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“Well, folks, we have seen a completely different Pioneer team come onto the field in the second half. This has got to be one of the hardest-hitting games I have witnessed over my years of broadcasting. South Mountain has refused to quit, standing toe to toe with the number-one team in the state. However, Coach Bianchi is going to have to find a way to put points on the board, as the Pioneers still trail 21-0.

The Crusaders will have to punt again to begin this fourth quarter, after a spectacular defensive play by Emilio Cortez. Tyquan Carter is back deep to receive the punt, with Andy Green staggered further up the field.

Here is the punt, and it is a low one. It bounces at the twenty-five-yard line and is grabbed by Carter. Tyquan Carter starts up the field. Carter is at the thirty; he cuts to the thirty-five. Carter gets a huge block from Andy Green at the forty! Now he is at a full sprint up the sideline! Tyquan Carter is at the other forty, the thirty-five, the thirty! It’s going to be a foot race to the endzone!”

The vibration from the crowd reverberated under Gunner’s feet as he ran, full sprint, toward the endzone. Ty was already in Andy’s arms, and the entire team was screaming as one.

“That’s how you do it, Ty! That’s how you do it!” Emilio picked him up, throwing Ty into the lights.

“Ty!” Gunner finally got a chance to grab his best friend. “That’s you, Ty! That’s you!”

That patent Tyquan Carter smile lit up the field, and the noise from the PA announcer was quickly drowned out by the screaming of fans.

“They can’t stop us, G! They’re scared! Look at them!”

Gunner peered toward the other sideline, where the heads of a few players were now drooping.

I see it.

“We got this!” Ty had skipped away, shouting it over and over. “They ain’t no different than us!”

Andy, on the back bench, began shouting it now, too. A surge of cheers echoed from the cheerleaders and the student section.

Yeah.

The stadium was in a frenzy, and as Gunner joined his teammates, he got a thumbs-up from Peyton, who was immersed in the frantic celebration.

They are no different than us.

“For the first time all season, the Crusaders of Allegheny Prep have their starters in during the fourth quarter---and for good reason. This game has become a street brawl, hard hit after hard hit, and now, late in the final quarter, the Pioneers have the football. It will be third down on the forty-yard line, with only four minutes to go in this Pennsylvania State Championship. The Pioneers have shown a tremendous amount of heart and determination; however, if they are not able to score on this drive, that may be all she wrote for this game. ”

“What do you think?” Gunner glanced over at JT, who was peering across the field.

“I don’t know, G. That dude is tough. I mean, he is an All-American.”

Come on, JT!

Gunner grabbed his friend’s facemask.

“But he isn’t you, JT! And he’s just a football player.”

The noise of the stadium was rising with each passing minute, and it was becoming almost impossible for the entire huddle to hear his play calls.

“Look!” Gunner was shouting so his teammates could hear him. “That safety has been creeping up all night. He wants to end this game and make the big play. If he wants it,” Gunner slapped the shoulder pads of his offensive lineman in front of him, “then let’s make him earn it!”

It took a second, but JT slowly began to smile before he gave a slight nod.

You got this, JT!

“Hey, G!” Ty caught him right as they broke the huddle. “You sure this play is right? You sure you’re going to have enough time with those boys coming at you?”

Well.

Gunner shrugged and threw on the best grin he could. The massive lineman across the field dug in.

I really hope so.

“Here we go: Third down for the Pioneers, and Weston calls out the cadence. He takes the snap and is going to drop back to pass! Weston is immediately put under pressure from Bishop. He is going to have to move to his right side. Oh no, it looks like Weston is…Wow! What a block by Carter to spring Weston free! He’s going to set and look to throw one deep. Weston just gets it off before taking a huge hit from Ricardo Sampson! Jefferson Taylor is running step for step with All-American Riley Davis down the field. It is going to be a foot race to the ball!”

