The Roar of the Crowd (6 page)

“Yeah.” Manny gave a small smile. “Couldn’t do it at the football game; had to find my own way.”

“That’s what it’s about,” Dad said. “You always have to find your own way.”

Manny shut the door to his room and sat on the bed, turning on the radio to a New York City rock station. Sal was downstairs with their parents, so Manny had more time to think.

After a while, he heard his mom calling from downstairs. He opened the door and said, “What?”

“You’ve got a visitor.”

“Send him up.” Manny sat back on his bed. He figured it was Donald, ready to gloat a little more about that tackle he’d made. He’d listen, but he was still in no mood for celebrating. Manny was glad for Donald, but he wasn’t quite over his jealousy.

But then there was a knock on the doorframe, and Anthony peered into the room. He was wearing his game jersey. Even without the pads, the jersey was stretched tight across his big body.

“Hey!” Manny said, getting to his feet in a hurry. “What are you doing here?”

Anthony shrugged and grinned. “I don’t know. You weren’t at McDonald’s with the team. Figured I should check up on you.”

“I wasn’t hungry.”

“I sure was.” Anthony laughed. “It killed me to see what everybody else was eating, though. First time I been there in months.” He grabbed his belly, which was smaller but still hefty. “Diet soda and no fries. I might as well live on lettuce.”

Manny laughed, too, but then he turned away. “I just didn’t feel like being there.”

“Why not?”

“Hardly felt like part of the team.”

“Ah, that’s crazy,” Anthony said. He wiped the corner of his mouth with a finger and looked at it. “Ketchup.” He grinned. “Manny, you put the pads on every day just like the rest of us. You work your butt off when you get the chance. You’re just as much a part of the team as I am.”

“Thanks. I don’t buy it, but that’s nice of you to say it.”

“Everybody was asking where you were tonight,” Anthony said. “I mean it. We all like you, Manny.”

At that moment Sal burst into the room and grabbed Anthony by the leg. “He sacks the big guy!” Sal yelled.

Anthony put his hands on Sal’s shoulders and rolled gently to the floor. “Oh, man!” Anthony said. “This guy is a monster!”

Anthony tickled Sal until he let go. Sal leaped to his feet. “You’re huge!” he said.

“I like food,” Anthony said. “My mom’s a heck of a cook.”

“So is my mom,” Sal said. “But I’m puny.”

“That don’t matter,” Anthony said. “You’ll grow. Now, what can we do to cheer up your brother here? What kind of game can we play?”

“Chutes and Ladders?” Sal asked. “That’s my favorite game.”

“Mine, too,” said Anthony, winking at Manny. “Set it up. I’ll kick your butt. Manny’s, too.”

“Yeah, set it up,” said Manny, patting Sal’s shoulder. “Let’s get this game under way. Let’s get things back to normal.”

M
anny stuck with football, of course, spending most of the practice time watching the others. After calisthenics and a series of drills each afternoon, the better players would scrimmage while a small group of subs gathered on the sideline, watching and waiting.

Another game came and went, with the Hornets squeaking out a 14–13 win at home. For the second straight game, Manny stayed on the sideline.

By Wednesday of the following week, the coaching staff seemed satisfied that the team was ready for another good performance. They’d be playing at Palisades, a few miles up the road, on Sunday afternoon. Palisades was 0–3, but Coach Reynolds made it clear during practice that this wouldn’t be an easy game.

Late in the day, one of the assistant coaches walked over to the sideline. “We’re almost done,” he said to the group that was kneeling there. “Let’s get you guys in for a few plays.” He counted them quickly. “Six of you.”

The coach set his hand on Donald’s shoulder. “Fullback.” He pointed to Manny. “Wing.” He sent another player in at tailback and told the three others to take spots on the defense.

“We’re playing offense?” Manny said.

“Yeah, why not?” the coach said. “No harm in trying something different.”

Coach Reynolds was calling the plays in the huddle, but DiMarco was still in at quarterback. “Hmmm, the mini-backfield,” Coach said. “Okay. We’ll keep it basic. Tailback off right tackle. Fullback, you lead the way. On three.”

“What do I do?” Manny asked.

