"Shaggy, these seats are incredible." Daphne said, impressed, as she, Shaggy, Velma and Scooby-Doo as they climbed a small set of stairs and took their seats in the first row up, right on the 50 yard line. "How did you afford them?"

"Well, like, they're Danny's parent's tickets. One for each of them and one for his little brother. They didn't really want to come to any games, so like they gave them to me."

Velma and Daphne nodded solemnly. Scooby laid down in front of them, causing many fans passing by to step over him, or squeeze up against the fence to get by. Shaggy, noticing this, called him over to the bench, scratching his ears to stop him from interrupting traffic.

Out on the field, both teams were warming up. The Coolsville Comets had on white jerseys, the numbers yellow with a bright blue outline. The opposing team, the Southern Ohio Generals, wore navy jerseys with solid maroon numbers.

"Like, what's Fred's number?"Shaggy asked, raising a hand to shield his eyes from the sun as he scanned the mass of players.

"48. He's probably on the side passing, or maybe running drills with the defense. It's not likely he'll get any playing time. He's sort of a jack-of-all trades when it comes to skills. He's pretty good at a bunch of stuff, but doesn't really excel at anything," Daphne said, doing the same thing.

"He's over there," Velma pointed towards a group of Coolsville players running offensive drills.

"That... that can't be right," Daphne said, standing to get a better view. "That's the quarterback's warm-up. He's not... oh, he can't be."

Daphne sat back down and sighed.

"Well, we're going to lose."

"Like, don't say that, Daph," Shaggy patted her on the back. "You don't know that."

"If Fred is playing quarterback, we're going to lose," she frowned. "Too bad."

"And why are they throwing it? I thought this was football." Velma asked as she observed the players.

"It is football," Daphne narrowed her eyes. "You have been to a football game before, right?"

" I thought I made it very clear that I've never done anything before, so will you please not ask that," Velma said with a frown. "But I thought football was the one where they kicked the ball. You know, foot and ball. Football?"

"Do you mean soccer?" Daphne asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Wait..." Velma considered for a moment. "Soccer and football aren't the same thing?"

"Oh hunny," Daphne sighed. "Okay. There's two sides, offense and defense. Each side has..."

As Daphne launched into a football lesson for Velma, Shaggy observed the student around them.

It was definitely the best attended football game Shaggy had been to. Over five thousand students, parents, and fans filled almost every inch of the stadium. Most were decked out in the blue and yellow of the Coolsville Comets, though a small group on the far side of the field wore the colors of Southern Ohio.

"Hey, man. We missed you last night," a familiar voice said.

Shaggy sighed through his nose as Stan slid onto the bench next him. Scooby let out a low growl, but Shaggy laid a hand on his head to stop him.

"Like, what do you want, Stan?"

"I just came to tell you we missed you at the party," Stan said, taken aback at Shaggy's rude greeting. "It was fun, but like it would have been better with you there, you know?"

"Thanks, but like, can we talk later? Because like I'm here with my friends."

Stan gave Daphne and Velma, who had stopped talking about football upon Stan's arrival, a once over.

"Who are they?" Stan asked with a nod in the girl's direction.

"Like, they're my friends, man," Shaggy said defensively. "Lay off."

"Don't get so angry, man. I was just asking. I thought we were your friends, you know," Stan asked, rising to his feet.

"I can have more friends than just you guys, Stan," Shaggy said angrily, also getting to his feet.

For a second Shaggy and Stan just stood there, Shaggy trying his best to intimidate him with his height. In the end, Stan just shrugged.

"Whatever, man. If you wanna hang with us later, we'll be at Wendell's. Later."

Stan turned his back to Shaggy and started climbing his way up the stands. Daphne put a hand on Shaggy's arm and Shaggy sat down, his face still contorted with anger.

"Who is he?" Velma asked quietly as Shaggy let out a deep breath.

"Stan. He's like the leader of a group of kids I used to run with, but like all they care about is drinking, smoking, and trippin', man. And like it just feels like it's a way to distract yourself, and like I don't care that they do it. But like, right now I'd be trying to distract myself from Danny's death, and like... like Danny wasn't in to that. It just... like it just doesn't feel right."

Daphne and Velma nodded solemnly. Daphne turned to Velma.

"As you say you've never done anything before, o I can safely assume you've never tripped before?"

"Oh I've tripped," Velma stated, nodding. Daphne gave her a look. "I mean, not on acid, but on many other things. Most recently, those stairs we took up here."

