his hands. Joseph grinned, closing in on Wesley. But he was careful, controlled. He knew he had Wesley hemmed in, knew Wesley would try to pass it.
Wesley lobbed the ball over Joseph's head, aiming for Shane behind him. But Joseph sprung up, knocking the ball from the air, sending it into the ground.
Joseph sauntered forward, staring down Wesley, stepping over the fallen ball. 'You are too scared of your own failure, and that is why you cannot succeed,' Joseph said. 'How can you win when you can't even face your own judgment?'
'Yo, why don't you shut the fuck up, you religious freak?' Wesley said, standing his ground, getting in Joseph's face. They were eye to eye, practically the same height, though Joseph was much wider. 'I don't need you preachin' at me in the middle of the fuckin' game.'
Joseph simply smiled. Officials and other Titans got between the pair, Shane gently but firmly pushing Joseph back, standing between him and Wesley.
The Titans were on third down, still with five yards to go. As they huddled, all eyes were on Wesley. 'What's the plan?' Micky asked.
'You gonna throw to anyone else yet?' Grant said, interrupting before Wesley could answer. 'Or should we all go sit on the bench?'
'If you were open, I'd throw to your bum ass,' Wesley retorted. The two glared at one another before Wesley added: 'We stick with the Option.'
And so they did. Grant and his jackals weren't happy about it, but there wasn't much they could do other than grumble. Lining up in their formations, Wesley and Joseph stared at one another before the snap.
Joseph knew this play would be the turning point of the drive. He wouldn't let the opportunity go to waste; this was his chance to stake his claim over the game and give the Eagles full control.
The ball was snapped and Joseph lunged into Shane, sending him stumbling, before charging in Wesley's direction. The middle of the Line had bunched together, clogging up the field. If Micky got the ball, he'd have little room to manoeuvre, but Joseph knew that wouldn't happen. There was no chance of Wesley giving up the ball.
Which is why it was so important that the other Eagles defenders swooped in and covered Shane, and why Joseph had needed to bump Shane off his line to give his teammates time.
Wesley pulled the ball back from Micky's grasp, just as Joseph expected, but now, there was nowhere for Wesley to throw to, and he was stuck with Joseph one-on-one.
Wesley still looked towards Shane, arm up, ready to flick the ball over, but there was nowhere to throw to that wouldn't end up in an Eagles interception. He lowered the ball, tucked it under his arm.
Panic and adrenaline filled him at the same time as he locked eyes with the monster that was Joseph Fale. Wesley lunged outside, planted his foot, and spun off it. Joseph went outside, but shifted at the last second, thrusting out an arm. Wesley was still spinning as the hand bludgeoned his side. It was like a hammer, but it was okay; he could get away from an off-balance, last-ditch arm tackle like that.
But Joseph Fale wasn't like his usual opponents. An unbreakable grip seized Wesley's jersey as he tried to pull away. Joseph dragged him closer, lunged again, and rammed his shoulder into Wesley's side, tackling him to the ground for a loss of 2 yards.
Wesley winced, air hissing out of him as Joseph crushed him into the turf. The large Eagle was off him in a flash, but the crushing impact still echoed through Wesley's body. His teammates helped him to his feet, then off the field. The Titans were on fourth down, and they were taking the field goal.
Nick led the kicking team out, Coach Otsen taking the smartest option and going for the early points to break open the scoring and take the first lead of the game. It wouldn't be an easy kick, but it was gettable, especially for someone like Nick.
'Come on, Nick!' Jackson shouted.
'You got this, dude!' Kenny yelled.
On the other side of the stands, the Eagles' fans were doing everything in their power to distract the Titans' Kicker.
Nick blocked out all the noise, good or bad, and focused on the ball. He stepped into the kick—the ball planted securely after the snap—and swung his leg.
The moment the ball left his boot, there was no doubt. It flew through the uprights without issue and gave the Titans the lead, 0–3.
'WOO!' Jasmine hopped out of her seat; Jackson was out of his a moment after. They cheered together and hugged one another, glad to see the Titans take the lead, even if it was only with a field goal.
Rudy sank back in his seat, arms crossed over his chest. Nick's kicking prowess was just another reminder that his old spot wouldn't open up; Nick was much better than the old Kicker.
The following kickoff resulted in a touchback. Then it was the Eagles' turn on offence, and the Titans' chance to fend them off and protect their lead.
Shane and Joseph only had small breaks before they were back out on the field, facing off against one another. Though the roles had been reversed, and whilst Shane as a MLB was positioned further away from the Eagles' Line, his focus kept drifting back to Joseph. Joseph grinned as he locked eyes with Shane.
