At Berry
"I need to learn how to give a rallying speech." said Julian
Jess rounds up the student govs Jessica and Brandon. "Hey, you two... would you mind helping Julian make a speech to rally the football team?"
"Big pep talk, right? Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Jessica?" Brandon asked
"We'll study the great rallying speeches of all time! Sports movie marathon!" Jessica cheered
"You've got your Hoosiers. You've got your Remember the Titans. You've got your Varsity Blues!" said Brandon
"We'll take the best parts of all the speeches in those movies... then throw in a heartfelt comment or two..." said Jessica
"And BOOM goes the dynamite! The team will cheer their pants off! Time to get started. We're going to need two boxes of microwave popcorn, a notepad, and a Netflix account!" Brandon called
Jess gather popcorn, notepad and turns on Netflix. Six movies and thirty bowls of popcorn later.
"Wow... great ending. I can't believe the team pulled off that last-second victory!" Jessica cheered
"There was a last-second victory in all five of the previous movies! How can this possibly still shock you?!" Julian asked
"I'm easily surprised!" said Jessica
"So... do we have some good ideas for Julian's speech now?" Jess asked
"Are you kidding? I have three pages of notes on sports metaphors alone!" said Brandon
"Way to play, Brandon! You're in a league of your own! This is going to be a slam dunk!" said Jessica
"Let's not spike the ball yet, Jessica! We've still got to punch this one into the endzone!" said Brandon
"Uh... so could you guys help me work on this speech now?" Julian asked
"You got it, champ! It's game time!" Jessica cheered
Julian rehearses a speech based on Jessica and Brandon's notes. "We are Marshall... so let's remember the Titans... and shake off those varsity blues! Hmmm... it's not bad. But we probably need to change some of the names to be about OUR school."
"No problem! I'll just run a couple of find-and-replaces... and there we go!" said Jessica
"Okay... let's see here. Hearst High may take our football... but they'll never take our freedom!" said Julian
"I adapted that one from Braveheart!" said Brandon
"Way to think outside the box! Presidential-style fist bump!" said Jessica
"That's more like it! The speech is awesome!" Julian smiled
"I'll get everyone assembled in the cafeteria so you can rally the school... let's get EVERYONE excited!" said Jess
In the cafeteria, everyone assembles to hear Julian's speech.
"Thanks for being here, guys. I know everyone is busy, so I'll try to keep this short." Julian makes an impassioned speech, rallying the crowd. "We may have beaten Hearst before... but this time is different! They're back, and they're better than ever! We've grown together as a school, but that doesn't mean we can grow complacent! If we rest on our laurels, it's going to come back to haunt us! Hearst would love nothing more than to rub a loss in our faces!"
"Boo Hearst!" Everyone booed
"This game isn't just about football... it's about standing together!" said Julian
"Let's do this for Julian, everyone... and let's do this for each other!" said Jess
"Thanks, Jess! Now who's with us?"
The crowd cheers!
"Gooooo Julian! We'll beat them in our cheer-off. Then you can beat them in the game!" Chad cheers
"I know you can do it, Julian. That was an amazing speech!" Mia smiles
"I owe it all to the student govs... and to Jess, of course." Julian smiled
"Speaking of Jess... I could use a little help myself." said Mia
"What's up?" Jess asked
"First... we found out what the 'Mystery Prize' for winning the cheer-off against Hearst will be..." said Mia
"What is it?" Jess asked
"The winner will get to cheer at an actual pro football game!" Mia cheered
"Whoa! Now we've REALLY got to win!" said Jess
"I know! We have a really solid routine, an awesome soundtrack to go along with it, and the cheerleaders have never been in better shape! But there's still one last thing we need to do... got a minute to talk about it?" Mia asked
"Yeah! Catch up with you later, Julian!" Jess left with Mia
"We've got to give the routine that extra push if we're going to beat Hearst!" Mia leads Jess to the cheerleaders.
"So what's this one last thing?" Jess asked
"We've got to come up with a new end move. After what happened with Kara last time, I want something even more impressive than what we did at Cheer Camp, something completely new and unbeatable." Mia pointed
"Something that Kara can't steal!" Chad pointed
"Do you have something in mind?" Jess asked
"At Cheer Camp, our finishing move was tossing Amelia high into the air while she spun around... but you know what's better than tossing one cheerleader in the air."
"What?" Jess asked
"Tossing TWO!" Chad exclaimed
"I want Amelia and me to do my Flippin' Kicktwist at the same time! Of course, the timing has to be perfect, and it's not going to be easy, but...
