Down 10: Could it Work?: The Eagle Defense and Wild Cat Offense
During halftime at Plant High, everyone goes back to the locker rooms to discuss what to do next. Coach Finkle took out a white board and a marker to draw up what we needed to do. "You see, on defense they are forcing our lineman out, opening up a path in the middle, which we cannot cover effectively. If we do cover it, they swing outside. So in order to combat this, we shall use a new defensive set, using five linebackers," coach Finkle drew up a set with 3 down lineman, and five linebackers. "One of our tackles will take off for this, but it will be better off. Doug, you'll go in for this lineman. Your power is key."
Sena could see Doug was happy. His wish had come true, a defense where all five of the linebackers were needed. Coach Finkle continued, "We will have Sena outside, Roger in to the left, Shin in the middle, Doug on his outside, and Steve on the left outside. As for the line, both Fred and Paul will lineup closer in, on the guard instead of the tackle. The linebackers over will stand 3 yards back from the line, over the tackles, blitzing them. Far outside backers will spy the QB, and get the outside run. Corners and safeties can keep what they are doing, their pass isn't succeeding well. With this, we can hold them to 2 yards to every run, if we can execute our jobs. Doug, I am trusting that you worked hard enough for this. Shin, tell the nose guard which side to go, and you go the opposite side. This is the Eagle Defense"
'Having one extra line backer could do all that?' Sena questioned to himself.
"On offense, we will continue our regular game plan; the ballista has a few kinks to work out though. Sena, you'll be taking it up the field every time now, while Shin and Carson will double team Rush this time. Fred will pull, opening up a hole, while the line will be trying their best to stabilize. If all else fails, I'll call a time out to implement something else. We got defense to start off with, so show them the Eagle first, and hit it hard."
The special teams did a good job keeping Manatee behind the 20 yard line, starting them at the 16 yard line, having a ways to go until the end zone. Coach Dale started to announce, "Manatee did a pretty good job on offense last half, let's see how they can turn this around. Will Eyeshield 21, Sena Kobiyakawa be able to light up the defense and prove too much. Will Shin be able to take down the offense? It all starts now." With that came the snap.
Sena executed his job, watching the QB as he handed the ball off. With Shin and the tackle attacking the A gaps, combined with the blitz from Roger and Doug, the hand off was forced outside. Trag ran to Sena's side, facing off against the Ghost. "With great work on the fat line, the ball has been forced outside. It seems like Sena has the tackle."
Sena saw his chance, using his cuts to confuse Trag into going backwards, tackling him for a 5 yard loss. The Eagle defense showed its power. It acted like wings, able to catch all runs, forcing them outside with the beak (line and center 3 linemen) while the wings caught everything outside. The next play had a similar result, being a run to Steve's side, gaining a 2 yard gain for Manatee.
"I say we pass it this time" the Manatee QB called in his huddle.
"Shin, what do we do if they pass it?" Sena asked.
"Just watch the QB's eyes. If he doesn't look your way, blitz him."
On the pass play, the QB looked to Steve's side, opting Sena to blitz. But it was not needed, the beak of the eagle has succeeded in neutralizing Dulton and the fat linemen. Shin got a sack (where the QB is tackled before he can throw the ball). Manatee punted the ball on the fourth down, Plant gaining possession at the 50 yard line.
"Greg, all we have to do here is run up the middle? Rush won't be a problem for me?" Sena asked
"Well, if Carson and Shin do their jobs, yes, no problem." He responded.
It was amazing, with Rush double teamed, Sena was able to get a good gain on every play. First play was 6, then a 4 yard gain. Another gain of 8 pushed it up a notch. "Hey Eyeshield, this is a defensive game, I'll prove it here" called Rush.
"With another amazing rush, you can hear the excitement (the crowd was cheering for Sena) in the crowd. Can Eyeshield be stopped?"
The next play, Sena rushed up like he did before. However, Shin was caught off guard by something. Rush had flattened Carson at the line, forcing Shin to take him on alone. In this case, it was a stalemate, where Rush could spin out for the tackle, as he did, Sena gaining only 3 yards.