Daphne rolled her eyes.

"You think you're very clever, don't you?"

"I am very clever."

There was a loud boom, which made them all jump. Everyone started looking around to see what the noise was only to discover that the field had cleared of players. There was the sound of a brass fanfare, and the Coolsville Marching Comets took the field.

"Will you please rise for the playing of our national anthem, accompanied by the University of Coolsville Marching Comets," an announcer boomed over the loud speaker. The crowd rose accordingly and sang, followed by the alma mater Praise to our Hallowed Halls.

Oh come and raise your voices loud

To an alma mater strong and proud

With joyfulness we long to sing

And memories we long to bring

Praise to, praise to

Oh praise to our hallowed halls.

Praise to, praise to

Oh praise to our hallowed halls.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the University of Southern Ohio Generals!" the announcer said.

There was a spatter of applause as the navy and maroon clad players ran out on to the field.

"And now, put your hands together for your University of Coolsville Comets!"

A roar erupted from the home stands as the football players came out. Daphne, Velma, and Shaggy clapped along with the rest of the fans. The Comets won the coin toss and chose to receive. The teams took their places, and the Generals kicked off.

"Alright, let's go find our suspects," Daphne said, putting her bag on her shoulder and standing up.

"Wait, what?" Velma said, looking around. "Aren't we going to watch the game?"

"We've gotta go talk to the suspects. That's why we're here," Daphne said, leaning down so only Velma could hear her. "Shaggy, you and Scooby go find Michael and Jace. We'll find Dana and Kevin. Sound good?"

Shaggy shrugged, but stood up. He and Scooby took off down the stairs, heading north towards the main entrance. Velma stretched for a moment and then stood up. She followed Daphne back down the small set of stairs and behind the stands to where groups of students chatted. They wound their way through the sea of blue and yellow, Daphne scanning the crowd.

After a few minutes, she stopped suddenly, nearly causing Velma to walk into her.

"That's Dana Applebee," Daphne pointed at a tall girl near the back fence of the stadium. "Let's go see what she knows."

Daphne took a deep breath and continued forward.

"Dana, Dana Applebee right?" Daphne greeted jovially as she approached Dana.

"Oh, hello," Dana said slowly. "Uh, Daphne, right?"

"Yeah. It's been a while since we worked on that project together. That was... freshman year, yeah?"

"Uh, yeah. How have you...been, I guess?"

"Pretty good," Daphne smiled. "You excited for the game?"

"I would be, if people remembered that it was the rivalry game and actually made a big deal out of it like they're supposed to," Dana rolled her eyes.

"This is a rivalry game?" Velma asked, looking around.

"Yeah. The Southern Ohio Generals have always been our rivals. But since Danny died and we took that week off, we've totally ignored the true importance of the game."

"You... saw Danny the night he died right?" Daphne asked, frowning slightly. Dana's shoulders dropped, her face growing angry.

"Look. I'll tell you what I told the police: I didn't know it was Danny. I told them I thought it was him because it kind of looked like him, like the build was the same. But I didn't know it was him, and I didn't kill him either. Besides, why am I even telling you this? You're not detectives. You have no business asking about that. "

"I'm sorry," Daphne said, her voice growing defensive. "I had just read that you had seen him that day, and when you brought up his death-"

"He died. It was an accident. Don't go butting your nose in where it doesn't belong, okay?"

And with that, she stormed off and disappeared into the crowd. Daphne turned to Velma, her eyebrows raised as far as they'd go.

"Well she's certainly defensive."

"I know this might sound silly, but... would anyone get so riled up about a rivalry that they'd kill someone over it?"

Daphne bit her lip.

"It's possible. I mean, in this case, anything's possible. Are you thinking Dana did it, or someone else? Because she doesn't seem like she'd kill him over that, but she definitely seemed like-"

"No not her. Just... in general," Velma said, playing with the hem of her sweatshirt.

"Well, I'd like to talk to her more, but that clearly isn't going to happen," Daphne kicked at the ground. "I hope Shaggy and Scooby are having better luck."


They were having better luck than the girls, but not quite the way Daphne would have assumed.

Shaggy shoved hot dog after hot dog into his mouth. Scooby had his face deep in a large order of French fries. Onlookers marveled (or were disgusted by) the show. Shaggy returned to the concession twice before the cashier cut him off.