"That's what practice is for?" Amelia smiled
"Exactly! Let's move cheerleaders!" Mia shouts
A little later...
"Okay, Amelia, we're close, but we're still not hitting the mark! Let's do it from the top!" Mia calls
"Amelia, don't forget that it's cartwheel, then pump your fist, then jump up, the fly!" Chad pointed
The music starts blasting through the speakers, and the cheerleading team performs the routine! Towards the end. Amelia cartwheel then pump her fist! Amelia pump her fist, then jump up onto the supports the cheerleaders have made for her! Amelia and Mia fly into the air simultaneously!
"Not too bad." Mia shrugged
"It looks great!" Chad smiles
Julian come up. "Good to see you, Jess."
"What are you doing here?" Mia glared
"It's time for practice. We need the field. Can you cheerleaders clear out?" Julian asked
"Actually, we can't. We need to keep practicing our routine with the new end move. It has to be perfect." Mia glared
"And WE don't have that much time before our game against Hearst. We need the field to run our plays and get the guys used to the patterns." Julian argued
"So you're just going to kick us off?" Mia argued back
"Well, you don't need the field to practice your routine. We DO."
Jess calms everyone down. "Hey, guys, it's not a big deal. Julian's right. The football team needs the full field to practice on. I'll find some space around here for the cheerleaders to practice... it'll work out."
"Fine." Mia grumbles
"I'll find more space for cheerleading practice!Here's the spot I found for us to practice in. What do you think?" Jess points out the spot
"This will be perfect! Now all we have to do is transport all the cheer equipment from the football field to here and box out the area we'll be performing in, so we know how much space we have to move around." Mia pointed
"And here I thought you liked the space..." said Jess
"What I said was that it WILL be perfect! Let's get started..." said Mia
"Actually..." said Jess
"You have somewhere to be?" Mia asked
"I wanted to check in on Julian and the football team."
"He should be pretty happy since he just kicked us off the football field..." Mia grumbled
"Well, it seems like he's been having a hard time lately. I'm concerned about him."
"Yeah, yeah, of course, go ahead. I can handle this."
Jess find Julian on the football field, where he watches as the other players run drills. "I'm here to help out with practice!"
"Good... because I'm not liking what I'm seeing. Half of the team is out of shape and the other half has forgotten the playbook! Listen maybe you could help me out. I've got to touch base with a lot of players, and I can't watch everyone at once." Julian sigh
"Sure thing! What should I do?" Jess asked
"Okay. First, if I call out Jeremiah make sure the players are running a crossing route, okay?" said Julian
"Got it." Jess nod
And if you see anyone eating a slice of pizza, slap it out of his hands! We're trying to get in game shape! Oh, and if Ezra looks lost, just make sure he sticks close to the other wide receivers!"
Practice begins...
"Jeremiah!" A few players looks around confused.
"Guys! Listen up! Run a crossing route!" Jess called
The players run a crossing route!
"Thanks for the help, Jess!" Daniel smiled
"Thanks for reminding them, Jess!" Julian smiled
As Jess walk to the bench, she spot a lineman eating a healthy-looking salad! The lineman eats his salad in peace. Jess hands out a bottle veggie smoothie "Way to eat healthy, a healthy athlete diet! Keep up the good work!" Julian flashes his thumb up
For the next few hours, practice continues...
"It's good that we're finally putting in a real practice... but will it be enough to beat Hearst?" Jess asked
As practice ends, Julian looks a little down.
"Everything okay?" Jess asked
"I don't know... we're definitely making progress." Julian frowned
"So what's the problem?" Jess asked
"It's just... I appreciate people showing up and all... but I'm worried it's too little, too late." said Julian
"I know we're not exactly a well-oiled football machine... but we DID win out last few games." said Jess
As Jess and Julian talk, their watch the team goofing around and flirting with some cheerleaders, who have stopped by to watch the practice.
"I wish there was a way I could get them to take this game more seriously." Julian frowned
"Sorry to interrupt, but I think I have a suggestion. The football team should dress up on the day of a big game! Wearing suits all day might keep them in a more serious frame of mind." Sierra suggested
"That sounds like a great idea!"
"Oh boy." Julian frowned
"Shopping, please you need a new outfit." Sierra squealed
"Alright you have a point Prep I could use a new Jersey."
The football team went to the mall Sierra picked out a new outfit wearing blazer, pant and new shiny shoes.
"How do I look?" Julian asked
Payton flashes a thumbs up. "Perfect new outfit new you. That's why I alway shop for shoes."