Gunner immediately felt all the air leave his lungs. A shooting pain traveled up the entire left side of his body as he was sandwiched between the ground and the gargantuan man who had just hit him.

Shit.

He tried to breathe, but his lungs refused to fill with air, his ears ringing loudly.

Deep breath---just try and relax.

Gunner finally rolled over, staring up into a black sky. Due to the blinding pillared lights, he could only see a few faint stars.

“G!” He could hear a voice, but it sounded like it was at the other end of a tunnel. “G!” His body was being picked up, Emilio staring him in the eyes. “Are you OK?”

No, I am not even close to being OK.

Gunner took a short breath, the ringing in his ears replaced with thunderous screams.

“What…what happened?” He could barely get the words out.

“He caught it, G! Look!”

JT was flying down the sideline with the ball still in hand. A massive group of his teammates were celebrating as he jumped into them.

“We scored?” Gunner tried to smile, but numbness had begun to take over the entire left side of his body.

“Yeah, G.” An anxious quiver entered Emilio’s voice. “We scored. ”

“…Jefferson Taylor just ran right by the All-American safety Riley Davis, and now this is only a one-score game at 21-14! Who would have thought this possible after the domination of the first half by the Crusaders, but now the Pioneers are one defensive stop away from having a chance to tie this ball game!”

“I need you to sit still, Gunner.”

This is like a damn tradition now!

The trainer was working gingerly on the padding under his shoulder pads. Unfortunately for Gunner, he was so used to it at this point that he could almost move in rhythm with the man.

“I can’t. It feels…forget it!” The trainer’s eyes widened at his shout. “I won’t be able to throw if you add more padding. Just take it all off.”

Based on the trainer’s reaction, Gunner was not going to get his request.

“G, are you OK?” Ty jogged over to him.

No, I AM NOT OK!

Gunner let out an audible groan as the trainer moved his hands under the shoulder pads again.

“G?” Ty sat next to him on the bench and grabbed his hand. “Come on, man, take my hand.”

The tears were coming fast, and Gunner squeezed so hard that Ty winced.

“To hell with it!” Gunner shot his head up toward the sky. The knives poked all over his left side. “It’s not helping anyway! Take it all out so I can make the throws I need to!”

The trainer’s eyes were locked on him, processing what Gunner had just requested .

“G. You can’t do that, man. You know you can’t do that!” Andy was supporting him from his other side now.

Will someone just listen to me?!

Ty started to remove the brace that held the padding. And while his best friend’s eyes seemed to not agree, his actions did set the trainer in motion to assist as well.

“AG!” Gunner gritted his teeth, trying to get the words out between gasps of pain. “I need you to take my spot-on defense. I’m useless on that side of the ball now.”

Andy started shaking his head just as Emilio arrived.

“You can do this, AG!”

Oh shit!

A deep stab of pain caused Gunner to slam his feet against the underside of the bench.

“And…and Emilio!” He used everything he had left to grab the facemask of the muscular linebacker. “You get me that damn football back!”

His voice cracked, and a headache from the constant jolts of pain forced him to close his eyes.

Please.

Gunner tensed every muscle. He popped up from the bench and slapped Andy’s shoulder pads.

“Gunner---”

“Just get me that damn football back!” he shouted as loud as he could.

“Third down for Whitworth and the Allegheny Prep Crusaders. They have moved the ball slowly down the field, and with time running down, the Pioneers need a stop. Whitworth takes the snap and looks to run around the right side. Whitworth is looking for space, but here comes Cortez and…WHAT A HIT! Cortez stopped him just short of the first down.

And, well, folks, look at this. After Cortez’s game-saving tackle, it appears that the Allegheny sideline is going to hesitate. They’re going to go for it on fourth down and go for the WIN! With one minute and twenty seconds remaining, and the Pioneers out of timeouts, two yards will bring home a state championship for Allegheny Prep.

