by Jim Andersen
CHAPTER 11
“WIN OR ELSE”
“I’ll be glad when this football season is over,” said Mrs. Andrews to her husband at the dinner table on Sunday, “All you ever think about is football - - football - - football. Do you realize that in church this morning you were drawing football plays during the sermon? I suppose you have another meeting this afternoon?”
“Yes, dear, we do have a meeting. We’re going over the films of the game and making plans for the game Friday against Elm Lane.”
“Thank goodness this is the last one. I can’t wait to have my husband back from the game again,” she sighed. Mrs. Andrews was a typical coach’s wife. She didn’t understand the game beyond knowing that the team with the most points won the game and teams scored touchdowns to get points. She realized that a lot of time was needed for coaches to plan and prepare for games, but what she didn’t like was to have Bob spend almost all of his time thinking about football.
The films showed about what was expected. The defense had played a very good game - - probably their best of the year. The offense looked so different in the second half from what it had been in the first half that it caused Mr. Miller to say, “It looks like two different teams.”
The coaches spotted several individual errors. They marked them down to show the boys involved so that they might correct their mistake next time.
“Anything new for this week?” asked Mr. Miller.
“Well, I think we’ll put in a new play with some real razzle-dazzle in it. I think something different is fun even if we never use it in a game.”
“Sounds good, what do you have in mind?”
“We line up in a ‘Flea-Flicker’ formation. The man-in-motion gets a quick pitch as he goes back. When he passes the quarterback, he slips it back to him and then he continues his sweep with the guard and fullback leading the way. Then the quarterback throws deep to the left end.”
“Do you think it’ll work?” quizzed the assistant.
“Certainly it will work. We’ve used it on the “B” squad and these boys handle the ball better than the sophomores.”
“By the way, speaking of left end how is Augie?” Mr. Miller asked about the boy who had been ill on the bus.
“He had it good yesterday. The doctor said it was only the flu, and most people are over it in twenty-four hours. They lose so much in the process, though, that it leaves them pretty weak,” Coach Andrews explained.
Monday, the absent list showed Augie still out of school and three regulars had also been reported absent. They included Joe, Fry and Guts. Calls to their homes were made. All of them seemed to have the flu symptoms. The flu epidemic threatened to wreck the team. Coach Andrews had visions of playing the game with a team half composed of reserves.
Practice was light on Monday. No new plays were introduced. It seemed wise to concentrate on the problem of the week – flu. Mr. Miller worked with the linemen who were there, while Mr. Andrews tried to correct some of the errors made by the backs. The practice was cut short and the boys were sent home early.
We want you to save your energy to fight off the flu bug,” Mr. Andrews explained.
Tuesday Coach was happy to see Augie Bent back at school, but when the absent list was sent out, the three regulars were still out and joined today by Don Lake, Wayne Cain and several reserves.
“This is terrible,” moaned Coach Andrews to Mr. Miller. “We get a chance to win the championship. Then, sickness hits us. I hate to look at the list.”
Practice was light again Tuesday. “If we can just hold our own until the fellows return, we’ll be satisfied,” the coach explained, “You fellows take care of yourself. We need all of you.”
Booster Club members occupied themselves at their last regular meeting by planning a football banquet for the team. This year it would be more than just a banquet, it would be a “Victory Banquet” for the new champions. In the minds of most of the fans there was no question that they would defeat the team who was in first place; and by defeating them, replace them on top. It was an accepted fact among the fans that the “Foxes” would do it.
Plans were made for the banquet including the dinner, the speaker, presenting award letters, and finally – the climax of the program – presenting the Booster Club’s “Most Valuable Player” trophy.
After the business had been completed, talk changed to the last game. “Why does it take so long for the team to get started?” asked one of the fans.
“Shall we say, we like to give the other team a chance? If they don’t take it, then we go to work.”
“Let’s not,” jested the questioner. “I’m serious. Why do you think it takes so long to get going?”
“I believe there are two reasons,” began the coach more slowly. It takes our quarterback some time to try different plays to see what plays will work best. We find which plays work; then we remember those to use when we need them. Along with that, many of our plays work from basic plays. We like to show them our basic stuff early and often; and, later, when we use variations, they aren’t expecting them. I hope that is clear,” he said to the questioner.
“The second reason we do better later in the game is because of our physical and mental conditioning. I really believe we have been in better shape than the other teams. Our kids run at least two miles at every practice. That’s a lot of running, but it pays off in the late stages of a game.
