An Old Friend

The Dons gathered around Coach Long on the practice field. Most of the JV players were still skipping out now their season was over, but a few more had shown up.

Everyone wore their pads, ready for the full-contact session ahead of them.

'You're doing great,' Coach Long said. 'Only one more week to go, then we've made State. We've just got one last hurdle.'

Ty listened, though he already knew who Coach Long was going to announce. It was obvious; everyone knew.

'This time we're going up against the Bears again.'

Even though it was just confirming what he already knew, adrenaline surged through Ty's veins.

'It's great we just overcame the Vikings. We've avenged one loss, now it's time to avenge the other. It's going to be tough, but we've already proved we can do it. So, we've got a lot to focus on. Let's get this show on the road. Defence and offence split up. Junior varsity members? I need you with the defence.'

The team split up and spread apart as Coach Long ordered. Then Coach Hoang ordered the defence to stretch wide along the field, paired up with a JV member where they could be, otherwise a second-stringer from the offence had to fill in.

Everyone had their own 3 yard wide space between two cones, like a corridor, though there was nothing marking how LONG the corridors were. The defender stood in the middle of this corridor, their partner at one end with a ball in their arms. There was only 6 yards between them.

'We're going up against Warren this week. You're all familiar with their game plan—they're gonna run the ball down our throats. We need to stop that. So of course, we're gonna do A LOT of tackling. If you can't bring down their bull of a Running Back, we won't win, simple as that.'

Ty stared ahead into the eyes of the JV member opposite him. Rabbit stared back. He trembled from head to toe, but he didn't blink.

Ty had been training for his rematch with Warren since he'd lost. Of course, Downey had been a distraction during that, shifting his focus away from stopping Denzel, to stopping Marshall … Ty was sure he'd prepared enough for Denzel.

Ty wasn't the only one who'd been waiting for this game. JJ had been right there with him, getting stronger in order to take down the king.

JJ didn't feel he'd done enough, not yet, but there was still just a little under a week left for him to close that final gap and reach Denzel's level.

'You're all familiar with this drill,' Coach Hoang said. 'Tacklers, stop your man—they get past you, you lose. Runners, get past the defender—step out of bounds, or hit the ground, you lose.'

He blew his whistle. Players rushed forward. Some runners burst ahead, fearless. Others hopped forward tentatively, watching for a reaction. Others stood still, bouncing on the spot.

Some defenders did the same, planted to their spot, waiting for their prey to come to them. Others took a step forward, closing the already small distance further. Then there were those who charged at their runner.

Most of the defenders came out on top, though some—like Zayden—lost. JJ wrapped his opponent in an inescapable hug and gently lowered them to the ground before helping them back up.

Meanwhile, Ty forced Rabbit out of their narrow space and claimed victory that way, though he didn't have to push Rabbit far to get him out, something which didn't sit right with him.

'Don't run away,' he snapped. 'You can't in this drill. You're gonna get hit, so don't be scared!'

'I-I'm not,' Rabbit responded, not making eye contact anymore.

Coach Hoang blew his whistle again once every duel had ended. 'Alright, reset. Everybody back up and to your positions.'

They ran through the drill again with the same matchups. Some results differed, most stayed the same even with different options being taken.

Rabbit, proving his fearlessness, lowered his shoulder into Ty's chest. The challenge caught Ty off-guard, and sent him back a step, before he dug his cleats into the turf and wrestled Rabbit down.

'That's better,' Ty said, 'but you aren't Denzel, so don't think you can run through people.' He pushed Rabbit down to push himself up.

Rabbit risked a glare. The look stayed as he got up and dusted himself off. 'Then what do you want me to do?!'

'Figure it out. You're not challenging enough, so you better get your shit together or this is all a waste of time.'

Coach Hoang's whistle pierced the air again. Everyone reset, and the drill continued. After the third round, Coach Hoang ordered the runners to swap around, and then it began once more. Rabbit didn't best Ty the third time either, though it was the closest he got.

Over and over, they ran through the same drill so that by the time it was over, each defender had gone through several runners.

When it was all said and done, only three defenders could say they had won every round: JJ—of course—Donte, and Ty. Rabbit was Deshaun's last challenger, and had beaten him twice.