The next day, the football team arrives at school, and they're all wearing the same snappy suits!
"Look who's looking sharp! This guy!" Daniel smirked
"Yeah, really! I feel so good that I think we're going to crush today at the game!" Danny smirked
"Yeah! We rule!" Daniel smiled
"You all look super cute! This is my greatest fashion victory yet!" Payton squealed
"Good work, Payton! Everyone is so pumped... and smartly dressed!" Jess smiled
Thanks! Julian, what do you think?" Payton asked
"I think... we look like a real team. And everyone seems really into the game! Nice work, Payton!" Julian smiled
All throughout the school day, people notice the football team new clothes.
"Wow! What's with the fancy-pants outfits?" Sakura asked
"I think it's because there's a big game today the most important main event! Let's watch." Nishan pointed
"Must be pretty serious if they're getting so dressed up... maybe we should go." said Sakura
"Sounds like everyone's going... maybe I'll sneak in and watch a few plays." said Wes
That afternoon, the buses for the football and cheerleading teams arrive.
The bus is here! Football team, move your ass!" Julian shouted
"Cheerleaders, to me!" Mia called
Jess and her classmates pile into the bus, excited. A little while later, the buses pull up to Hearst High, and everyone make their to the football field where the stands are full of people.
"Who, it's packed!" Jess gasped
"Yeah... people really take their football seriously at Hearst High." said Julian
As the rest of the team heads into the locker room, Julian looks up, surveying the crowd.
"You doing okay?" Jess asked
"I'm fine... mostly." said Julian
"Mostly?" Jess asked
"Honestly, I'm just a little nervous about the scouts watching..." Julian shivers
"Don't be. What they're going to see is a good football player with great instincts. They'll see your talent, Julian. They have to."
"Thanks, Jess."
"I try. Now go get 'em!"
"Time to take down Hearst!"
The game begins!
"Okay, special teams! Time for kickoff! Let's get out there and punch them in the teeth!" Julian called
"Woo hoo! Here we go! We've got this in the bag!" Emily cheered
The football team makes the opening kickoff...
"Tackle, tackle, tackle! Get us the ball!" Julian glared
But everyone misses their tackles! Hearst returns the kickoff for a touchdown!
"Well... at least they get the ball now." Jess sighed
"Focus up, everyone! We can't let Hearst win this one!" Julian called
The first half only goes gets worse for you team... Hearst scores another touchdown in the first quarter.
"You're making this too easy on me, Julian. Are you the only one on your team who actually works out?" Max taunted
"This game isn't over yet!" Julian glared
"If you say so."
By the end of the first half, Hearst is up 21-0... but even worse, everyone is completely worn out!
"I forgot football was such hard work!" Emily huffed
"That's not the only thing you forgot! Can't anyone remember their routes?" Julian glared
"I guess I should have studied the playbook a little more..." Emily sighed
"Take it easy, Julian! Everyone's starting to panic!" Jess sighed
"This isn't looking good..." Daniel sighed
"Did someone say 'panic'? Don't panic. DON'T PANIC!" Emily panicked
"Everyone stop freaking out and start playing football! This game isn't over!" Julian glared
In the meantime, the cheerleaders watch sadly from the sideline.
"Our team is getting killed out there!" Sierra sighed
Mia announced. "Then we've only got one option... We've got to go out there and deliver the routine of our lives! Let's win this thing and inspire the team to victory! ...but this routine won't just be about them. It'll be about us! Finally beating Hearst once and for all!"
"Let's go show them what it really means to cheer!" Sierra cheered
"Let's rock this competition!" Mia leads rest of the cheerleading team out onto the field. Kara and the Hearst High squad meet you in the middle.
"Well, well, well... so you decided to show your lame faces, after all." Kara sneered
"We're not afraid of you, Kara." Chad glared
"Yeah, if you remember, we TIED at Cheer Camp!" Sierra glared
"Aww, Mia, still relying on your friends to defend your cheer squad? Some leader you are. Last time, we tied before we borrowed your lame move. I guess that's what we get for copying stuff from losers!" Kara taunted
"We're... we're not losers!" Mia glared
"Nice one, Mia. But you haven't convinced me. And it's going to take a lot more than some stupid end move to convince the judges this time. You're going down! Now get off the field, and watch the masters at work!"
Mia stalks off the field. "She makes me SO mad!"
"Well, we'll get even when we beat her team." said Amelia
"Yeah! Now come on, let's watch them!" said Sebastian
Hearst starts their performance! Cheerleaders in green and gold flip, twist, and dance with impressive coordination! The music lifts when the cheerleaders fly, and the entire routine ends with a standing pyramid while confetti streams down around them!
