Eyeshield 21: Hang on Sloopy
Chapter 6: One School, One Team
To be on a team, you have to prove yourself. In the states, I hang on to every ball thrown to me in practice and I hang on to get up from every shot I take, hence my nickname. Yet the only action I would ever see on Friday nights was going out on the field in the final seconds of the fourth quarter for the third string quarterback to spike the ball.
A team does not revolve around one player. If it weren't for the blocking from the special teams, I would not have made that touchdown against Misaki. I owe a lot of credit to them for my punt and kickoff returns. Eleven guys are much more important than one. We had a game coming against Oujou, and our coach was planning something big.
"Alright team, this Friday we got Oujou," she said as we all gathered around her,
"Now offense, we're gonna be working on a play that requires both receivers to do their part, put it this way, both of you will get the ball if we get it right," Coach Cade explained while twirling her whistle. I was catching my breath from running laps, and doing fourteen up-downs for the points that the Wolves scored last Friday. That's how it works.
Things are different than they were in the states. It feels great to get playing time. I often asked myself what Coach saw in me when everyone looked at me as a benchwarmer. It didn't matter. I lined up for the scrimmage as a wide out, and looked to Davon Riley and Rashad Treadwell. When the ball was snapped to Kyle, I bolted off the line.
I got the ball and took a shot from Kingston. As I was hit, I flipped the ball to Davon but he dropped it, "DAMMIT!" Coach blasted,
"In order for this to work, you two have to time it, now ain't the time to have butterfingers, Riley!" she scolded to him, Coach Cade doesn't hold grudges. Her anger when plays don't go her way doesn't last that long, "no shame in it, Riley, we'll get it right," she said patting him on the helmet, and he went back to the offense and we tried it again.
This time we got it, and Davon Riley was running down the sidelines until Coach Cade blew the whistle, "Good, good, great timing on the toss, and it's good that you made sure the ball goes behind you," said Coach as I got a hand up from LeCharles, "defense, you gotta be quick to capitalize on it, make sure 'Sloopy' here doesn't get the ball off,"
After practice, I talked with Rashad and Davon, "You sure this play's gonna work?"
"If the 'Hook and Ladder' works in the NFL, it can work here," I replied, and then I thought of the White Knights' tough defense and their best player, whom some label as the 'perfect player', Shin Seijuro, "I think it's going to work," I added to a few pats on the shoulder pads from the other two receivers, and headed into the locker rooms to change.
I just back in tight blue jeans and a t-shirt coming out of the locker room. I went back to my dorm and finished up my English paper which was due the next day in class. I don't have a roomie with me in the girls dorms. I probably could use one, but at the same time it gives more time to work on my schoolwork, and more time to think about things.
My practice uniform was in the wash, leaving me with my game uniform in the closet, "You mean a lot to me," I said to myself,
That black jersey, black pants, and black socks made me feel a part of something greater. I didn't need a roomie because I got plenty of company from the guys and coach on the team. It's funny though, I have made so many catches and made such an impact on the team that the marching band plays that famous song by The McCoys when I score.
I even memorized the dance moves in the 60s music video to the song, and that became my endzone celebration to the guys laughing on the sidelines. Yeah, I dance like a white girl. I don't do these kinds of little things because I want to show that I am better than everyone else. I simply do it for the same reason that I play football in the first place.
"Should be done by now," I said to myself to check on my practice uniform in the dryer,
Friday soon came around. It sure seems like Friday comes around a bit faster these days. I got my uniform out of the closet, and looked out the window. It looked like a nice day outside. I went to the lockers, and put my stuff in there before heading to class. This is an away game, but Coach instructed that we all wear our home uniforms to this game.
Holding my helmet by the facemask like a suitcase with my jersey covering my shoulder pads, I boarded the bus with my other teammates. Sometimes I sat with the receivers. Other times I sat with Kyle or with Coach depending on what time I got to the bus. Tonight it was with Kyle, "Hey Cade, can I scooch in here?" I asked, and he moved over kindly,
"I have a feeling we're in for a good game," I said, looking out the window as the marching band was getting on their bus,
"I think so too," Kyle replied, "well, it can't be as bad as the last time we played the White Knights back when we were the Pride...43-0,"