As the game progressed, Mike resorted to too many individual charges to keep pace with the score.
According to incomplete statistics, he knocked down opponents in charges no less than ten times in the second and third quarters alone.
The audience was very happy to see such an aggressive style of play. However, this high-intensity style of play was now testing Mike's physical stamina.
For the current Mike, carrying a team forward by himself was still too much to ask.
Mike, whose stamina was almost depleted, now deeply understood George's words: football is a team sport.
At the midfield line, Mike, holding the football, tried to force his way through twice more. Finding himself unable to break through the opponent's double-team, he looked towards Sam on the sideline.
Sam also wanted to step up and help the team at this moment. However, two opposing linebackers were tightly marking him, making it impossible for him to find an open space to receive the ball.
Realizing there was no offensive opportunity on the sideline, Mike immediately surveyed the entire field.
Then, he once again saw Georgie, who had made a good run, in the opponent's backfield.
Without time to think, as the timeout limit was approaching, Mike once again delivered the football to Georgie with a high-arc short pass.
Georgie, who received the ball, reacted quickly this time, and rushed towards the opponent's backfield with the football.
However, a frontal attack was not Georgie's strong suit. He hadn't run far with the ball before he was tackled by the opponent's safety, who was specifically marking him.
"NO, NO, NO…"
Medford's second-down offense was once again thwarted. George, seeing Mike's impatience from the sideline, shouted loudly, "Don't rush, slow down the pace. We still have time…"
Indeed, under normal circumstances, Austin's lead in scoring after entering the fourth quarter was not enough to secure their victory. As long as Medford maintained their rhythm, there were still many opportunities for a comeback.
However, Mike, who was on the field, understood the situation more clearly. If they engaged in a tug-of-war with the opponent now, it would be slow suicide for Medford.
So, with the ball again, Mike had only one thought in his mind: Charge!
As Mike exerted himself again, the game on the field became intense once more.
However, it was still the same old saying: how could one person's strength compare to the energy of an entire team?
In the ensuing rapid offensive transitions, Mike gradually became powerless. The score, without surprise, was widened by the Austin team.
Beep—
As the final whistle blew, Mike stopped in his tracks. His face was covered in sweat, as if it had been washed with water.
79:65
Medford lost the game by a large margin. This also signified the end of their Summer League journey this year.
Looking at the score on the scoreboard, the Medford players all showed unwilling expressions.
They clearly had a strong teammate like Mike; if they had only tried harder, perhaps the outcome of this game would have been different.
…
At this moment, the audience outside the court also gave a warm applause for this exciting game.
Although Medford was still far behind in overall strength, Mike's tenacious fighting spirit still won the favor of many spectators.
"Hey man, you played great today. I look forward to fighting you again next year…" Austin's quarterback approached Mike after the game.
It was clear that Mike's powerful strength had conquered his opponent in this game.
However, a loss was a loss.
Mike, not in the mood, perfunctorily said a few words to the other party and then walked off the court with his teammates.
"Kids, you've done very well. Don't be discouraged, we still have a chance next year…" George, standing on the sidelines, encouraged each player as they came off the field.
Afterward, George went to the center of the court to shake hands with the opposing head coach.
"It was a pleasure to have such an exciting match with your team. I look forward to having the opportunity to play against you again next year," Austin's head coach said with a smile.
"I'm also looking forward to it—" George said coldly, politely shaking the other party's hand.
Clearly, George was still a little displeased with the opponent's action of taking Aaron off the field at the very beginning of the game.
As the two head coaches finished shaking hands, this top-ten game officially came to an end.
The Medford players, having lost the game, no longer had the anticipation they had when they arrived. One by one, like defeated roosters, they silently boarded the bus.
Two hours later, the school bus fleet returned to Medford.
"Everyone relax a bit. Our results this year are already very good. If you're still unwilling about today's game, then train well in the future. When we become stronger, we'll go to Austin High for revenge next year," George encouraged the players at the front of the bus.
"Coach is right, we still have a chance to defeat Austin in next year's Spring Invitational," Aaron stepped forward and asked loudly, "Does everyone have confidence?"
After a morning of games, the Medford players had all grown a lot.
Hearing Aaron's words, someone echoed, "Yes!"
Then, the shouts grew louder and louder, and the players' eyes became more and more determined.
"Very good, that's the spirit we need…" George smiled, encouraged the players a few more times, and then announced the team's dismissal.
After all the players had left, Mike and Georgie walked together towards the locker room.
On the way, Georgie suddenly spoke, "Mike, do you think I'm particularly untalented in football?"
"Why do you say that?" Mike was a little surprised.
Although Georgie's performance in today's game wasn't particularly outstanding, it was still decent.
"I…" Georgie, who was about to confide, turned to look at Mike and then sighed, "Never mind, let's not talk about it."
What was there to say?
Because Georgie had a football coach for a father, he started playing football at a very young age.
Moreover, George had always wanted to train his eldest son to be a qualified football player.
In the past, encouraged by his father, Georgie had always believed that he could become an excellent football player. But after today's game, he realized the importance of talent.
Compared to Mike, Georgie felt like a useless person.
Mike thought for a moment and understood the reason for Georgie's frustration. However, football is indeed a sport that relies heavily on talent, often competing in terms of physical strength.
Georgie indeed couldn't be considered talented in this regard.
Due to this reason, Mike didn't know how to comfort the other party for a while.