Whitworth looks over the defense with the clock continuing to run. He takes the snap and is going to drop back to pass. He is under pressure from Cortez again! Whitworth moves to his left and throws to the sideline. He has a receiver working against Malcolm Bailey and…”

“Gunner!”

The pandemonium, the entire sideline exploding, told him all he needed to know.

Our ball.

Gunner tried to stand, but his legs were still weak.

Deep breath, Gunner, it’s your moment.

He inhaled, using every ounce of energy he had to push his Nike cleats into the turf.

“Gunner!” Coach Bianchi called again, shifting his visor violently. “The trainer just told me that you took off all the protective padding and that you may have re-injured that shoulder. I am not---”

“Coach.” He was fighting to force a smile. “Trust me.”

Please .

His coach’s shoulders dropped, and his eyes softened. While the rest of the stadium was in chaos, the two stood in complete silence.

Come on, Coach.

“Damnit.” Coach Bianchi exhaled and shook his head. “OK. Stay to your right, protect yourself, and remember that you have no timeouts. Fifty seconds on the clock.”

Gunner flashed a more genuine smile.

“This is your game now.” Coach Bianchi pulled him close. “Make the calls, and don’t forget, fifty seconds for the state championship!”

A push sent Gunner jogging out onto the field. His teammates had all gathered in a huddle, waiting for him.

Take your moment.

He slowed and stood in front of his offense, the sound of heavy breathing crystal clear through the thunderous screaming of the crowd.

“Gentlemen…” he said, forcing the word out between bursts of pain.

“G, are you---”

Gunner laid his hand on the top of Emilio’s helmet to cut him off.

“One drive, one last moment. Together.” He turned to each player before finally landing on Ty. “And I wouldn’t want to be in this moment with anyone else but you guys.” Ty nodded his head slowly, a grin on his face. “Gun right, 234 aces. We have no timeouts, so get out of bounds when you can and get right to the ball.”

He took one more look around, inhaling quickly to hide the tremor that was making its way up his body.

“This is our moment. The one we’ve been working toward since we were six years old.” The entire huddle exhaled as one. “Now, let’s go take it! ”

“Well, here we go. Gunner Weston, who just had his shoulder pads off in pain, will have to move his offense fifty yards against one of the greatest defenses we have ever seen in this state.

Weston comes to the line of scrimmage and stands in the shotgun. He calls out the cadence and takes the snap. He looks down the field and fires a pass to Andy Green! What a catch by Green, who takes the ball down to the Crusaders thirty-five-yard line!

The Pioneers have no timeouts, so they are going to hustle to the ball. Weston points out a new play using hand signals as the referee blows his whistle, the clock starting again. He takes the snap. Weston is put under pressure by Sampson but gets it dropped off to Carter! Tyquan Carter is now out in space. Carter runs to the twenty-five, now to the twenty. Carter is still on his feet and makes it down to the Crusaders twelve-yard line!

What a play by Carter, but he was not able to get out of bounds! The clock continues to run! Weston scrambles his team to the line of scrimmage. He calls out another play, but there is confusion! The clock is at ten and continues to run. Weston calls out the cadence. This will be the last play of regulation. Weston takes the snap and looks to throw. He is going to loft it to the back left of the endzone, looking for Green! Andy Green jumps and…”

Did he catch it?

Gunner froze, and the stadium came to a hush around him.

Come on, AG!

He took a step forward, staring intently at the referee, who was pulling Andy and the defender apart.

TOUCHDOWN !

He saw him raise his hands, followed by an eruption from the stands.

“Hell yeah, AG!” Ty yelled as he ran by him. “What a throw, G! What a damn throw!”

The opposing team was in shock, frozen in place. Ty and the rest of his teammates had run to find Andy.

Wow.

Gunner let out a sigh of relief. His heart was pumping fast, but the knives that had been stabbing him a few minutes earlier were now just a dull prick. He turned his gaze to the sky above and smiled. The sound of the crowd and his teammates overtook him as he let it all soak in.

Live your moment. Take your moment.