"Uh... that was good, wasn't it? It was really good!" Mia gasped
"But ours will be better... right?" Sierra asked
The cheerleading team starts the routine!
"One, and two, and three, and four! Cartwheel, round-off, handspring!" Sebastian called
"And right lunge! Split-lift!" Sierra called
Mia and the other cheerleaders tumble, cartwheel, and handspring to the delight of the crowd! The people in the stands applaud and clap in time to the music as the cheerleading team nails trick after trick!
"We're doing it! We're doing good!" Mia cheered
Amelia, Sierra, Chad and Sebastian are doing an awe-inspiring cheer routine!
As the rest of the cheer squad performs the end routine, Amelia and Mia set up for the final move!
"You know what to do?" Mia asked
"Let's do this! Let's beat Hearst... let's beat Kara!" Amelia cheered
The final notes of the song start playing. Simultaneously, Amelia and Mia cartwheel, pump her fists, jump onto their supports, and fly high into the air!
"Whoo hoo!" Amelia cheered
"Yeah!" Mia cheered
Jess and Mia execute impeccable synchronous kicktwists and land perfectly onto their squad's standing pyramid! The crowd goes wild, and the judges come up to congratulate you on your win!
"Yeah! We did it! We won!" Mia throws her arms around Jess, embracing her tight. "Thank you, Jess... for everything!" Mia smiled
"No worries Mia what are friends for." Jess smiled
"You won! You won!" Payton squealed
"I can't believe it... I can't believe it. Now we'll get to perform our routine at a real pro football game!" Mia cheered
"I wouldn't celebrate just yet." said Kara
Jess turn and find Kara passing by the cheerleading squad.
"A lot of people go to a pro game, and they'll be watching your dumb routine. You may have won today, but you're not pros. When you fall on your faces, I'm going to be there, laughing." Kara sneered
For a moment Mia looks afraid.
"It's okay, Mia. Don't listen to her." said Jess
"No. I'm done just taking her insults with a smile. It ends here. Right now!" Mia angrily walks over and gets right up in Kara's face. "You know what? My team's going to do just fine. There's nothing you can say to make me doubt that now. My team's good, and we work hard, and we'll do great. And for you and Hearst, I can't say the same. The only way you could even get here to go toe- touch-to-toe-touch with us was because you cheated. If I were you, I'd take a good long look at your own squad before you put down someone else's."
"I... what... huh?" Kara stuttered
Mia spins around and comes back to Jess
"Mia, that was... amazing!" Jess smiled
"Thanks. Now come on, cheerleaders, we have a football team who needs our support!" Mia called
A short time later, it's nearly time for the the second half. Jess and Mia find Julian down on the field.
"I know you can do it, Julian!" Mia cheered
"Heh. Thanks!" Julian shrugged. "That routine was amazing. Thanks to you, the fans are completely pumped up. We've got a lot of ground to make up... but we still have a whole half to play!"
Danny: "Then go out there and show Hearst what you've got!"
Julian: "We've still got a whole half to play!"
The team plays better in the second half, holding them scoreless.
"Looks like you guys drank you Gatorade at halftime... but you can't win if you can't score." Max sneered
"Just you wait..."
On the next play, Julian grabs the opposing running back, forcing a fumble!
"That's what I'm talking about!"
One of your linemen picks up the ball and runs it back for a touchdown!
"Okay... 7-21. The comeback begins.."
The game continues... Then, in the fourth quarter, Julian grabs an interception!
"Go, go, go!" Jess cheered
He runs it back for a touchdown... but only after taking a nasty-looking hit near the endzone! "Ouch.."
Gingerly, he walk back to the sideline. "That's how we do it! We can still win this"
"Just be careful... you took a pretty vicious hit." said Jess
"I'm... fine."
A few plays later, thanks to Julian's heroics, the team is only down 14-21 with ten seconds to go.
"Well, here we are, guys." Julian announced. "We've got fifty yards to go. All we can do now is chuck up a Hail Mary. Actually... I think I have a plan! You guys ready to win? Here's the plan... they're double-covering me downfield. That means Danny should only have one defender in coverage!"
"Right on! Just look for me in the endzone! I'll be open." said Danny
"I'll go in as a blocker... I'll make sure the QB has plenty of time to get it to you!" said Julian
"Just be careful out there... you were limping a little after that last hit you took." said Jess
Julian: "I'll be fine! Now let's go win this thing!"