'Alright, pick yourselves up and go get a drink,' Coach Hoang said. 'It's just a quick break, so don't get comfortable.'

Ty went straight to the bench along the sideline, though he saw a man he didn't recognise standing on the edge of the field. As Ty reached his bag, he saw Coach Haong go over and greet the man.

As the others came off the field, their focus was drawn to the man as well, the sideline abuzz with excited chatter as recognition flickered across the faces of the more senior members.

Ty frowned. The stranger reminded him of Ricky, whom was yet to show his face today. Ty hoped it'd stay that way.

A few minutes later, Coach Hoang called the defence over. The stranger—at least to Ty—was still by his side.

The man wore a warm smile. His eyes glittered with nostalgia as he looked at the field and the familiar faces. Soft, rosy cheeks gave him a boyish look along with his curly hair. His hard, muscled body contrasted, proof alone that he was a man despite his otherwise youthful appearance.

The excited chatter grew louder as the players crowded around Coach Hoang and this man.

'Calm down. There'll be time for catching up after training. Most of you already know, Jake. For those fresh faces that don't recognise him, you might've seen him if you pay attention to college football; he's a Running Back for the UCLA Bruins. But not that long ago he was a Don.'

Jake stepped up to those he didn't recognise, offering them a handshake. He eventually came to Ty and gripped his hand strongly. 'Hey, nice to meet you, brother.'

Ty nodded and shook his hand. Jake's grip reminded him of JJ, strong, but kind enough not to crush you.

He looked Jake over now that they were closer. It was hard to tell just how old he was, what with the difference between face and body, but physically he looked NFL ready … and yet, Denzel had been bigger. Just barely.

'Jake here has been kind enough to give us some of his time and help us with our preparation for the upcoming game,' Coach Hoang said.

'Coach Hoang tells me you boys are coming up against another big power runner. Said he was like me, which if that's the case, good luck guys,' Jake laughed, but no one laughed with him.

'Anyway,' Coach Hoang said, 'that's why Jake's here. He'll give us some real practice that'll be as close to the real thing as we can get. Let's line back up at the cones.'

The team all crowded around one set of cones this time. Just one corridor. Jake stood at one end and was given a ball and a spare helmet. He and Coach Hoang looked around at the wall of Dons.

'Who's stepping up first?' Coach Hoang asked.

Donte came forward, grinning. 'Yo, I'm Donte. I didn't have the pleasure of playing with you, but I'll be the first to take you down.'

Jake laughed. 'I like that confidence, Donte.'

'Uhh… d-doesn't he need p-pads?' Rabbit said.

'I think Donte's got enough protection,' Jake said.

Others laughed at this—Donte didn't. He hunched down in his stance, and Jake did the same.

'You think the Bruins will cut you after you get beat by a high school sophomore?' Donte asked.

Jake smirked. Coach Hoang blew his whistle. Both competitors charged forward. Donte lunged, and his arms wrapped around air. Jake spun around him like water rolling off a duck's back, and Donte crashed to the ground.

The surrounding players erupted in cheers as some pressed closer to Jake, congratulating him and hyping him up, whilst others moved to Donte, helping him up but reminding him just how badly he got beaten.

'Shit, he just snatched your ankles, YO,' Deshaun laughed. 'That's why you don't talk shit like a freshy, little Dee.'

Donte's cheeks darkened. 'Yo, don't call me that! Come on…'

'Can you do better, Dee?' Jake asked. 'Oh, am I supposed to call you big Dee, now? We know that ain't right.'

'Ohhhh!'

The crowd ooo'd and ahh'd again. Grins turned towards Deshaun this time.

He scowled at Jake. 'You gonna regret that, motherfucker.'

'Clear out, give them some space,' Coach Hoang ordered.

The other players backed off to the perimeter of the drill. The cones weren't necessary anymore. The spectators marked the boundary.

The air was heavy with anticipation as Deshaun and Jake got into their stances. Everyone awaited the whistle.

It blew, and Jake sprung forward. Deshaun went low, going for his legs, and Jake hurdled right over him.

Deshaun ate grass just like Donte had, and the spectators laughed and cheered hysterically.

Hands came out to offer Deshaun help up, but Deshaun ignored them and helped himself to his feet, brushing dirt and grass off aggressively.