His smile widened as he turned to the sideline. He began a jog to his coach while holding up two fingers.

“What are you talking about, Gunner?” Coach Bianchi ran out to meet him. “We kick this extra point, and we can take this game to overtime.”

I hate overtime.

Gunner shook his head.

“No way, Coach!” The rest of his teammates had joined them. “I say we make them earn it!”

“Gunner…” His coach shook his head.

“Coach,” Ty jumped in, “G is right! This is our moment. Let us live it together.”

Coach Bianchi paused. He peered around at the rest of the team, who started to nod their heads in agreement.

“Well then.” A sly smile formed as he ripped the visor off his head. “Go take it, boys! ”

Hell yeah!

A surge of energy ran through Gunner. He pumped his fists and turned back to the field.

“Gunner, wait.” Coach Bianchi twisted him so they were eye to eye. “You call the play. You know the offense. This is your team.”

Me!?

“You earned this.” His coach leaned in close, pressing his forehead against Gunner’s helmet. “And I wouldn’t want any other quarterback out on the field for this play.”

Coach…

Everything stuttered around him. While Gunner’s heart was still pumping fast, his arms and legs felt strong. The knives were no longer jabbing at his shoulder, and the smile refused to leave his face.

He trusts me.

As they remained locked, Gunner could see a new look bloom in his coach’s eyes. The agonizing pain was gone, replaced by a warm look of contentment.

He really trusts me.

Sure, he trusted Gunner with this play, but this look meant more than that. He trusted him with so much more, and now Gunner finally understood.

“Well, Coach,” the other sideline was scrambling as the defense ran back on the field, “I’m really glad you didn’t listen to anyone else. I’m glad you took this job.”

Really glad.

“Go make it happen, Weston.” The final pat on the back sent Gunner onto the field. What had initially been a blistering surge of adrenaline had steadied to a warm tingle.

Moments.

As he finally settled by the ball, he scanned the sideline he had just come from. He found his sister, screaming and waving her pom poms with a joyous smile he had not seen on her face since their father had passed. He saw the student section cheering together with all the people from town, including Tony and Mr. Chen.

He found his mother, a large grin on her face as she clapped her hands together.

Family.

Finally, he found Hailey. She was staring directly at him, and he had that feeling in his stomach again.

We are all with you.

The referee’s whistle jerked Gunner’s attention back to the field. Ty and the rest of his teammates set into position and awaited his play.

“One more time, boys!” He started to signal the call with his hands. A head nod from each player meant they were ready to go.

Moments, Gunner.

He took one more deep breath and brought his hands to his mouth. He closed his eyes, expecting to see the image of his father.

And so will you.

Instead, his own words echoed in his head as Hailey’s face lit him up from within.

Back in August, he had no idea that the girl that ran past him would change his life forever. She would challenge him, make him see the monster he was becoming, and allow him to become the man that his father would have wanted him to be. He could finally feel what his coach was talking about. The strength that his father had seen.

I understand.

That strength brought a sense of calm and clarity as the entire stadium cheered around him. While this play may have been for the state championship, he already felt like he had won. The game was just that---a game. He had given everything he could, and whatever the result, he would wake up tomorrow and have another day. His life would go on, and when it did, he would have Hailey.

I finally understand.

He finally understood that feeling in his stomach.

This is the moment, Dad.

This feeling was different, and if he could’ve, he would have grabbed the PA announcer’s microphone and told everyone in the stadium.

I LOVE HAILEY BIANCHI!

“This is for the championship, Pioneer fans! Coach Bianchi is going to go for the win on this play. Weston calls out the cadence and looks over the defense. He takes the snap! Weston rolls to his right side. He has pressure from behind, but no one is open! Weston is going to be hit in the…NO! He spins away from Sampson and moves back to his left side. He is now being chased by Bishop! Weston is going to throw one into the endzone! He has Green backpedaling to the pylon. Andy Green extends his arms and…”