Chapter 1
In Virginia, high school football means everything. It can bring a community together or tear it apart. In the summer of 1971, the districts began to strip down segregation in schools. In Alexandria, they created the first mixed high school called T.C. Williams. The community was in uproar over this turn of events and it all began to explode when a white shop owner shot a colored kid.
Hallie Bertier sat on the sidelines, chugging her water in the sweltering summer sun. She'd volunteered to help Coach out with keeping the boys hydrated and nurse them should any pass out or lose their lunch in the heat. Summer practices usually weren't this intense, but with the new school year approaching, at a new high school, Coach wanted to be sure they were ready.
Gerry was calling plays, despite not being a QB, but Hallie wasn't surprised. Her big brother had been captain for the last two years. Probably would've been his freshman year but he tore a ligament half way through the season.
"Oh, come on, Kurt, don't let Ray drag you down like that! You're twice his size!" little Cheryl Yoast screamed from Coach's side. With a shake of her head, Hallie got up from her spot in the grass and joined the elder man and his little girl. Cheryl groaned watching the boys mess up the play. "What are they doin'? If they keep playin' like that we'll lose every game!"
Coach only chuckled lightly. "I didn't think that was so bad."
"Yeah Cheryl, cool off a bit," Hallie suggested, pouring some of her water over the girl's head, drenching her dirty blonde curls. Both she and Coach laughed as Cheryl sputtered.
"Hallie!" She threw the elder girl a dirty look. Hallie only smirked and picked Cheryl up bridal style. She swung her around a couple of times until the younger girl started laughing.
"Ah, there's the Cheryl I know. Come on, those boys are gonna start howlin' for water soon," Hallie suggested and the two of them got to work setting up the water table. Hallie noticed Gerry jog on over to Coach. Her big brother was extremely loyal, but he was worried about losing his spot starting on the team. He was a good enough player it shouldn't be a problem.
Just then Alan Boseley ran up to the gate, yelling to the boys. "It's all goin' down at the store. They gonna burn the place up since that colored kid got shot!" The boys took off, following Alan, Gerry in the lead.
Hallie glanced over at Coach. "Go, I'll take Cheryl home." He nodded gratefully and raced toward his truck. He pulled out of the parking lot like a bat out of hell and chased after the boys. Hallie put her arm around Cheryl's shoulders. "Come on, darlin', let's get you home. How does spaghetti sound? We can make enough for Coach when he gets home." Cheryl nodded, crossing her arms.
Coach didn't make it home until hours later. Hallie figured he took all the other boys home so she and Cheryl finished dinner but left some in the oven for Coach. Afterwards, the two girls did the dishes and then settled in to watch All in the Family. Hallie had convinced Cheryl to let her braid the blonde's hair. And afterwards, Cheryl attempted to do the same with Hallie's light locks but seemed to only be able to knot it.
Hallie laughed at Cheryl's frustrated expression. "It's alright, Cheryl, we can work on it."
"I'm home!" a voice called from the doorway.
"Hi Coach," Cheryl and Hallie both greeted.
"You get all the boys home alright?" Hallie questioned, getting to her feet.
"Yeah. Your brother sure is stubborn, Hallie," Coach answered, shaking his head as he settled into his chair.
"Tell me about it," Hallie agreed. "Cheryl, why don't you go get your daddy his dinner?" The little girl nodded and disappeared into the kitchen. "Somethin' else happen, Coach?"
He scratched his chin. "Nothin' you need concern yourself with, Hallie. I, uh, had a meetin' with the negro coach they're bringing up from Carolina. He and, uh, Coach Tyrell don't see eye-to-eye."
Hallie let out a small giggle. "Well, I ain't surprised. Most folks in this town don't see eye-to-eye. Let's just hope they can work together for the season." Coach nodded with a small smile. "I gotta go, Mama and Gerry will probably get worried soon. Good night, Coach."
"Good night, Hallie."
Rudimentary summer practices continued. Hallie was thankful to have them, otherwise she'd be bored out of her skull. It sure was entertaining to watch the boys play. Once in a while she'd get to toss one of the boys a ball, and for a moment she felt like she was one of them. But that moment vanished as soon as it appeared. The other boys seemed to like having her around. Though, Ray's smirk and smartass-ness gave her a headache, he kept his distance because of Gerry.
One day, Coach invited Hallie over to watch Cheryl. He was busy planning for football camp coming up in a couple of weeks. Cheryl and Hallie spent most of the afternoon outside shooting hoops. Despite their age and height difference, Cheryl was much better than Hallie at it. The older girl preferred football to basketball. Still, the tiny blonde enjoyed it and that was the important part. Having Cheryl around was really nice. Hallie wasn't much of a popular girl at school, even though she was Gerry's sister. She spent most of her time tutoring or at practice with guys, helping keep them encouraged and watered. Because of this, Gerry's friends were basically hers. Except for her friend Molly. She didn't mind much though. Hallie wasn't much of a girlie girl most of the time. Though she did like dresses more than Cheryl, that's for sure.
