Eyeshield 21: Hang on Sloopy
Chapter 4: Gear and Gossip
I think last week we made a statement. That we are not the same team that the Kantou League can push around. This week we have the Misaki Wolves. This was our chance to keep building on the momentum that we haven't seen around here for the last two seasons. It seems after winning our first game, it may look as if we have a shot at a title.
It's still too early to tell, but it is good to be confident. When I am working out with the guys in the weight room or out on the field, I am still a student. I do my best in the classroom. You have to. When the test results come in, they go directly to our coach and she will know when you're slacking off. If you have trouble in classes, she can help you.
"Remember you have to be smart on and off the field, I can't afford to have any meatheads here," Coach Reed said as we ran laps,
On this team, the helmet of choice is the Schutt XP Pro VTD II with various facemasks. Today, I was running pass drills with Kyle. A pass came to me up the middle. For receivers that is the danger zone. LeCharles Kingston made the hit on me. My whole body shook as my back hit the turf, "Oh c'mon Sloopy, don't look at me like that," he groaned
"It's the eyes, isn't it?" I joked with a giggle, LeCharles smiled and helped me back on my feet, "good hit by the way," I added with a tap on his helmet, and went back to Kyle and the offense for a huddle. It takes more than that to take me out. We ran more plays from long pass plays to running plays where I do my part as a passing target and blocker.
One of our best players on offense is runningback Andre Wilson. When running a run play, I made sure to make any block I can, "You got my back?"
"Always, you can't get an thousand yard season without good blocking," I replied, I had earned respect on the field for having the guts to be the team's punt and kick returner. It takes a lot of brass to play that position. Everyone on the kicking team is going to want to take your head off. As a girl, I think that risk goes double for me, but I still play.
The message boards online and sports websites covering the football games have pegged us to lose to the Wolves on Friday. Most were saying that our win against Seibu High was a fluke, and we cheated somehow. I turned on the TV at my dorm, and saw the Wolves captain, Kamiya Taiga, say that he's going to pluck and roast the Griffons.
'We win our first game in two seasons, of course the league goes from laughing to criticizing' I thought to myself as I turned off the TV for the night,
The next day brings more of the same. Classes in the morning and we go back to our dorms in the early afternoon. Practice starts at four o'clock and ends at eight, give or take how many more times we have to run a play. This practice we were running fullback option drills, and I was working on my blocking skills. I can't catch a pass all the time.
Our fullback is Kenneth Mitchell. He's a rare back. A fullback that not only blocks on pass plays but goes out and makes a play when needed. My teammates call him 'Old School' for his Thurman Thomas style facemask. He has bigger shoulder pads and a bigger neck guard than Andre. He is bigger than Andre, he perfected the 'bash and dash' style.
I was lined up as a wide-out on offense. To be a Griffon, playing both ways is a requirement. Kyle Cade went under center, "Gold-28! 28-Hut!"
It was a pitch-out to the fullback. Kenneth was running a sweep, but made the cut inside and finding a hole in the defense. I lowered my shoulder, and made the key block on LeShaun Foster, "Now I know what they mean when they say: you hit like a girl, Sloopy" Kenneth joked, mixing a hi-five with a hand up as I helped the linebacker to his feet.
I thought he would be mad for getting blocked by a girl. I was wrong, "Way to go, Blondie! That's how it's fuckin' done!" LeShaun cheered as we butted facemasks, and slammed his hands into my shoulder pads. There is a saying in football: don't do anything good if you can't handle the congratulation. This is a very spirited sport, an emotional sport.
"I thought you'd be mad since I put a block on you," I asked as practice was nearing it's end, and the sunset was turning into night. I could barely see the field.
"Nah, it's cool, Sloopy, as long as you hit and make a play, you're good in my books," he said taking off his helmet, revealing his head of neat and straight corn-rowed black hair and a black do-rag, "we all have our place on this team, you just do what you gotta do...and you gotta take that helmet off, practice ended like five minutes ago," he teased,
Friday came. It was our first away game. I was carrying my helmet by the facemask as I boarded the bus with the rest of the team. Our 'away' uniform switches out the black in our uniforms for white on our jerseys, pants, and socks. It was another chance to tell this league that will not be down for long. Watch out Wolves, here come the Griffons.