“And, I might add one more thing. We have some pretty good ball players. They have the ability, and they have the desire. What more could one ask? They may not be fast starters, but in this game it’s the score at the end that counts.”
“Would the team have done better with the Brown twins?” asked another questioner.
“No! At least I don’t think we would,” answered Mr. Andrews thoughtfully. “They had very fine ability, but the attitude they had handicapped them. There is a different attitude on the team now from what there was when they were there. These kids want to play. They’re willing to give up a few things to win.”
The questions drifted to the final game. Mr. Andrews explained how a win move the “Foxes” into first place. “We have won four, lost one and tied one. If we defeat Elm Lane they will have five wins and two losses. All of the other teams have lost at least two. We would be on top with five, one and one.”
“How do you figure the chances for Friday,” asked one person.
“We’ll win, of course!” answered one fan quickly.
“I wish I were that certain,” Mr. Andrews said. He wondered if he should tell them about the five regular players sick today with the flu. “No,” he thought, “that would sound like an alibi.”
“I think we’ll win,” he said cautiously. “Elm Lane is fast and has beaten most of the teams in the league, but they haven’t met our line, yet. On the strength of our defense, I believe we can win.”
“Do you have any surprises for this game?” asked another fan.
“We’ll see about that Friday. Come out to the game and see for yourself,” Coach Andrews said to the last questioner.
The club president took over to close the meeting. He ended with a short speech in the form of an order. “Thank you, Coach. We’ll see you next week at the Victory Banquet. I don’t like hedging on this business of IF we can win. You had better win, or you better not come?”
Mr. Andrews knew that the president’s threat had been meant to be funny, but somehow it carried a warning which was not welcome. The phrase kept coming back to him, “You had better win - - “. Coach Andrews was getting used to hearing this threat, but he didn’t like it.
Wednesday the flu situation let up somewhat. Guts was back in school. Fry and Joe Blaine were also there. Cain and Don Lake were still gone. Tony came to Mr. Andrews in the morning and said he thought he was getting it, too. The nurse sent him home giving Coach Andrews another worry. At this late date Tony probably would still be in bed Friday.
Wedne
sday was the first time that enough boys were present to have a scrimmage. Mr. Andrews kept the workout light, though, because those who had been sick were still weak; and those who hadn’t contacted the flu needed to keep their strength to fight it off.
Smitty ran at right halfback again, where he would probably play Friday. As usual, where Smitty was located would be a place for the oddities to occur.
Smitty was always a count ahead or a count behind the others. This was nothing new. The coaches had observed it often, and the officials had called it sometimes. For this game, his timing must be correct. Mr. Miller watched him each play to check his moves.
After noticing the same error several times, Mr. Miller approached Smitty and said, “Have you noticed that every member of the team goes on a different count from the one you start with? Doesn’t it bother you that everyone on the team is wrong, but you?”
“Well,” snapped back Smitty, “You’re the coach, why don’t you tell ‘em?”
Later, Smitty was playing defensive halfback while the reserves were running the “Falcons” pass patterns. Coach told Smitty to watch the bench for a signal to play close or further back from the line. “Sometimes we’ll give them a short pass but keep them from getting a long one,” Coach explained.
Smitty kept getting closer and closer to the line. Mr. Andrews began to signal him to move backward. When his signals were ignored he yelled,”Smitty, loosen up!” at the same time he motioned him to back up.
“Yeah - - O.K.” was the reply from the halfback but he didn’t move back.
Then Coach Andrews roared, “SMITTY, LOOSEN UP!”
The halfback looked annoyed at the interference from the coach, but he reacted this time.
He jumped up and down, flinging his arms loosely at his side. He looked much like a marionette puppet on a string. While moving in this manner he called, “I’m loose, Coach, look, I’m loose.”
This put a temporary halt to the practice because everyone was watching Smitty and doubled with laughter at his reply.
The team personnel were almost back to normal on Thursday. Only Tony was missing from the regular squad. The doctor had given him some medicine, and he was still in bed.
Practice on Thursday this late in the season was more to keep the routine than to learn new skills or new plays. Newspaper photographers were there to take pictures of the team and some of the stars for their papers. The yearbook photographer was there to take pictures of the team for the school yearbook. While the boys waited to have their pictures taken they began throwing and kicking the footballs around the field.
