Page 97 of Scored

“I did. They were all kind.” I laughed. “Carl is not getting that trophy.”

Aunt Rachel smiled. “I hope you’re right.”

After dropping her off at her home, I headed to Crystal Light Stadium and a beehive of activity. The field was uncovered, the vendors were setting up their venues, and the equipment manager was testing the vital communications.

The Texans’ coaches and players arrived yesterday afternoon in Lexington. I’d been in contact with their equipment manager since the day after their win in Houston. Today’s game was scheduled for three p.m., the first of the two NFL championship games.

Texans vs Coopers.

Vikings vs Eagles.

The second game kicked off at six thirty p.m.

The gates to our parking lot were opening soon. The official time to allow fans to enter was eleven a.m. Despite the late January conditions, tailgating would soon be in full swing. While my talented director made last night an event to remember, our fans were the stars of tailgating. They would set up tents, cook on propane grills, blare music, and get themselves riled up for the game.

By one p.m. the doors to Crystal Light Stadium opened.

Being down on the sidelines, watching the pregame preparation, I felt the air fill with enthusiasm as the fans entered the stadium. Energy crackled through the air. Coopers amber filled the concourse and seats. There was the occasional red, white, and blue of the Texans paraphernalia, but the overwhelming color was amber.

I purposely wore the long straight amber skirt I wore during our last meeting with Houston. I couldn’t recall what I wore the first time the two teams played. We won our last game against the Texans. I wasn’t superstitious but wearing the same outfit was my way of recreating that victory.

An hour before the kickoff, both teams entered the field to warm up. From the sidelines I watched as Troy, Fin, and Josh threw repetitions to different receivers. While Fin told me about the new plays devised by our coaches, I hadn’t taken the time to learn them. There weren’t enough hours in a day as it was.

Despite me telling myself this was just another game, as the teams disappeared into the locker rooms, my pulse quickened. The stands were filled, amber as far as the eye could see. The Texans were the first to return to the field with minimal fanfare.

Goose bumps materialized beneath the sleeves of my blue-jean jacket as the overhead lights dimmed. AC/DC’s Thunderstruck reverberated through the stadium and fireworks blasted from the corners of Crystal Light.

The Big Hurt’s resounding voice echoed as he called our team. “Ladies and gentlemen, your Lexxx-ington Coopers.”

The crowd was on their feet.

I held tight to my clipboard as Fin jogged by me.

On the field, the giant American flag unfurled. Today’s holders were Coopers’ fans who competed through a lottery to have the honor. Two hundred winners held tight as our performer from last night sang the National Anthem. Fans removed hats and stood in silence as the song rang out through the air.

Three minutes before kickoff, Troy Dennison and Malik Johnson jogged across the field for the coin toss. They were met by the two captains of the Texans, Sam Anthony, their quarterback, and Dillon Decker, their cornerback and defense team captain.

The visiting team gets to call the coin flip.

Sam Anthony chose heads.

The crowd quieted as on the jumbotron, we watched the official toss the coin into the air. It landed. I exhaled. It was tails.

Step one.

Now time to play.

CHAPTER 39

Fin

Holt sent the ball downfield and into the end zone, a touchback. The Texans would have the ball on their own thirty-five-yard line. Sam Anthony, the Texan’s QB, came out strong but so was our defense. The Coopers shut down their long game. On third and six, their fullback broke through the defensive line, converting to their first first-down.

Each time the Texans’ offense went to the line, the Coopers’ fans were riotously loud. With the roof closed on Crystal Light Stadium, the roar was deafening. On Houston’s second run, third down, they were called for a false start. After the five-yard penalty, they were third and thirteen.

Anthony went with a no-huddle offense and sent the ball downfield. Tyler Wood tipped the ball. The crowd sighed as the ball landed on the ground. It was so close to an interception. Now Houston was at fourth and thirteen, still on their side of the field.

Time to punt.