The cold, crisp air filled my bones as I laced up my cleats. It was the first football playoff game against Oak Hill. The Tripp football team had played them at the beginning of the year, but our team wasn’t mentally or physically ready, causing Tripp to lose 22-0. Now it was seven games later and a whole different day. We entered the field in our green jerseys, white pants, and yellow helmets. We sprinted to the 50 yard line to get the blood flowing. Then went to our stretching lines. Knowing this could be the last time out here on this field. Because if we lost, we were out off playoffs. Not one of us wanted to turn our gear in.

It was time to start the game. We had to kickoff first. Adrenaline flowed through my entire body rapidly. Before I knew it, we were in the defensive huddle with Josh calling the defensive formation, o’ rocket, o’ rocket. Oak Hill didn’t find the end zone on their first drive. Neither did we. The first half went by quickly. The game had shown that it had been a game of defense. Not much offense had been displayed. As a result, the score was 0-0 at the end of the first half.

I walked to the end zone for half-time. I didn’t know what was going to happen at this point. I could make something happen though. Coach really emphasized that we needed to get our offense going. With 20 seconds left on our break, we headed back to our sideline, ready to play football.

It was our turn to return the kick. The kicker sent a line drive that landed in between Tyson and I. Perfect, right to the two running backs. Me, me, me! I shouted. I scooped the ball up and looked for an open hole. I found it and dashed to it. I was in the clear, nobody in front of me. All Oak Hill saw was my dust and my number thirty seven. The 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, five Touchdown! The crowd erupted at that moment. What was a scoreless game went into a 6-0 game in just seconds.

We kicked off. They were driving the ball down field. The quarterback dropped back and released a wobbler in the air that fell in Tyson’s hands. Later he would score the touchdown. 16-0. With one minute left in the fourth quarter and no time-outs, they were in a hurry up offense. The ball came my way to the wide out I was covering, he was 6’11”. He over threw both of us and sailed right into the hands of Tyson, again. The clock hit zero. Tripp and Oak Hill shook hands and Tripp erupted into a huddle with everybody jumping up and down. Then it hit me. We were one step closer to the championship game.