The ball was snapped, and the Eagles surged forward as a unit, their Line pushing the Titans back. Shane collapsed on the play as the run was sent outside, skirting around Joseph's block before turning upfield, only stopping 6 yards later.
The Eagles had the same look about them for the next play, and Shane shifted over, positioned above Joseph instead of more centred. The run came, the Eagles unperturbed by the shift, and though Shane helped stop them sooner, they still picked up the first down.
And that was how the Eagles started and continued their opening drive, dominating on the ground. They were pushing back not only against the Titans' formidable defence but also the fans' cheering and chanting. Each successful run made the next cry of dee-fence quieter than the last.
With Joseph out there, blocking like an extra Lineman, the Eagles chewed up yards on the ground, and they didn't need to run Joseph's way to do it. Their Counters were deadly, the first example earning 9 yards, and that was followed by a Dive up the middle, the RB—an athletic, taller (for RBs), and slender runner—could slip through narrow gaps and when he found any sort of space, put on the afterburners. Fittingly named Rocket, the kid was a menace behind the Eagle's O-Line.
As the drive progressed, Shane shifted lower, eventually matching Joseph directly, playing more of an OLB role as he stood before the TE. With Shane to even up the numbers and the strength of the Lines, the running slowed, the next two plays only picking up 3 and 2 yards, respectively.
But then there was Play-Action. It was the first pass of the Eagle's drive. It started like any other run—Joseph surged forward along with the rest of the O-Line, but then they stopped. Whilst the O-Line settled back into place, Joseph shed his own block, letting Shane through. Shane had to do a double take when Rocket came away from the exchange with his QB, nothing in his hands. And during that hesitation, Joseph burst free.
A Vertical, drifting towards the outside, found a lot of space for Joseph with how condensed the Titans defence had become. The crowd screamed, one side crying for the ball to be thrown to the open man, the other begging someone from the defence to switch and cover the open Receiver.
The ball found Joseph's hands before anyone could recover, and he cut back inside, jutting away from the nearest Titan. He ran forward, pulling the Eagles into scoring position before he was stopped.
It ended up being The Eagles' best gain of the day, resulting in 18 yards. And though the Eagles were now within easy field goal range, they had no intent on stopping. They didn't want to tie the game, they wanted the lead.
'Come on, Titans!' Jasmine shouted. She was on the edge of her seat, face contorted with panic.
'Tighten up!' Tommy yelled, grinning at the others after his pun. The boys groaned, Kenny face-palming, but Jasmine was too caught up in the game to have noticed.
Jackson joined the chorus of dee-fence chants, his face reddening as Jasmine gripped his hand, squeezing it tight. Kenny raised his voice, yelling: 'Beat their asses, Titans!' Tommy shot him a quick, unimpressed look; was such language necessary?
Even Rudy looked tense, fists curling up. 'C'mon, Shane. Get your head out of your ass and stop this guy,' he muttered, though none of the others heard him under the ocean of noise from the surrounding seats.
The crowd only grew louder from both sides, but out on the field, as the teams hunkered down into their stances, it seemed as if everything grew quiet just before the snap. Shane and Joseph stood face to face, their breathing syncing.
The ball was snapped. Joseph lunged forward but stuttered. Left right left, the footwork was as skilled and precise as a WR's. Shane backed off, already a little out of his depth trying to cover someone man-to-man, but this explosion of skill and speed had caught him completely off guard. When Joseph shot by to the inside, Shane was still frozen with indecision for a moment.
Shane clawed after Joseph, turning to give chase as the Eagle flew up the middle of the field with another Vertical. The Titans' Safeties were spread out wide, more Receivers attacking downfield with deep Corners; it was just Shane and Joseph through the middle, and Shane couldn't catch up.
Joseph looked back, finding the ball as it descended from the heavens. Shane looked back too, taking longer to find the ball. When he did, his eyes locked onto it. He reached out blindly with one hand, bracing if he was going to run into the back of Joseph. His other hand reached skyward for the ball, but it was too far gone.
The ball was placed perfectly, arcing just out of reach of Shane's outstretched hand. Joseph lunged forward, extending one stride, hauling the ball in, securing it tight against his chest as he continued to run.
Shane pushed forward, diving. He latched onto Joseph's hips, crashing into him. They fell forward, slamming against the ground. Joseph extended his arms, thrusting the ball past the threshold of the end-zone just before the turf smashed into him.
The Eagles took the lead with the first touchdown of the game, deflating the Titans' supporters. They secured their lead with the extra point and pushed the score out to 3–7, where it would remain for the rest of the quarter.