"You're really lucky this year to have found such a formidable guy…" During the handshake, the head coach of St. Martin Academy looked quite unconvinced, and his tone was a little sour.
Anyone could see that if Medford High didn't have that No. 21, the outcome would have been hard to predict.
However, there's not much to say in competitive sports; a win is a win.
Coach George's ability to trust Mike and send him onto the field at a crucial moment was also a display of "strength."
At this moment, Coach George wore a moderate smile, fully embodying the posture of a victor.
"…I wish you good luck in your upcoming games, and I hope you can make it into the state's top eight." The St. Martin Academy head coach originally had a lot more to discuss with Georgie, but seeing the annoying smile on the other party's face, he found it irritating and could only reluctantly offer his blessings.
Compared to private schools, public high schools have significant differences in both hardware and software.
It's like the difference between an amateur team and a professional team.
'A public high school making it into the state's top eight' was already the best possible blessing.
As for Medford High winning the state championship, that was something even Coach George dared not imagine.
Meanwhile, St. Martin Academy's Summer League for this year had already ended as soon as it began.
If the Medford High football team could continue its winning streak and eventually reach the state's top eight, then St. Martin Academy could also say that it lost to a top-eight team, which would sound better.
"Thank you for your blessings—" Coach George smiled and shook hands with the opposing head coach.
At this point, the entire game officially ended, and the losers exited the field.
The Medford High football players, including the substitutes, returned to the center of the field.
One, two, three, they put their hands together.
Unity, struggle, effort, and honor bound the entire team together.
Aaron shouted: "Medford—"
"Victory!!!"
At this moment, victory was the best gift!
Amidst the cheers, Georgie and Aaron exchanged glances, then, with great tacit agreement, they lifted Mike, the greatest contributor, one on each side.
Then, the excited players forcefully hoisted Mike into the air and paraded him around the field.
The cheerleaders, led by Regina, were also spraying streamers and colored smoke on the sidelines.
Outside the stadium, supporters of the local team generously offered another round of cheers.
This kind of enthusiastic and wild scene could only be seen at a home game.
After the initial discomfort, Mike began to enjoy the feeling of being in the spotlight.
He took off his helmet, waved his hands, and shared the joy of victory with the people outside the stadium.
About ten minutes later, he finally escaped the players' clutches, tidied his uniform, and walked off the field.
On the sidelines, Sheldon and Connie's group had also gathered around Coach George, waiting for Mike's arrival.
"Excuse me, can we ask you a few questions?" A middle-aged man carrying a camera blocked Mike's path: "Oh, let me introduce myself, I'm Jack, a reporter from the state TV station. Your performance today was amazing, it really opened my eyes…"
Jack, with his receding hairline and scruffy beard, looked like a disheveled middle-aged man. However, his expression at this moment was extremely excited.
Mike did not refuse the other party's enthusiasm. He first waved to the Cooper family, greeted them, then turned his gaze back and said, "My name is Mike, nice to meet you. What do you want to know?"
As he spoke, Mike slicked his sweat-soaked hair back, revealing his delicate features.
"Just like that—" Jack's eyes lit up, and he raised his camera, taking several close-up shots of Mike's face.
The young man's bright and confident smile was even more dazzling than the midday sun.
It must be said that although Jack looked sloppy, he did not lack an eye for beauty. After taking a few sets of photos, he excitedly said, "Mike, believe me, your image on TV will surely captivate countless girls…"
Mike could only give an awkward yet polite chuckle in response to the middle-aged man's enthusiasm, offering no reply.
Jack seemed to realize he was too enthusiastic. He composed himself, resuming the demeanor of a professional reporter: "Alright, Mike. Next, I'll ask you a few small questions. If you feel uncomfortable, it's fine not to answer."
Seeing the other party return to normal, Mike nodded.
"First question." Jack adjusted the camera angle and asked, "What was going through your mind during that second offensive drive at the end of the third quarter?"
"Nothing special, I just wanted to help the team score," Mike smiled and continued, "That offensive play was the coach's arrangement; I just needed to follow the plan. Of course, I also have to thank my teammates for their help in ultimately getting the touchdown."
Perhaps many people can talk fluently in private but always feel a bit awkward in front of a camera.
Mike, however, handled the interview very well.
Jack looked at Mike's natural performance in the camera, nodded with satisfaction, and continued to ask, "Second question, how long have you been training to achieve your current excellent personal strength?"
"Hmm— About half a year or so!" Mike wasn't exactly lying; two months are included within half a year.
For most people, physical training is a difficult and lengthy process, with every drop of sweat yielding results.
Mike was different from the average person; he was a cheat-code player.
"Half a year? You truly are a genius…" Jack marveled at Mike's talent.
Before Jack could continue praising him, a blonde beauty appeared in the frame.
"Hi, Mike—" Regina enthusiastically greeted Mike, then, in a familiar manner, said to Jack, "Are you a local reporter? Mike and I are very close. If you want to know anything, you can ask me."
"Oh, alright." Jack seemed a bit reserved in front of a beauty of Regina's caliber.
"By the way, I just saw you taking pictures of Mike. Can you take two more for us?" Regina leaned against Mike, appearing very intimate and at ease.
Jack's rhythm was disrupted by her, and he could only nod in agreement.
Regina was a very charming girl, and she naturally had a good sense of the camera. In the frame, she and the handsome Mike looked very much like a golden couple.
For the next period, Regina enthusiastically praised Mike's performance at school, and then conveniently promoted her The Plastics.
"Mike, remember to watch the state TV channel on Friday…" After the interview, Jack hastily said goodbye to Mike and fled the school with his camera as if escaping.
Regina, whose desire to perform had been satisfied, looked at his retreating back and praised, "This reporter is quite nice…"
Mike silently mourned for three seconds for Jack, who had been tormented by Regina for half an hour. Then he shook his head and started to walk towards the Cooper family.
"Wait—" Regina called out to Mike, inviting him, "To celebrate the team's victory, I've decided to throw a party, and you, the biggest contributor, can't be absent."
Mike's performance today would definitely make him the school's "star." Feeling a sense of urgency, Regina decided to make a move herself.