Chapter 7: Dismantling the Defense
The roar of the crowd still echoed through the stadium as Tom walked back to the sideline.
The first touchdown had shifted the momentum.
Before? Jefferson High looked like a team expecting to lose.
Now?
They saw a chance to win.
And Tom?
He wasn't here for a chance.
He was here to dominate.
Oakridge's Response
Across the field, Oakridge's coach was furious.
"This kid wasn't supposed to be good!" he yelled, slamming his clipboard.
Tom could see it—panic.
They had come in expecting an easy game.
But now?
They were adjusting.
The next drive, Oakridge came out running the ball hard, trying to overpower Jefferson's defense.
It worked—for a while.
They pushed into field goal range.
But on third down, Jefferson's defense finally held strong.
Field goal attempt.
Kick is up…
And it's wide left!
Jefferson's sideline exploded.
Still tied, 7-7.
Tom grabbed his helmet.
"Let's go," he said, jogging onto the field.
Time to take the lead.
Second Drive – GOAT Mode Activated
Tom lined up under center.
His Field General skill was still active, giving him an unfair advantage.
He read the defense like a book.
The safeties were playing deep, trying to prevent a long pass.
Fine.
"Set… HUT!"
Snap.
Tom took a three-step drop and fired a quick strike to his slot receiver.
8 yards.
Next play?
Same thing. Short pass, first down.
The Oakridge defense was getting frustrated.
They weren't used to this.
Before, Jefferson's offense had been a joke—easy to predict, easy to stop.
Now?
Tom was running it like a machine.
Short pass. First down.
Play-action fake. First down.
Hurry-up offense. First down.
They couldn't stop him.
The Deep Shot – A Statement Play
Tom stood at midfield, staring down Oakridge's defense.
They had adjusted.
They moved up, creeping closer to the line of scrimmage.
They were daring him to throw deep.
Tom smirked.
Big mistake.
He turned to his fastest receiver—Dion "Speedy" Martinez.
"Go route," Tom said.
Speedy's eyes widened. "You sure?"
Tom just nodded.
He stepped up to the line, scanning the defense one last time.
The safeties were creeping up.
Perfect.
"Set… HUT!"
Snap.
Tom dropped back, eyes locked on Speedy.
The cornerback bit on the fake, hesitating for just a second.
That was all Tom needed.
He reared back and launched it.
The ball soared through the air, a perfect spiral under the stadium lights.
Speedy turned on the jets, sprinting full speed.
The crowd held their breath—
The ball dropped right into his hands.
Speedy never broke stride.
Touchdown.
Jefferson 14, Oakridge 7.
Keller's Jealousy
On the sideline, Jason Keller sat with his arms crossed, fuming.
This was his team.
His spot.
And now?
A guy who couldn't even throw straight last week was suddenly looking like a damn superstar.
It didn't make sense.
And Keller hated it.
"Something's off," he muttered.
He watched Tom celebrating with his teammates.
No way this was real.
No way Tommy Bradfield was actually this good.
Keller clenched his fists.
If he couldn't win back his spot fairly…
Then maybe it was time to play dirty.
The Turning Point – A Cheap Shot
Oakridge got the ball back, but Jefferson's defense held strong.
They forced a three-and-out.
Tom walked onto the field again, ready to end the game.
One more touchdown would crush Oakridge's spirit.
But as he stepped up to the line—
Something felt off.
The linebacker across from him was eyeing him strangely.
Like he wasn't just playing defense.
Like he was hunting.
Tom called the snap—
And before he could even drop back,
BOOM!
A helmet-to-helmet hit blasted Tom from the side.
He went flying, crashing hard onto the turf.
The whistle blew.
Late hit.
Dirty hit.
The stadium erupted in boos.
Tom lay on his back, dazed, pain radiating through his ribs.
And on the sideline?
Keller just smirked.
End of Chapter 7