Joe Blaine, practicing his punts, kicked a high spiral over the head of the intended receiver. When it sailed over his head, Fry yelled, “heads up!” Most of the players looked up in time to see one of the funniest sights they had seen all year.
Jimmy Andersen, the team manager, had been lining the field. He was pouring the white marking compound from a sack into the hopper of the machine. The kicked ball landed squarely in the hopper spraying the white powder in every direction. Jimmy, of course, was covered with the fine white dust from head to toe. Fortunately, he had closed his eyes and was none the worse for the experience, but the boys who enjoyed the slapstick comedy still talk of the night when “Dead-eye Joe scared Jimmy white.”
The incident captured the attention of the team and served to take away some of the nervousness. After the pictures were taken, the team ran signal drills with ease and precision which pleased the coach.
When the big day came the sun shone brightly. The day was cool and dry. This pleased the “Foxes” because they wanted good weather for their runners.
Class work took second place in the minds of the F.H.S. students on the day they were calling “championship day.” The school was decorated with posters and streamers, and each student tried to wear the school colors of blue and white in some way.
A pep assembly was held before school was dismissed. School spirit ran high as everyone cheered loudly to encourage the team on their quest for the first championship in fifteen years.
Tony, who had not been in school that morning, surprised Coach Andrews at the pep meeting. The doctor had given him a clean bill of health and let him go to school in the afternoon. Coach called the doctor to hear from him whether he thought Tony could play. “He is weak, but he is alright,” the doctor told the coach over the phone, “If you want to play him, go ahead; but use him sparingly. He’s still weak.”
After school Tony asked Mr. Andrews, “Well, did Doc say it was O.K. to play?”
“Maybe, how do you feel?”
“Fine, can I play?” asked Tony.
“Dress with the team, and we’ll see if we can get you in,” Mr. Andrews said, still uncertain how much to count on his halfback.
Seriousness of purpose was evident while the boys were dressing for the big game. It was quite a contrast from the usual pre-game locker scenes. Tonight there was no horseplay, there was no joking, there was no yelling or shouting in the room. It seemed as if a funeral was about to begin. Talking was done almost in a whisper. Occasionally, one of the boys could not contain his thoughts and burst out with, “This is it gang. Win this and we’re in. This is one we gotta win.”
When the time came for the “Foxes” to take the field, they were ready, willing and anxious to take on the Elm Lane “Falcons.”
Elm Lane was one of the larger schools in the conference and football was the main part of their curriculum; at least, that was the way it seemed to the rest of the schools.
Year after year Elm Lane was fighting Doorland for the top spot in the league. The fans there expected the team to be in first place as a matter of course. The team didn’t disappoint their followers often.
Mr. Andrews was only interested in winning this game, but if the opportunity presented itself, he would probably let the “Foxes” run up a big score against this team. Whenever the “Falcons” could, they enjoyed pouring the touchdowns onto a hapless opponent. Sometimes their coach left his first team in until the score was 60 to 0, and the previous year he had trounced the Wilton team 77 to 0.
Needless to say, the “Falcon” coach was not popular among league coaches. At the same time, the other coaches respected his ability to field a team well grounded in the fundamentals of the game. They also respected his “bag of tricks.” His team could be expected to try anything in the line of plays or gimmicks.
The last game of the season promised to be very interesting. The Elm Lane – Foxville rivalry was being renewed with the league championship in the balance.
When the warm-up and preliminaries were over, the captains met with the officials in the center of the field. The visiting captain won the toss of the coin and chose to receive. The kick was made, and the game was underway.
Elm Lane realized early that they were playing against a good defense. In the first series of downs, they only gained two yards before they had to kick the ball back to the “Foxes”.
Joe huddled with his team to call the first plays. He said, “Let’s see where they are weak.” He didn’t seem to be as anxious to get a quick score as he was to find out the strengths and weaknesses of his opponents.
Smitty started the game at right halfback where Tony usually played. The spectators didn’t understand the coach’s reasoning. Singly and in groups they called out, “Tony - - Tony,” and “we want Tony.” They were trying to tell Mr. Andrews that he had forgotten to put his star backfield man into the game.
Joe soon found that the “Falcons” were covering outside plays very strongly. He began working the middle of the line and gained two first downs in a row. When they tightened up the center, he threw a pass but it was intercepted. The “Falcons” took the ball and began a drive of their own.
Thus, the game was a see-saw battle throughout the first quarter and most of the second. Both teams yielded some yardage, but neither team was able to sustain a scoring drive.