As they played, a car pulled up and a man in suit got out. Hallie quickly went inside to get Coach. He was busy digging into some paperwork. "Hey Coach, someone's here to see you. He's dressed awful nice for a weekday."
"Thank you, Hallie," he replied as he rose from his desk and followed Hallie back out. "Ned, it's good to see you. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
The man, Ned, shook Coach's hand. "I'm afraid I don't have good news, Bill. The school board has decided that negro, Herman Boone, is gonna be the head coach at T.C."
Cheryl immediately latched onto Coach, tears streaming down her full cheeks. "That's not fair!" she cried, glaring at the stranger. "My daddy's head coach! This is gonna be his Hall of Fame year!" And this might ruin his Hall of Fame chances.
"Now, no one is tryin' to take your daddy's future place in the Hall," the man tried to assure her. But Cheryl was a passionate child.
"You can't just walk in here and take my daddy's job away!"
Coach turned toward her, placing a finger over her mouth, "That's enough, Cheryl." He eyed Hallie and she began to lead Cheryl inside. However, Cheryl pushed away the elder blonde's arms and stomped toward the house. She suddenly paused and turned back, brushing past Hallie to kick the man in the legs. "Cheryl!" Coach scolded but she hardly heard him and ran off into the field.
Hallie turned back to Coach. "I got her." The older girl took off after the smaller, finding the blonde curled up under a tree in the tall grass. "Hey, sweetie. I know you're upset but that don't make it alright to just go around kickin' people."
Cheryl's arms were tucked under her knees, her back resting against the tree trunk. "I know. But it ain't right. Daddy's been coachin' for years. Now some guy wants to come in and steal his hall of fame year."
Hallie put an arm around the girl. "Hey, ain't nobody tryin' to steal your daddy's award. But sometimes things are bigger than just any one person. And sometimes we gotta deal with stuff we don't wanna. But I promise you, your daddy is a smart man, he'll figure out what to do that's best for both of you. Alright?"
"Alright," Cheryl sighed. Coach appeared a minute later, and Hallie decided to head home to give them some privacy.
Cheryl told Hallie that Coach Boone came by the next day. But Coach assured the older girl he came by to try and make things work. Though Coach wouldn't give any details, rumors began to fly that he would be moving districts. The weeks flew by and Gerry and the guys became restless. Would Coach leave? He was a good man and Hallie knew Gerry saw him as sort of a father after he and Hallie had lost theirs. And she loved Cheryl and didn't want to lose either of them.
About two weeks later, Coach held a dinner for all the boys and their families at Hal's Diner. Hallie was anxious what it would be about. Would they really leave? What would it mean for the team? For her? For Gerry's college future?
Gerry, Hallie, and Mrs. Bertier found a table near the front with Alan Boseley and Ray Budds and their fathers, as well as Coach and Cheryl. Alan was a lithe boy with a mop of blond hair and doe brown eyes. Ray on the other hand was short and stocky with a strong jaw and. Both were Gerry's closest friends. It was a quiet meal, except for the occasional belch from Alan's father or smart-mouth comment from Cheryl but she was quickly shushed by Coach.
Later, Coach got up to the front after everyone had eaten. "It has been an honor to live here as long as I have, coachin' your boys. I'll be taking the year off. After which, I'll be moving to Lowton. And taking the head coachin' job at Lowton high." Before he had even finished his announcement, there were grumbles and objections from the crowd.
"I say boycott T.C. Williams!" Alan's dad suddenly shouted. "Our boys ain't playing for no 'Coach Coon'!"
Gerry suddenly stood up, his eyebrows furrowed and his face growing red. "Coach, he stole your job! I've started a petition and I'm sittin' this season out." Hallie shook her head. He couldn't do that. He could lose scholarships to college if he didn't play this season. Though, it wasn't for certain if this black coach would let him play.
Coach approached Hallie's brother, still soft spoken and calm. He laid a hand on Gerry's shoulder. "The only place you're going to sit is back in that seat, Gerry. I appreciate it."
"Boycott T.C. Boycott the school!" Alan's dad yelled again, earning agreement from many in the diner. Hallie hid her face in hands. This was a mess.
Coach maneuvered over to Alan's dad, hands on his hips. "Stop this, Fred. You know that none of these boys can afford to go to some other district just to play ball. If they sit this one out, they put their futures on the line."
Ray stood up next. "Coach, I'm out too. I ain't playin' for no thief."
"Don't do this. Don't make this harder for me than it already is," Coach was beginning to lose ground with everybody.
Hallie sighed as Alan got to his feet. "Coach, if you go, I go." And just like that nearly everyone in the dinner got to their feet, shouting they would only play for Coach, applause ensued. Hallie and her mother shared a look. It seemed Coach couldn't leave without a fight.
A few days later, Gerry and Hallie spent their evening at home watching the Senators play the Indians. Being so close to DC, the siblings were proud Senators fans. Gerry even had a 'Shoeless' Joe Hardy baseball card from the player's only season in the forties. Their father had collected it in his teens.
