Eyeshield 21: Hang on Sloopy
Chapter 2: Born to Run (Nishimura Griffons vs Seibu Wild Gunmen: Part 1)
I am a California girl born and raised in Groveland, California not far from Yosemite. I'm a small town cowgirl, and so coming to Japan was a big step for me. Those months of practice under Coach Reed seemed to go by in a blur mixed with grit, sweat, and pain. Tonight was the night of our first game against Seibu, and everyone was pegging us to lose.
We had a ceremony the night before the game where we took the old Pride uniforms in a big pile in the parking lot. The principle and the coach circled around with torches, and tossed the torches into the pile. The old uniforms burned, and signaled the start of something new at the school. A new team, and a way of football at Nishimura Academy.
"Well guys, this is it," said Coach Reed, "your first game, remember, win or lose, you leave that stadium with your heads up, it's like I said during practice, do everything the best that you possibly can, and a little bit more, everyone brings something special to this team, now if we're going to show Japan that we're a team, then we better look like one,"
"Go get 'em, Kid," said Coach with a smirk passing a helmet to Kyle, the quarterback, like a basketball.
He caught it easily, and soon I got my helmet as well, "Thanks Coach," he replied with a thankful smile,
These are the coolest uniforms I had ever seen. Our team colors were black, silver, teal, and white. Our helmets were silver with black facemasks and silver, teal, black and white pouncing griffon on our helmets. A teal, triangle-shaped stripe with a black bordering goes down the center of the helmet. The chinstraps that go with the helmet are also black.
Coach got us those cool black jerseys with silver and teal talons on the shoulders with teal numerals with a silver bordering. We have lycra black pants with a teal wedge design on the sides with a silver border matching the ones on the sides of our jerseys, black socks and black cleats. It even says 'Griffons' in small gold and silver letters on the front.
"I've seen how fast you are in practice, you got hands too, speed kills, Blondie," said LeCharles Kingston, the starting safety with a sense of humor. He patted me on the helmet, "maybe that's why you're single, because no one can catch yo' curvy ass," a cheerleader would probably smack him for that joke. Me? I laugh it off. It's true. I do have a big butt.
"You want a view? Look at Coach Reed," I replied, pointing a thumb to tight blue jean-wearing Coach whom was leading us out onto the field for the first time,
"Hey, I heard that, Blondie," said Coach, "you're as big as me," I saw make her smirk for the first time since she arrived here. It seems coach can take a joke,
"And run laps for half the practice? No thanks, it's not worth it," said Kyle, the quarterback and I have the same style of helmet and facemask, going for that Tony Romo style except I'm not Jessica Simpson. During the summer, I was a target for hitting in practice. Every time I got laid out, I would always got back on my feet. I'll never quit football.
It felt so good coming out of the lockers for the first time. Hearing the name of our team announced to the entire school as we got out onto the field. The lights, the energy, and the crowds. There is no better feeling in the world. I was running pass drills with Kyle Cade and Andre Wilson, another one of his passing targets. Andre is also our runningback
Where I have a thick blond braid behind me, Andre has dreadlocks and wears a helmet like Antonio Brown's but with a mirrored eyeshield. He had a neck roller which reminds me of Predator. At 5'11 and 200lbs, he's fast and can run you over if you're in his way. I butted facemasks with him after a catch, "You sure there's no stick'em on your gloves?"
"Hey, cheaters never win, Dre," I replied, tossing the ball back to Kyle. The quarterback got a chuckle out of that,
"True, or when they get caught, they go to the media and say it's not true when it really is," said Kyle, reflecting on his upbringing in Massachusetts,
"Tell that to the Patriots," said Andre, the whistle blew from Coach Reed, and the blue jean wearing coach call us to bring it in. Coach Reed looked like someone stuck in the mid-2000s with her flared and back pocket-less jeans. We all took a knee to the coach. This was our chance to show the League that we are not going to be pushed around anymore.
"I think I already gave my big speech in the locker, let's do this team, hands in," said Coach Reed, "team on three, one-two-three," we all said 'team' in unison, and broke off to the sidelines. I never got a chance to play for the Pride, but I got one now as a Griffon. It was time for the opening coin toss. I went out with Kyle and LeCharles out to midfield.
We won the toss, and elected to receive the ball. I jogged onto the field for the kickoff. Time seemed to slow down as I waited for the kick. When the foot hits the ball, it sounds like a loud drum or a thunder clap. The ball seemed to be suspended in midair, and time would speed up as I caught the ball. Our first football game in Japan was now under way