With
two minutes left in the first half, the referee blew his whistle and called, “timeout, White.” Joe Blaine wanted time to talk to the coach, and he had asked for the break in play.
Joe came over to the sidelines where his coach met him. “Now, Coach?” he asked, “Can I call it now?” Joe had been told not to use the reverse, but to save it until later in the game. Now, he felt it was time.
Coach Andrews thought immediately of the situation. Stalling for time, he asked, “What do you think?”
Joe was good at following directions given to him by the coach, but he was a gambler, too. He liked to try the open and spectacular whenever he had the approval to do so.
“I think they’re set up for it. We just made a first down up the middle. They’ll be looking for more in there. I think we could cut loose for a long one,” Joe pleaded confidently, “If only we had Tony in there.”
“If we had Tony in there I’d say go ahead. Let’s do this. I’ll send Tony in for a few plays. Run a right sweep first and have him watch what’s happening. Then run the wide reverse,” Coach gave the instructions. He added, “This better be good. If we flop on this, we may be losing our biggest chance.”
“Sure, Coach,” Joe answered as he began to run back to the team, “Don’t worry. We’ll make it.”
Thoughts quickly crossed the mind of Mr. Andrews. “Don’t worry,” Joe said. Did he know how many hours his coach had spent worrying this season? If the play worked, it would give them a halftime lead. That would help greatly. If it failed, it would be a psychological let down for the team at a time when they couldn’t afford a letdown.
Another idea crossed his mind: “You had better win . . .” the words of the president of the Booster Club.
“Tony,” called the coach looking down the bench, “Come here, Tony.”
“Yeah, Coach” replied Tony throwing off his big white bench coat as he responded to the coach’s call. “Can I go in now?”
“Yes, but listen, we’re going to run a sweep right. I want you to watch the way they cover the reverse. Then check the blocking with Guts so there’s no mistake. Then we try the reverse.”
“O.K.,” Tony said when he left to replace Smitty.
The crowd came alive when their favorite – number 5 – took to the field. When they raised their voices in approval, the visitors took notice. It sounded as if he had already scored the touchdown.
Gene carried the ball on the sweep to the right. Tony blocked, but he quickly looked over to the other side of the line to see who would be there when he ran the reverse.
The ball was carried to the 28 yard line where it was another first down. Foxville fans sensed that their team was on the move. They began chanting “First and ten do it again. First and ten do it again,” and some yelled, “We want a touchdown.”
“Falcons” fans realized that three first downs in a row were too much. They began urging their team to “Hold that line.”
In the huddle Tony told Guts, “The end came in fast and tried to catch Gene. The cornerback just held his ground. I can get by the end. You get the cornerback.”
“O.K. Kid,” said Guts, “I’ll get him - - you take off.”
Joe stood outside of the huddle and looked over the defense just as if he were sizing them up trying to decide what to call.
“Doesn’t he remember what play he is supposed to call?” mumbled Coach Andrews stamping his foot impatiently. “What’s he waiting for?”
“Take it easy, Bob,” said his assistant. “If they’re half as jumpy as you are, it’s bound to work.”
Joe called the play in the huddle, and then added, “If we’re going to lead at halftime, this one will have to do it.”
After the clap of hands to break the huddle, the team lined up to run the play. Fry took the ball on another sweep to the right, handed off to Tony who started parallel to the line of scrimmage. He had his eyes on the end that was going at top speed. Tony had an easy time sidestepping the fast charging end. Guts pulled out around the line where he surprised the cornerback with a beautiful block putting him flat on his back just as Tony rounded the corner.
“Nice block,” called Tony to Guts on his way past them out into the open. The remainder of the way it was a footrace between Tony and the defensive back. Tony won and crossed the goal line two steps ahead of the other back.
Twenty eight yards from the line of scrimmage probably took no longer than ten seconds. To the defensive players, fooled by such a “sucker play,” it probably seemed like ten hours.
Mr. Andrews was so relieved that his play had worked well, he laughed out loud. He pounded the backs of his players near him.
The school pep song was struck up by the band while the rest of the hometown fans shouted their appreciation. Cheerleaders forgot to lead the crowd. In their excitement they jumped up and down hugging each other while tears of joy streamed down their faces.
A score of 6 to 0 soon increased to 7 to 0 when Stan made the extra point. The score was still 7 to 0 at the halftime break.