"Well, like I guess we've got to go talk to Michael now," Shaggy said almost sad. He gave the concession stand one last longing look, and then turned away to scan the crowd.

He had seen Michael O'Brien before. He was nearly as tall as Shaggy was, so he would be easy to spot in the crowd. Shaggy stretched for a moment, rubbed his very-full stomach, and plunged into the crowd. Scooby trotted along happily beside him.

"Uh, Michael?" Shaggy asked, as he came up on Michael from behind.

"Yeah?" Michael turned around. "Hey man! Good to see you, man. It's been too long."

"Uh, yeah, man," Shaggy said , nervously, returning Michael's hug. "How ya been, man?"

"Great, yeah, great. Uh, how you been, man? You were good friends with Danny right?"

"Uh, yeah. It's... it's not been great," Shaggy said, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck. "You knew him too right?"

"Yeah, but not as well as you. We haven't talked much since he shipped out back in high school. Same with you, man. But I've been thinking about you, since I heard he died. You know, I saw him that day. Well, I thought it was him, and it turned out it was," Michael nodded solemnly. "Damn shame. He was a good guy. But I saw him around 4:15pm. I know what you're probably thinking, but he died around 9. I couldn't have stopped it."

"Yeah, yeah I know," Shaggy nodded. "Well, I guess I'll catch up with you later then, man."

"Yeah, you too. Hey," Michael clapped Shaggy on the shoulder and turned back to his friends.

Shaggy gave him a weak smile and went back into the crowd. He came out at the other end, closer to the fence. He could see Velma and Daphne talking to a short guy with a buzz cut, who must be Kevin. From the looks of it, they weren't getting anywhere. Daphne's arms were crossed and Velma was paying as much attention to the ground as she was the the suspect in from of her.

"Well, on to the next one I guess Scoob," Shaggy said dejected. His stomach growled lougly. "But maybe we should get some more hotdogs first."

"Rah, rah. More rotdogs," Scooby said excitedly.

"Let's go to the other concession stand though," Shaggy thought aloud. "Well, I hope Fred is having better luck than any of us."


Fred was not having very good luck. They were reaching the end of the second quarter and the score was 14-3 Generals. To make matters worse, sweat was occluding his vision, and his sides were starting to get sore from the repeated tackles he was getting from both sides.

The center put the ball to the ground. Fred gulped, and call out the play. The ball was snapped, and Fred started looking back and forth around the field, searching desparately for open targets. Taking in a deep breath, he threw the ball as hard as he could towards a reciever to his left. To his relief, the reciever caught it. But the Southern Ohio tackle was ready, and the reciever barely took a step forward before he was on the grown and the whistle was blown.

"And now the Comets are on their fourth down," the announcer boomed over the loud speaker. "And it looks like the offense is coming in, so they have chosen to punt."

Fred followed the rest of the offensive line back to the sidelines, and tore of his helmet.

"JONES," a voice yelled over the roar of the stadium. "COME HERE."

Fred jogged over to Assistant Coach Waters.

"Did you see that tackle before you threw the ball?" Waters snapped.

"No, sir, I didn't," Fred admitted, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"I knew you didn't see it I just wanted to make sure that you knew you didn't see it. If you're calling the shots, then you gotta look for that. And we're all counting on you. The whole damn school is counting on me, you hear me? We gotta win this one, son, and if we don't, it's on your head. And I'll have your head. Do you hear me? I said do you hear me?!" Waters said, shouting the last few words.

"YES SIR," Fred shouted back.

"Good. Now get going."


"Who was that yelling at Fred?" Velma asked as she, Daphne, Shaggy, and Scooby went back to their seats in the stands as the first half ended.

"Like that's the Assistant Coach Paul Waters," Shaggy said. He sat down, and started handing out boxes of food from the concessions to the girls, Scooby, and anyone else nearby. "Like Danny told me he's a real ass."

"Fred has said something like that too. Says he's vying for the head coach's job and has a nasty temper."

"Like Danny once told me that Waters loves being right, and every time they lose a game he makes a big scene about how his calls would have been right all long and the head coach is costing them the games. But like he also has no problem telling the players that too. Doesn't like to be wrong that guy."

"Fred also told me that he is a good judge of which students would make good professional players. Fred said the last three players Waters identified got drafted in the first four rounds."

"And even though we didn't find any contracts or anything in the folders you brought us Shaggy, maybe your idea that he was signed to one isn't that far off," Velma stated. "And perhaps we should take a better look at his office later on. If Waters was so good at identifying players to go pro, Danny would have been a clear choice."