“Block the middle linebacker. Let’s go.”

Manny lined up behind the tight end, listening to the signals. He’d never played offense before.

The ball was snapped and Manny shot into the defensive backfield, zeroing in on the linebacker. He lowered his shoulder into the defender’s ribs, churning with his feet as the running back slipped behind him. A 3-yard gain. Not bad.

“Your turn, Donald,” Coach said in the huddle. “We’ll go with a quick count, on one. Inside left tackle this time.”

Donald scooted ahead for about 4 yards, but the ball popped loose as a cornerback came up and hit him hard. Manny dove toward the ball, but big Anthony was on it, saving the ball for the offense.

“Crud,” Donald said as he peeled himself off the ground. He looked at his hands. “How could I lose that?”

“Gotta cover that ball up when you’re in the trenches,” Coach said. “Anthony saved you. We need two yards for a first down.” He looked around the huddle. “Let’s have some fun. Wingback.” He touched Manny’s shoulder. Manny felt a chill right down to his stomach. “At the snap, you come straight toward DiMarco for the pitch,” Coach said. “You follow him right over Anthony. They’ll move all those bodies out of the way for you. Let’s do it.”

Manny trotted over to his spot behind the end and stared straight ahead. He knew from playing defense that the linebackers would be watching the running backs’ eyes, hoping for a clue as to which way the play was going.

DiMarco called signals, then took the snap. Manny pivoted toward the backfield and saw the ball floating toward him. He grabbed it and followed the quarterback through the hole. Anthony had driven his opponent out of the way, and DiMarco was taking down the middle linebacker. Manny darted through the opening and saw a clear field ahead, but the hole was quickly filled by the safety.

Manny dodged left, then shifted back to the right, gripping the ball tightly to his chest with both arms. He was 5 yards past the line of scrimmage, now 10, and two defensive players were on him, bringing him down.

“Nice gain!” Coach shouted. “Great blocking up front.”

Manny set down the ball and pumped his fist. He jogged back to the huddle, and DiMarco smacked him on the shoulder. “Good job,” he said.

“All right, way to move the ball, Manny,” Coach said. “We’ve got time for a few more plays. Let’s see if we can get it into the end zone.”

He called another run for Donald. “Hold it tight,” he said.

This time Donald held on, but he managed to gain only a yard. The tailback carried twice for a few more yards, but they were still 30 yards from the end zone.

“Okay,” Coach said. “Final play, then we run a few laps and head for home. We’ll run a quarterback option, but we’re looking for a pass. Manny, I want you to do a ten-yard square out and watch for the ball.”

Manny nodded. At the snap he ran straight upfield, gave a little juke, and cut straight toward the sideline. He was wide open, but where was DiMarco? He could see a wave of defenders in the backfield, and suddenly Coach was blowing the whistle. DiMarco had been sacked.

Could have been a touchdown,
Manny thought.
Oh well, that was fun anyway.

Manny hadn’t had many chances, but he’d done some good things this season, at least in practice. There was the time he chased down DiMarco and stopped a touchdown, the pass interception, a terrific run with the ball this afternoon.

He was starting to feel like a football player again.

G
ame day. Sal sat on his bed with Manny’s helmet on his lap and watched his brother get into his pads and uniform.

“Do you think you’ll play today, Manny?” Sal asked.

“Maybe, Sal. You never know. This is a game we should win, so guys like me and Donald might get some playing time.”

“I hope so, Manny.”

“I hope so, too.”

Sal put the helmet on his own head. It covered his eyes.

“Not quite,” Manny said with a laugh. “Your head’s not fat enough, Sal.”

“I should make a sign that says
Let Manny Play!
” Sal said. “I’ll bring it to the game and make sure the coach sees it.”

“Don’t worry. If we play well today, I’ll probably get in. If we can get a nice lead, the coaches will empty the bench.”

Donald came by a few minutes later and they walked to the meeting area for the bus to Palisades. The day was cool and crisp, just right for football. Donald and Manny banged into each other all the way to the school, bumping their shoulder pads together and hearing the smack.

“I’m ready,” Donald said. “Boy, am I ready. Running back, defense, wherever he plays me, I’m gonna make an impact this afternoon.”