Coach Andrews didn’t believe in pep talks at halftime. He used the time for resting and correcting mistakes. This time he yielded to the temptation of one last bit of oration.
“You fellows have been a fine group to work with this year. Whatever happens in the second half, I want you to know I am proud of you - - all of you - - and the job you have done.
“You are close to the championship, and you can win it all by winning this game tonight. Don’t let up now! Just think of the length of time since Foxville has had a championship. Think of all you have done this year to get this far. Think of all those laps you ran, and the exercises you did. Remember them? And remember how you hated them. Well, now you can make someone pay for it. Get out there and make that ‘Falcon’ team pay for all that work you did.”
The team burst from the locker room ready to tear the Elm Lane team to pieces.
In the other dressing room, the “Falcons” spent most of their time working out a way to get help on the reverses. When it was over, they had decided to move their defensive halfbacks apart and move one of their center linebackers back. The boys received a good lecture on the techniques to use when the next reverse was employed.
In the second half the “Flea Flicker” formation was used often. Each time it was set up, the “Falcons” moved to their 5-3-3 pattern and called to each other to “watch for the reverse.”
They were so cautious of the reverse, that all of the other plays worked better. Sweeps went for first downs, three plays in a row. The fourth time Tony faked a block and went downfield. He was all alone again as he caught the pass from Fry, who had stopped the fake sweep to throw the ball. Tony out-ran the defensive back the last 20 yards for his second touchdown.
Noisy spectators cut loose again. With the defense the “Foxes” had, the fans thought two touchdowns looked mighty good. They were ready to celebrate the victory early.
With another good kick by Stan, the score became 14 to 0.
“Two isn’t enough, Joe,” the coach said to his signal caller. “We need at least one more.”
“Think the reverse would go again?” Joe asked.
“Not the way they’re playing for it now. But, almost anything else will go. Let’s try a slant pass. Keep Fry in and shoot Tony down.”
When Foxville regained possession of the ball, it was on their own 27 yard line. Ahead by two touchdowns Foxville should have played it safe but Joe wasted no time putting the coach’s advice into effect. On the first play he called for the slant pass.
Probably the last play the defense expected was a pass, and that was the reason it was so successful.
The ends went straight down, then turned to the outside, leaving a wide open space. Into this space raced the “Mighty Mite” with his defensive man trailing behind him.
Joe threw a high, long pass which Tony spotted easily. Changing his direction slightly, he caught the ball without break
ing stride. Everyone on the field and in the stands witnessed the little back race the sixty yards to the end zone with three red and white “Falcons” players chasing him.
Tony had scored again. Fans along the field burst onto the field to pound Tony on the back while those in the stands yelled themselves hoarse.
When the rest of the team arrived at the end zone, they rescued Tony from his admirers. Tony hugged Joe while he said, “What a beautiful pass that was!”
“You did the work on it,” replied Joe modestly.
Then Tony walked slowly to the sidelines. He realized for the first time that he was all tired out. Coach shook his hand, helped him to the bench, and threw a coat over his shoulder.
“Nice going, Tony,” said Mr. Andrews. “Keep warm now. Your job is done.”
Stan missed the extra point on his third attempt of the evening, but the score was still a one sided 20 to 0.
Most of the loyal Foxville followers shouted for their team to pile up the score. Mr. Andrews felt that the lead was enough, and he began giving his tired players a rest. The last quarter witnessed a parade of players going in and out of the game. Mr. Andrews wanted to give everyone a chance to play in the final game of the season.
At the end of the game, a sea of fans poured onto the field to deliver their personal messages of congratulations. Coach Andrews went to mid-field to meet the Elm Lane coach.
The visiting coach was not happy. He blamed his loss on poor officiating. He complained about the noisy crowd which made it hard for his team to hear the signals. Finally he complained, “We had a couple of kids sick with the flu this week. Our practices weren’t good. That hurt us.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Mr. Andrews said. He thought, but didn’t say to the other coach, “We had a few sick too, eight regulars to be exact.”
That was about all the time the coaches had to discuss the game. The blue and white “Foxes” swarmed around their coaches, hoisted them to their shoulders and carried them back triumphantly to the dressing room. The coaches were transported to the showers where a last minute reprieve saved them from taking a shower with their clothes on.
The dressing room was about as noisy after the game as it was quiet before the contest. Mr. Andrews made the rounds of his players, shaking their hands and talking to each one personally before he left to talk with those outside of the locker room
Foxville had finally won the football championship.