The play starts, and DANNY runs toward the endzone… But Danny is moving slow! Thanks to weeks of less-than-perfect conditioning, Danny isn't in game-shape!With no targets downfield, the quarterback waits… and take a huge hit!
"Oh no!" Jess gasped
It's a fumble! The ball is loose! Julian scoops it up. "Time to run this into the endzone!" Julian charges forward, straight-arming defenders left and right!
"You're not gonna take me down that easily!" As Julian reaches the goal line, three Hearst players catch up to him!
"No!" Julian goes down under a pile of bodies!
"Oh no! Is he okay?" Jess gasped
Julian moans in agony as he looks up at the game clock, which has ticked down to zero! Hearst wins! The football team just lost a football game on the final play! This one is gonna sting for a while. An hour later, the cheers of the Hearst fans still echo in your head as you sit with Julian in the nurse's office.
"How's the leg?" Jess asked
"Not good… I'm not sure what hurts more. My knee, or losing to Hearst." said Julian
Just then, Mia and Autumn poke their heads in.
"Julian! Are you okay! I was so worried!" Autumn panicked
"I'll… I'll be fine. Eventually." Julian sighed
"Just don't hang your head! You played great out there! And look at it this way: our school is one and one against Hearst today!" said Mia
"That's great and all… and I'm glad you won the cheer competition. But this isn't just a game to me. You've got decent grades, and a family with money. You'll go to college no matter what. Football is my only shot! We keep losing… and I'll lose any chance at a decent future. Thanks to this injury, scouts won't even see me show my stuff in the playoffs!" With a pair of crutches from the nurse, Julian leaves, heading off down the hallway toward the locker room
"Let him go… he needs some time." Jess sighed
"I… I'll give him some space." Mia leaves as Jess and Autumn watch Julian crutch sadly down the hall… where you see Max intercept him!
"This isn't good! We've got to go help Julian!" said Jess
"Hurry! We have to make sure Max doesn't jump Julian!" Autumn exclaimed
The two of run down the hall toward Max and Julian. As Jess reach the locker room, you hear voices.
"What do you want, Max?" Julian glared
"I brought you here because I wanted to show you something…" said Max
Jess whisper to Autumn as you crouch behind some nearby lockers. "It looks like Max just wants to talk, not fight… we should probably let Julian handle this."
Jess and Autumn crouch behind a row of lockers, listening to Max and Julian's conversation in the Hearst locker room…
"And what exactly did you want to show me?" Julian glared
"This." Max gestures to an empty locker. "This used to be yours."
"So?" Julian asked
"No one's used it since you left. I haven't let them. Before, when you were here, we didn't appreciate you. A lot of that was on me. But look at you now… your talent is undeniable!" said Max
"What's your game, Max? Get to the point." Julian glared
"Things have changed here… I've changed. I don't mind sharing the spotlight with you. Not to mention my playing time. Lots of teams have two great running backs! What I'm trying to say is… you'll always have a place here. And if you come back, things will be different! You'll be a star!" said Max
"What is this? A trick? Some kind of joke?" Julian glared
Max sighed "No tricks. No jokes. I know I've been a jerk to you before. I let my competitiveness get the best of me sometimes. Call it a character flaw. But Hearst is in the playoffs now, and that same competitive spirit makes me want to win! I'll need all the help I can get! You're one of the best players I've ever taken the field with. Your leg will heal up soon, and when it does… we could use you."
"You… want me back?" Julian asked
"Big time." said Max
"My school's in the playoffs too. What makes you think I'd ever turn my back on my friends?" Julian asked
"You're loyal, I get that. I admire it. But let's say you stay there. What then? No college scouts will ever see a single play of yours. Your school's done a lot with a little, and that's great. But you just gave your all for them on the field, and look what that got you. A sound defeat and a bum leg. If you stay there, Julian… you're kissing college ball goodbye." Max pointed
"I don't believe you for a second." said Julian
Max: "Don't lie to yourself, Julian. It's time to face fact."
Julian takes a long, troubled look at his old locker.
"This is where you belong." Max leads a hobbling Julian back out of the locker room. They don't notice Jess and Autumn hiding around the corner. As their footsteps fade
"I can't believe it…" Autumn sighed
"Don't worry about it, Autumn. Julian won't leave our school for Hearst." said Jess
"You heard what Max said! You saw Julian's face! He was thinking about it! We can't let them trap him in their web again, Jess! But how can we stop them?" Autumn sighed
"Julian's worked his tail off for this school. It's time we return the favor." said Jess