"Why are you buntin' a knuckleball?" Gerry yelled at the TV set.
"'Cause he's a knucklehead," Hallie pointed out, earning a small smile and nod.
"He should've at least gone for the double," Gerry continued as the next batter stepped up the plate.
Hallie shook her head. "Nah, the outfield was pushin' back. They were ready for a fly. Probably should've grounded it and booked it to first." The batter missed the pitcher's slider.
"Hmm, maybe," Gerry relented, shoving more popcorn into his mouth. His little sister reached over to steal some from the large bowl.
"Man, I can't wait for the season. Think the 'skins got a chance this year?"
Gerry shrugged. "I dunno. The Cowboys are lookin' pretty good accordin' to the papers."
"Yeah, but they probably have a good shot at the Wild Card," Hallie said after some thought. The batter managed to get to first before the ball.
"I think so," Gerry agreed. "If they make playoffs we should go and see them."
Hallie grinned at the possibility. "That would be awesome."
The inning of the game ended so the Senators took the field. They managed to get a double play after the second batter tipped up to third base. The Bertier siblings cheered. The Senators won the game, 7-3.
Gerry left early the next morning. Hallie wondered why she was so surprised by this, he loved football too much to give it up. After getting dressed she hopped in her car to go out for some breakfast. However, as she was driving down the street Hallie noticed a boy running in the direction of the school.
He was a big boy, in more ways than one. He was tall, probably near 6 ft. and he was on the chubby side, but he looked like he had some muscle in his arms and legs. His blond hair was matted to his pale face, probably from sweat judging from his beet red face. She wondered if he was heading to the football meeting as well.
She pulled the car over and leaned across the seat to roll down the window. "Hey sweet cheeks, you heading to T.C.?"
The boy stopped short and turned to her, breathing hard. "Yeah."
"You a football player?" He nodded, his blue eyes were confused. Hallie grinned, "My brother too, you wanna lift?" The boy hesitated, looking at her warily. "I won't bite, promise."
"Alright," the boy relented. Hallie unlocked the door allowing him to slide into the passenger seat. She was right, he was so tall that his head only just missed the roof of the car.
"I'm Hallie Bertier, by the way," she said as she put the car in gear and headed toward the school.
"Louis Lastik," the blond boy answered.
"Nice to meet you, Louis. You just move here?"
Louis nodded. "Yes, ma'am. I'm a navy brat so we move around a lot."
"You a defensive or offensive tackle; you got the build to cover the QB's blindside," Hallie questioned off handedly causing Louis to look up at her in surprise.
"You know football?" Louis requested, his blue eyes wide with surprise.
Hallie snorted. "My brother's been playing for Coach Yoast since he could walk. I kind of developed my own love for the game."
"You ever thought of playing?"
It took everything Hallie had to not stomp on the brakes in surprise. "Um, well I'm a girl and Coach would never let me play."
"But isn't Coach Boone Head Coach now? If he's gonna let blacks play too maybe he'd let you."
Hallie smiled gently at Louis' optimism. "I dunno, Louis. I mean I've dreamed of playing alongside my brother for years but..."
She turned into the parking lot and quickly pulled into a spot. Louis hopped out of the car and leaned down to look at her. "Wouldn't hurt to ask." With that the blond boy rushed into the gym.
Hallie sat there for a moment, her thoughts conflicted. Gerry would be pissed off if she attempted to do this and her mother would never let her do it. She watched the door where Louis had disappeared a moment ago and, without thinking, she rushed out of her car and inside. A group of black boys were gathered facing the new black coach, Herman Boone. Louis grinned at her as she stood there awkwardly.
Coach Boone made his way over to her with a stern expression on his face. "Can I help you, miss?"
"I-I'm not sure, sir," she muttered, nervously watching the boys whose eyes were all fixed on her.
"Why aren't you sure?" Coach Boone demanded standing in front of her with his arms crossed.
Hallie gulped. "My mama and brother don't want me to play, sir."
Boone was silent for a moment, observing her. She suddenly felt underdressed in her pants and blouse. "What position would you play?"
"Center, sir, maybe kicker," she answered immediately, already knowing which positions would be best for someone of her size.
Boone nodded. "If you want to be on this team, I expect you to work just as hard as the rest."
Hallie nodded. "Yes, Coach."
"Then I expect you here August 27th bright and early, 7:29, dressed nicely."
"Yes, sir."
Just then the door opened and in walked Coach Yoast, Gerry, Ray, Alan, and all the old white players. Gerry's eyes immediately found her. His eyebrows furrowed ferociously, jaw clenching, and nostrils flaring. He looked like the Wolfman about to eat her.
"Hallie!"
Boone turned back to her. "That your brother?"
"Yes, sir."
"He don't want you to play."
Hallie looked up and met his dark eyes. "I play for you, Coach, not him." The corners of Boone's mouth twitched up a bit.