"Carson, keep it up, you gotta make this work" Greg told him. Unfortunately, Carson could not, he fumbled the next snap, which Rush quickly snatched up. For the next few drives, both team made no advancements. The Eagle defense was working perfectly, while the Body Slam of Manatee combined with Rush as the head slam, no progress was made. For the fourth quarter, Rush moved onto offense. With his power, he used a technique similar to the ballista to break through the beak. Shin was knocked back, while the tackle was made to Trag 7 yards up.
"TOUCHDOWN, It is now a game," the announcer said. "Looks like Plant has called a time out, with only 5 minutes left in the game, they have to score soon in order to win. The score is 10-14, Manatee is ahead."
"Our offense right now isn't working. We need to install the Wild Cat," coach Finkle explained. "Sena, you gotta get behind Carson and get the snap. Greg, you are going out for this one, the backup running back will take up your place. Sena, take the snap, and run up the field. Shin and Toby will block for you. Fred will be pulling, so you got three guys going up the middle for you, and Carson. Rush should be taken care of in that mess, and we should be able to cut it up the field. Sena," coach Finkle addressed, "I am giving you responsibility to call the plays. If you see Rush lining up too close, call it to go outside. We will adjust."
"Yes Sir," Sena said in perfect English.
Back on the field, the special teams had done a great job getting the ball to the 40 yard line, making it only 60 yards to the end zone. 'Wow, this is something' Sena thought. 'Last time I played QB was against the Dinosuars, so just scramble if the line falls.' With the snap, memories of that game came back. It was all instinct. The line worked perfectly, as did the three blockers, stabilizing Rush and the Fatty Line's Body Slam technique. Sena rushed forward, into the A gap.
"Get 21" yelled Rush, having been double teamed and unable to break free.
"Here it is, the Eyeshield 21 of Japan, using cross steps and amazing cuts to get past the linebackers. It is a 15 yard gain," the announcer called.
"12 yard gain."
"11 yard gain."
"Wild Cat truly pwns the Manatee defense, being unable to stop it. Another 20 yard gain. This puts the Plant Pumas only 2 yards to the endzone."
Down 10.5: Devil Bat Dive? You Mean Puma Pounce Spiral.
"TIMEOUT"
"We got them now. This time we'll use a goal line offense. We only need to get 2 yards, so no need to go all out with a wild cat. This play is called the Hammer," coach Finkle drew it up on the white board. "We will have Fred, the Tight End, pull at the right moment, to block the outside. Sena, you'll take the hand off, and run right up in the middle, there should be a gap open. You gotta jump as high as you can."
'A Devil Bat Dive?' Sena thought. 'It has been so long, I don't even know if I can call it that. But with all of this going on, it needs to work. Working though Ply Metrics, my jumping has improved.'
Fred went into motion. Just as he passed Carson, the ball was hicked, and Fred went back to his original side, blocking with full force. Sena grabbed the ball, holding it with both hands, using his legs to jump upwards.
"No cigar little guy" called a gruff voice. Sena had jumped right into Rush's grip, being thrusted downwards. It didn't work.
"Second Down"
"Why didn't it work?" Sena asked the huddle.
"We are sorry Sena, that Rush doesn't even come in, he stands there and jumps up, knowing what is coming," told Fred. "I'll try my best, the hammer can break through this. Try to stay on your feet long enough to see him coming."
With another snap, the play was flipped, with the thought to confuse the defense. Rush stood where he was, expecting the ball to go through the same spot as last play. It was not. Sena grabbed the ball with both hands and ran to the opposite side. Fred didn't take his block back, going straight up. Combined with Shin, Rush was going to be double teamed. Shin and Fred took him head on
"Determination" Shin called.
"Pride" as did Fred.
"And most of all, the act of flattening one of the best" called both simultaneous. With that, they tossed Rush aside, opening a clear path for Sena. Sena rushed in, jumping higher than he ever before. Last play he used the Devil Bat Dive, which failed. This jump was higher, it had power to it. Sena's gold trimming turned into fire as the light from the headlights reflected off of the spiraling jersey.
'This is amazing; I can feel the power to it. The line is blocking, both backs are doing their jobs. This is my time to do my job,' thought Sena. Some word was coming to his mind, not being Devil Bat Dive, but something new. "Puma Pounce" he stuttered "Puma Pounce Spiral."
"Touchdown, game over" called announcer Dale. "With the extra point, the score ends at 17-14 with Plant High being victorious."