'Nice try, Dee. But you gotta be less predictable,' Jake said. Deshaun only grumbled in response.

Ty watched silently. He wanted to step forward, to challenge Jake and shut his gaggle of fanboys up. Just because he was in college didn't mean shit. Before he stepped forward, summer memories came back to him, and he thought better of it. He stayed where he was, content to watch and learn from others' attempts.

Nobody else took Jake down either, no matter what they tried. If they shepherded him towards one edge of the narrow space, he'd juke them out of their boots and pass by along the other side.

If they went low, he'd hurdle over them like he had Deshaun, or he could spin away from them like Donte. If they met him head on, he'd barrel right through them or stiff-arm them into the dirt.

Then there was only Ty and JJ left to challenge him. Ty stepped forward first. He'd seen enough, and JJ wasn't moving an inch. You had to save the best for last, after all.

'Freshman or sophomore?' Jake asked.

'That's a freshy,' Deshaun said. 'A real prick, too. Don't hold back.'

Others chuckled, but Jake smiled. 'You got a name, freshy?'

'Tyrese Samuels.'

Recognition passed across Jake's face and his smile widened. 'Let's see what you got, Ty.'

Ty readied himself. Jake settled down. The whistle blew and Jake raced forward. Ty stepped up to meet him.

Ty had picked up some things from everyone's attempts. Jake was good, real good, that was obvious. But he was smart, disciplined. He always tried to do what was best in any situation, and while that meant he was flexible and had few tendencies to exploit, it might he could be predictable and guided into things.

Ty shifted towards the left. Jake started towards the opposite side of the corridor. When Ty over-corrected to his right, Jake pounced and went for the gap, just like Ty wanted. Ty sprung off his back foot and lunged for Jake, but his eyes weren't watching Jake's hips or chest, he was watching Jake's arm.

Now the arm would come into play, and at this angle, Jake would try to stiff-arm Ty and get by that way. Jake's hand hammered Ty's chest and beat him back, but Ty's arms snatched it. He pulled Jake with him, holding on tight.

That was when Jake surprised him. Instead of wrenching away from Ty's grip, Jake leaned into it. His hand came back to Ty's chest, but now there was a forearm and elbow behind it, and a shoulder behind them.

He shoved Ty down forcefully. Ty let go of the arm and tried to latch onto Jake's body now that it was closer, but the blowback from the shove was too strong, and Jake was already exploding away. Ty could only reach his leg.

He latched onto Jake's ankle like his life depended on it. Jake's legs kept pumping. He yanked himself free of Ty's grasp and rushed through the back of the crowd. More applause and cheers followed.

Ty turned over and punched the ground. A hand came in front of his face; it was JJ's. Ty took it and JJ pulled him to his feet. 'You did good, hermanito, better than anyone else.'

It didn't feel like Ty had down well. He grumbled but thanked JJ, then moved to the crowd, rubbing at his back. Trying to tackle Jake might not've felt like trying to tackle a bull, but it was pretty damn close.

Then there was one. Only JJ was left to challenge Jake. It was the matchup everyone had been waiting for. It coincided with the break for the offence, and even they gathered around to watch.

Not a breath was had as they watched the two line up.

Jake was serious. He didn't have any words of encouragement or playful taunts. He shut up and got ready. JJ did the same.

Silence blanketed the practice field as all eyes focused on JJ and Jake. Coach Hoang's whistle was like a gunshot.

Both JJ and Jake rushed forward, two freight trains on the same track. A collision was inevitable.

Jake shimmied left, then darted right—JJ jumped in front of him. He was unavoidable.

The two slammed into each other like a couple of sumo wrestlers. JJ's burly arms wrapped around Jake, and Jake drove his shoulder against JJ's. Jake's legs stamped at the ground, driving ever forward, but JJ held his ground and jerked Jake around.

Jake's legs kept pumping. Then one of them missed the ground and kicked through the air as JJ tilted him to the side. Jake tried to right himself, balancing on one leg, the other still kicking fruitlessly.

Then Jake was hopping, and then he was tumbling into the crowd, JJ carrying him off his feet and into the wall of bodies.

It had all happened so fast, Coach Hoang's whistle was still echoing across the field. There was stunned silence for a second longer. Then there was a celebration worthy of a coronation.