"I can't believe how cold it is out here; I'm freezing! It's only November for crying out loud!" Jane adjusted her gloved once more before wrapping her arms around herself.
"You know the drastic changes in temperatures we've been having, Jane. Besides, it's practically December. This is not really all that unexpected," replied Maura. "What I don't get is how the kids can play in weather like this."
"They're used to it Maur. They train in this weather. Besides, they keep plenty warm once they get to moving around and running around the field."
"I can't believe this day would ever come; our boy playing for his high school team!" Maura's eyes and voice filled with pride.
"I can't believe it either. Who would've thought that Leo would not only be leading the team in catches and touchdowns, but that our son was actually popular now?"
"You were right, Jane. Once sports kicked in then everything else followed suit. I'm so grateful to be able to see Leo so happy! I'm glad we decided to finally give in and let him have a chance at high school life. Our son seems to be enjoying every moment of it."
"He sure does amore. I'm happy for him too!"
The two proud parents joined the cheering crowd as Cambridge Academy ran through the paper banner and onto the field. The marching band played the now familiar fight song as the team quickly acknowledged the crowd and ran to the sideline. Once the national anthem and school songs were played, the coin toss result brought the Crusaders onto their home turf to return the kickoff for the first drive of the game.
Three quarters and 14 minutes 48 seconds later, the game tied at 28, the Crusaders once again had the ball at mid-field. It had been a tight game, with scores going back and forth between the teams. Jane had practically lost her voice after yelling at the refs for calls time and again with Maura nearly joining her for yelling in excitement each time their son caught a pass.
The teams lined up for a pass. Jane could see this was a play action fake with a possible long toss coming. Both women watched as Leo and the other team's defender ran along the sideline.
"Come on Leo you can do it!" yelled Jane.
"Go Leo GO!" yelled Maura.
The ball sailed high through the air. Leo came to a quick stop, the defender not able to stop in time with him as Leo made a fantastic catch. There were twelve yards to go. There was only one living soul between him and the end zone. Running a trick he'd practiced over the week time and again, he was able to sidestep and trick the defender into thinking he was going in the opposite direction. The other boy was too late to react, and wasn't able to tackle Leo until he'd made it two steps into the end zone for the touchdown as the play clock expired.
The home crowd exploded in cheer, knowing that play had won them the game. Chants of "Leo! Leo! Leo!" filled the stadium as the extra point was kicked. The home team ran over to their hero home wide receiver and lifted him onto their shoulders: they'd made the playoffs.
"That's our son!" Jane yelled with pride, smile from ear to ear.
"That's our son!" replied Maura, her smile mirroring her wife's.
I know this was a short one peeps; I just wanted you all to get an idea of what I had in mind for Leo and his sports role in school. One more chapter to bring this story to an end! Thanks for reading!