"What was his last game like?" Daphne asked Shaggy as the Marching Comets band took the field to play their show.

"Like, it was an away game. They played two away games in a row, so I watched it em both on TV. The last one would have been the 11th. It wasn't great. Wasn't as bad as the week before, but it wasn't anything good either."

"Would Waters make any money if he helped sign a player to a pro spot?" Daphne asked. Shaggy shrugged.

"Like I don't know. It's possible though."

"If Waters was trying to get Danny signed, with or without Danny's knowledge and then Danny played poorly, I bet the recruiters or whatever they're called wouldn't want him anymore. And if Waters could have made money from it..."

"Then that gives Waters a reason to kill Danny," Velma concluded.

"Like, we have to get back into that office tonight," Shaggy said seriously. He made a motion to stand up, but Daphne laid a hand on him.

"Let's just watch the rest of the game first. We can't do anything right now. We need Fred."

Shaggy considered this for a second, and then sat down again.


Time was ticking away, of that Fred was quite sure. Every time he looked up it seemed to move faster. Eight minutes in the third quarter... three minutes... thirty seconds... No one had scored, which was both good and bad; no more points lost, but no more points gained.

"We've got five minutes left in the fourth quarter, gentlemen," Head Coach Andrew Harris announced as he called the Comets' final timeout of the game. "We've gotta get some touchdowns. Jones, I'm counting on you. You gotta bring it, man. If you can't, I'll swap you out."

Fred nodded jerkily.

"Is that a yes to touchdowns or a yes to swapping you out?"

Fred considered. His arm was tired. His back was sore. He didn't have much left to give. But with Radomski benched, he knew the only person after him who could play quarterback was Darryl Huxley, a farmkid roughly the width of a cornstalk. The Southern Ohio tackles that had sacked Fred so many times would break Huxley in half."

"I can do it, sir," Fred said, forcing himself to sound confident. "I can get us some touchdowns."

And to his suprise (along with most of the crowd), he successfully threw a pass to an open receiver forty yards away who was able to get it clean and make his way into the end zone with little effort. Then the kicker not only got the extra point, but kicked a field goal on the next turnover.

The Comets turned over, then the Generals did. Back and forth, each team gaining only about twenty yards at a time, just to give it up on the opposition's next drive.

The score remained 14-13. Fred watched as the time went faster and faster until there were only twenty seconds to go. They had made no progress forward a flag had cost them an extra five yard, leaving them at third and fifteen.

Fred breathed deeply. He stood for a moment, taking in what could be the last play of the game. He exhaled, clearing his mind. He bent over, and called the play.

The ball was snapped. Fred searched for an open target. He saw one, one lonely reciever way back on the field. There was no way in hell Fred could make that pass. He wasn't good enough. But there was no other choice. Gripping the ball along the seams, he threw it hard.

"TOUCHDOWN COMETS. AND THAT'S THE GAME FOLKS. RIGHT DOWN TO THE LAST SECOND, NOT EVEN A CHANCE FOR THE EXTRA POINT. COMETS WIN 20-14 OVER THE SOUTHERN OHIO GENERALS. AND I'M SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO DID NOT SEE THIS ONE COMING."

Students rushed the field, the cheers and yells growing louder and louder. Soon the band joined in with the school fight song.

But Fred didn't care about them. He tore off his helmet, his head swiveling back and forth as the scanned the crowd for his friends. Who cared about the fans? Who cared about his parents, who he was sure were somewhere in the stands?

Finally he saw them. They were on the sidelines near the fifty yard lines. He had never been happier to see anyone in his life. Running as fast as he could, he acknowledged the slew of well-wishers and fans with brief nods. He didn't stop running until he was safely in Daphne's arms.

"You did it," she breathed as she hugged him. "You actually did it. I'm so proud of you."

Velma and Shaggy beamed as they watched the couple's embrace. Scooby was off running around the field, every so often sprinting back to the group to jump on someone before running off again.

After a solid minute of hugging, they broke apart, Daphne's sweater now splotchy with Fred's sweat.

"Shaggy," Fred said, turning to the tall kid. He offered a hand to Shaggy, who shook it. "I know I'm nowhere near as good as he was, but I hope I did Danny proud."

"Like man, you did Danny better than proud," Shaggy said. He gave Fred a hug, followed by another handshake. "Now all we have to do is catch the son of a bitch who killed him."