“Me, too,” Manny said. “No more fooling around.”

 

Coach Reynolds warned his team before the game not to take this opponent lightly. “They haven’t won yet, but they’ve been close in every game,” he said. “They’d like nothing more than to knock us off today. Let’s not let it happen.”

Hudson City took the opening kickoff for a short return and put the ball in play at its own 23-yard line. Coach had emphasized that the running game would be the key to this one, and they went right to work on it. Sure and steady, the Hornets drove up the field on a series of short runs, never breaking a long one but moving ahead. Fullback Jared Owen did much of the work.

DiMarco found Fiorelli for a nice gain over the middle, and then he scrambled around the end to get into Palisades’ territory.

“We’re moving the ball,” Donald said. “Looking good.”

Two more runs set up a first down at the Palisades’ 30. DiMarco called signals and dropped back to pass, getting good protection from his linemen. Fiorelli was a step ahead of his defender, angling toward the middle of the field. DiMarco’s pass was right on target, and Fiorelli hauled it in and sprinted into the end zone.

“Kickoff team, get out there!” the coach shouted after DiMarco had kicked the extra point.

Manny looked at Donald. Donald just frowned. He hadn’t played since that late kickoff in the second game.

Hudson City managed another touchdown toward the end of the second quarter, and the team trotted off the field with a 13–0 lead at the half.

“Excellent job,” Coach Reynolds said at halftime. “Our offense is eating up a lot of time with the running game, and our defense has shut them down nicely. If we play smart, this game will be ours.”

Manny looked intently at the coach. Maybe, if the team could get a couple of more scores, there’d be a chance for the second-stringers to play.

“We kick off to start the second half,” Coach said. “I think we’re ready to make a change. I’ve seen some good things in practice this week; some real improvements. Let’s go back to our original kickoff team—the one that started the season. You guys remember what to do.”

Manny pumped his fist and Donald smacked him on the arm.

“That’s us,” Donald said.

“No kidding,” Manny answered.

“Let’s kick some butt out there.”

Manny nodded and felt a surge of energy. But it was more than just energy—it was confidence. No way would he mess up this opportunity.

The team trotted back to the field, but Manny could hardly control his excitement. He and Donald started bumping their shoulders together again, and Manny leaped high into the air as they reached the sideline.

“Let’s crush ’em,” he said to Donald.

“Everything we’ve got.”

Manny looked up at the bleachers and saw Sal and his parents looking down. He gave a quick wave, then pointed at the field. Then he and Donald and nine other teammates ran onto the field, taking their places for the kickoff.

“Box and in,” Manny said to Donald.

“Just like old times.”

“No,” Manny said, “a thousand times better.”

Manny bounced in place a couple of times and stretched out his arms. Then he stood still as DiMarco got set to kick off.

As the kicker moved forward, Manny started to run, looking down the field to watch the flight of the ball. It soared through the air, coming down at about the 10-yard line, where the receiver caught it and started running.

Manny and Donald ran side by side, dodging blockers. The play was developing in the middle of the field, so Manny angled that way while Donald cut straight in from the sideline.

Hudson City players had converged on the play, slowing the ball carrier and forcing him toward the sideline. DiMarco had the runner in his grasp, and suddenly Manny was there, too, hitting him high and helping to bring him down.

Manny and DiMarco leaped up and slapped hands. “Nice hit,” DiMarco said.

“Felt great,” Manny said.

The impact had been sweet, with Manny’s speed and momentum being just enough to stop the runner’s progress. Donald put his arm around Manny’s shoulder as they trotted off the field. “Awesome work, buddy,” he said.

Coach Reynolds was clapping his hands as the kickoff team reached the sideline. “That’s how it’s done,” he said. “That’s the play we needed.”

An assistant coach came over and patted Manny’s helmet. “Good tackle,” he said.

Manny turned toward the bleachers. Sal was jumping up and down and his parents were smiling, waving at Manny. Manny raised a fist in the air, then turned to watch the game.

Palisades had a different strategy for the second half, tossing a succession of short, quick passes that left Hudson City momentarily surprised. Palisades crossed midfield and continued to drive, gaining 6 or 7 yards each play.