Foreword: Thank you for the feedback and encouragement. If any of my details about the college rodeo scene are incorrect, take it with a grain of salt and chalk it up to creative license. Still not to the sexual part of the story but there will be some glimpses in the next chapter.
Disclaimer: All characters are 18 years or older and there are no sexual situations among characters under 18.
Thankfully, I did remain concussion free after my unfortunate interaction with Zack. That's probably why he got off with a simple disorderly conduct charge rather than a felony assault. He was fined and had to do community service but they let him use the same volunteer hours that were part of his rodeo obligations, so he was only out $200 plus court costs.
I got back into the swing of practice. Now that I had almost mastered the playbook I went to my position coach and asked for help with film study. Coach Turner had played Division 1 ball and had been exposed to some of the best coaching in college football.
"Liam, you have to see the details. Sometimes you have to watch it frame by frame to catch something. Start by looking for anomalies. A player makes a weird motion or unusual pre-snap setup. Then watch how the play turns out. You have to become a student of human behavior. Everyone has a tell you just have to spot them."
We watched about 45 minutes of film with him pointing out things I hadn't noticed before. We had a conference game this week and I wanted to be a difference-maker again this week.
Delta State was a Mississippi school with some serious athletes. We couldn't afford to be out of position or try to catch them from behind because we couldn't. Our Tuesday practice was scorching but the focus was high and I thought we looked prepared. I grabbed a shower and headed for the cafeteria.
I had just sat down when Lauren approached my table, "Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all, I would love the company."
"What did you get? I couldn't find anything appetizing. Thank goodness for the endless supply of cereal."
"I grabbed the meatloaf. It's not like mom's but at least it's protein. At least I think it is and with enough extra ketchup it's neither dry nor flavorless." I smiled at her.
"Alicia mentioned that you guys didn't seem to have much to talk about the other night. You don't find her attractive or was it something else? Do you have a girlfriend back home?"
"She's a sweet girl but no I'm not really into her, and no I don't have a girlfriend."
"She's from Alabama too. I just think you guys might hit it off if you give her a shot. She thinks you're really cute. Would you mind if I gave her your number? By the way, you never called me so I didn't get your number."
"Sorry about that but I didn't want to cause any issues between you and Ty. I can send you a text if you actually want my number but I would prefer if you didn't give it to Alicia. I wouldn't want her to get the wrong idea."
"So, no shot for Alicia, huh?"
"No, I hope she finds someone but I don't think I'm her guy."
"Do you have a crush on someone else?"
"Look, Lauren, I don't play these kinds of games. I would like to like you but I won't let myself while you are pursuing a relationship with anyone else. Someone I love really messed up their life playing games like this one. I can be and would like to be your friend but I don't mess with people's relationships."
"I can respect that. Would it bother you for me to talk about Ty? I might need some advice from time to time."
"I'm always willing to talk and help a friend."
"Thanks, Liam, you're not what I expected from a football player."
I smirked, "I am not sure how to take that but I suppose I will treat it as a compliment. Are you and your friends coming to the game this weekend? First home game of the season."
"We went to homecoming last year. I suppose I can try and talk them into checking it out. Are y'all going to win?"
"If I knew who was going to win football games ahead of time then I would be a wealthy man of leisure. It looks like it will be an exciting game."
"All right, I will be there and I will try to drag a few others. Good night, Liam. And don't forget to text me your number."
"Good night, Lauren. I won't."
I don't know why NFL teams don't hire marching bands. Hearing our fight song as we run onto the field fires me up every time. I tried to soak everything in. This was my first home game as a college football player. I knew that Mom and both sets of grandparents were in the stands about halfway up on the 50-yard line behind our sideline. I was trying to play it cool and not turn around so I could wave at them like the foolish freshman that I am. I was just as interested to know if Lauren and her crew were in the student section.
Delta State won the toss and chose to receive, I guess they thought their offense was good enough to put points up right away. They had a mobile quarterback in the mold of Mahomes, so we opened in a 3-3-5 defense. We had never shown this package before and it kept the Mississippi team on their hills. The offensive line never where the extra rusher was coming from on any given play. That included me on a 3
rd
down with 7 to go. I came on a blitz from his blindside and the hit was hard enough to jar the ball loose from his hands. One of his linemen fell on it but not before they had lost 11 yards causing a punt. I was able to grab a peak at the stands and saw my grandpaw standing and pointing at me. I returned his salute and got ready for the post-drive huddle.
The offense was able to get into a rhythm but stalled out in the red zone. We settled for a field goal. This drive we switched into our standard 4 -3 so I would have to wait before getting back on the field. We were doing everything possible to keep them off balance because their offense was dangerous when it found its rhythm. After a first down the defense was able to get Delta into another 3
rd
and long. The nickel package was signaled in and I trotted back onto the field. We were trying to avoid man coverage because of the mobility of the QB, so we dropped into a cover 2 zone. The QB danced around but we were able to get a coverage sack when the right end, Jonathan Knox, was able to grab the sack.
The punt return put the offense in a great position and this time they came away with a touchdown. By the time the first half ended, we were up 13 - 0 and we had all the momentum. Our offense put another field goal and we were on our way to a rout.
The points deficit made the Delta State offense fall into a straight passing attack so I was on the field for most of the second half. Two minutes into the 4
th
quarter lightning struck and I scored my first college touchdown on a scoop and score fumble recovery. As I entered the endzone, I saw Lauren standing and shouting "Go, Liam!"
The touchdown put us up 25 - 0 and we cruised to a shutout victory. It was our best start in five years. We gathered near the student section to sing the fight song and celebrate with our peers. I saw that Lauren, Ty, Alicia, and 3 others I didn't really know were gathered in their West Alabama rodeo team shirts. I raised my helmet toward them acknowledging them and hopefully showing my appreciation.
By the time I made it back to my locker, I had messages waiting from my mom, grandfathers, and Lauren. My family wanted to know if we could grab dinner. Since it was an afternoon kickoff we could eat together and they would still have time to drive home. Lauren and the rodeo crew made a similar offer. I answered both with the same reply:
Sure if I can pick the place.
We ended up at Three Brothers, a Mexican place in town. As I approached the restaurant both groups started moving toward me. It was a little awkward to introduce my friends from the rodeo team when I didn't know three of their names but at least I had a friend group to introduce to my family.
We went inside and asked for a table for 12. We had to wait while they made room for us but soon we were seated and enjoying our meal.
Alicia was still after me and it made me a little uncomfortable in front of my mom. "Liam, you played incredible today! I have never enjoyed a football game so much. You looked hot out there in your uniform."
"Thanks, Alicia, the team really worked well together. I am excited to see how the season goes. How are y'all's practices going?"
"I almost beat Lauren the other day. If I can get on her level, I might be able to compete at nationals."
"Alicia, this is my family. My Grandmaw and Grandpaw Stanley, my Poppee and Gigi Franks, and my mom, Amy Stanley."
"It's nice to meet y'all. Could your dad not make it?"
Pain shot across my mom's face, "No Alicia, my dad passed away before I was born."
"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to..."
"It's okay, it happens from time to time" I assured her.
The conversation kind of dropped off after that as she was too embarrassed to say much else in front of my family. We spent about an hour at the restaurant and my grandfathers graciously split the check. As we strolled outside Alicia asked for a moment for a private conversation. I excused myself from my family and stepped over to where she was waiting.
