Thursday evening, the final practice of Hell Week.
When Coach Bob blew the whistle signaling the end, everyone on the field collapsed as though the last bit of strength had been drained from them, leaving nothing but ragged gasps for breath.
Coach Bob walked to the center of the group, looking down at these boys on the verge of collapse.
“Tomorrow is the Week Zero game!”
“It’s also the season opener for our new season!”
He paused, then suddenly raised his voice and roared, “Can we win?!”
This week’s training had already squeezed every last drop of energy from the players.
But under Coach Bob’s oppressive gaze, everyone was afraid that if they didn’t answer loudly enough, he would make them continue extra practice.
So everyone squeezed out the last bit of strength from their bodies and, with hoarse voices, roared out that slogan already engraved in their bones.
“Hard work! No Fear! We Are Winners!!!”
Bob nodded in satisfaction, the tight lines on his face finally softening.
“Very good.” He finally let them go. “At tonight’s pre-game party, you can all relax.”
“But,” he changed tack, holding up two fingers, “remember two rules. First, no drinking. Second, absolutely do not take cheerleaders home!”
“Dismissed!”
In the locker room, Avery was one of the few players who still had the energy to joke around.
He was taking off his pads while elbowing Lin Wansheng beside him.
“Hey, you hear that?” He winked, a mischievous grin flashing across his face. “Coach means cheerleaders are off-limits, but he didn’t say Rally Girls are off the table either.”
Lin Wansheng glanced at him and said irritably, “I don’t have a Rally Girl yet, so don’t show off in front of me.”
“Come on,” Avery punched his shoulder. “At the school gate the other day, I saw you get into a gorgeous woman’s car with my own eyes. Seriously, there aren’t many girls at our school hotter than her.”
Lin Wansheng recalled Anna’s glamorous face and smiled. He said casually, “There are. Isn’t Coach’s eldest daughter one of them?”
The grin on Avery’s face grew even wider.
“Hey, buddy,” he said, looking at Lin Wansheng.
“She’s Coach’s daughter. You get that? That’s Coach’s absolute forbidden zone.”
…
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…
East River High’s pre-game party was held directly inside the school’s gymnasium.
Lin Wansheng followed Avery into this kind of occasion for the first time.
Rather than a party, it was more like a grand community rally.
Most of the attendees were East River High alumni.
Dressed in suits and spanning every industry, they greeted each other familiarly, chatting about their glory days.
In the crowd, the most eye-catching sight was a circle surrounded by people.
At the center of that circle were District Councilwoman Flora Houston and her husband, Tom Houston—the football team’s biggest sponsor, a wealthy owner of a chain of tire shops.
On Tom’s hand was an enormous New York State championship ring.
He had been the star quarterback of that legendary 1987 team, leading East River High to consecutive state championships.
And at this moment, the other focus of attention in this circle was Head Coach Bob.
“Bob,” Tom said, slapping the coach’s shoulder hard, his voice booming.
“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Remember, under the Friday night lights, you’re not just playing for yourselves—you’re playing for everyone in this community. We’re all behind you.”
Lin Wansheng followed Avery through the crowd when a girl with light golden hair and a sweet appearance walked quickly up to Avery.
“Your literature book report—I’ve finished it for you.” She handed Avery a folder.
Speaking softly, she said, “I even deliberately misspelled some words so it would look more like you wrote it yourself.”
“I’ll put the homework in your locker,” she said, looking up at Avery, her eyes full of adoration.
“Before the game tomorrow, I’ll make that kind of soft cookie you like best with lots of gummy candies inside, okay?”
After hearing this, Avery pulled the girl into his arms in satisfaction. He even gave her perky bottom a loud smack, laughing, “You’re really the best Rally Girl!”
Avery greeted every alumnus with practiced ease, accepting their chest bumps and embraces, erupting into bursts of laughter from time to time.
Lin Wansheng, however, was like a transparent outsider who had stumbled into the party, appearing somewhat bored.
He neither knew these suited alumni, nor did anyone show any interest in this new junior varsity player.
He simply grabbed a cup of Coke.
Leaning alone against the wall of honor in the corner, he stared blankly at the crowd.
Just then, he saw District Councilwoman Flora Houston holding a glass of red wine, her face carrying a trace of intoxication.
Walking straight toward Mark, who was surrounded by people.
When Mark saw her, he immediately released the blond cheerleading captain he had in his arms.
Councilwoman Flora directly pulled Mark aside from the crowd and began pre-game coaching.
“Mark.”
“You’ve practiced these plays all week. By now you should be able to execute them in your sleep with your eyes closed, right?”
Mark immediately straightened his posture, revealing that standard, impeccable smile. “Yes, ma’am!”
“Very good,” Flora nodded, but the questions came one after another.
“On the field, you won’t just think about relying on Avery to clear the way for you—you have to be willing to take hits yourself too, right?”
“Yes, ma’am!”
“You’re a very polite kid. Your parents raised you well. We all know that.”
“Yes, ma’am!” Mark answered instinctively.
“Cut that out!” Flora’s voice suddenly rose. She jabbed her finger at Mark’s chest and said sharply, “The field doesn’t need polite gentlemen! I need a beast! Do you understand?!”
…
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…
Friday night. Giant halogen lights illuminated East River High’s football field as bright as day.
For everyone at East River High, the season they had been anticipating the entire summer had finally, at this moment, officially begun.
The stands were packed to capacity, the din rising to the heavens.
With the referee’s whistle, the game began!
East River High received the ball first.
After the snap, Mark made an incredibly convincing fake, then tossed the ball from behind to running back Brian.
The instant Brian received the ball, he was like a switchblade that had snapped open!
He cut in from the left, his body pressed extremely low, like a bolt of lightning skimming across the turf. With ease, he used a cut to shake off the opponent’s first line of defense.
Immediately after, a tall linebacker lunged at him, attempting to bring him down with a low tackle.
Yet at the moment of contact, Brian explosively pushed off with both feet, his entire body leaping high, flying clean over that linebacker’s head!
Amidst the crowd’s gasps, he landed again and continued sprinting forward!
After rapidly advancing a full twenty-five yards, he was finally pushed out of bounds by the last safety, who gave his all.
“My god! What an incredible opening!” From the announcers’ booth, an excited voice rang out. “Brian used his speed and agility to tell everyone just how terrifying East River High’s offensive firepower is this year!”
The home fans in the stands completely erupted!
Second down. Mark’s face was filled with absolute determination.
“Our strongest left line!” He looked at his teammates, shouting loudly, “Everyone, man-to-man! Ready, Set, Hut!”
After the snap, Mark dropped back half a step and whipped his arm out like a cannon, precisely throwing the ball toward the newly promoted starting wide receiver, David.
However, perhaps because it was his first start in such a grand setting, David’s mind went completely blank. He ran the exact wrong route.
At the moment he caught the ball, he actually crashed head-on into his own team’s tight end!
“Bam!”
A dull thud, and the football slipped from his arms, bouncing high into the air!
“Fumble!”
A linebacker from the Cheetahs, like a beast that had smelled blood, snatched that still-bouncing football with keen eyes and quick hands before anyone else!
Turnover!
Nobody had even reacted yet!
At this moment, in front of the linebacker.
There was no one!