continued through the introduction of every boy on the team. When Cody’s name was announced, the crowd grew louder still. The mayor also welcomed two teachers — Mr. Schroeder and Mr. Braswell, both of whom would assist the Buckaroos this year.
When the team was lined up, facing the crowd, the mayor asked for another round of applause. Cody blinked, not quite believing the response. How had God been so good to bring him here and allow him to take over a team with so much love and support? He had a feeling that they could win one game this year and the town would be thrilled. Ready to welcome them back at the barbecue next summer.
“These boys leave tomorrow morning for camp,” the mayor told them, his voice rich with hope. The sun beat down on them, and sweat beaded up on the man’s bald head. He didn’t seem to mind. “So now I’d like everyone to bow their heads and join me in a prayer for our team. That they’ll find something special while they’re at camp.” He paused. “Something that’s been missing for a few years.”
That was as close as the mayor came to talking about the dismal winless seasons Lyle had recently suffered. Cody watched, mesmerized as the entire crowd quieted. Men and boys removed their baseball and cowboy hats, and everywhere he looked, families and small groups held hands as they bowed their heads. When the mayor was satisfied that the picnic crowd was ready, he began, his voice booming across the fairgrounds.
“Dear Lord, we bring to You our Lyle High football team, and we ask that You bless their efforts while they’re at camp.” His voice rang with unabashed sincerity. “This team is capable of much … and our town believes in them. Now, Father, we ask Your blessing not only on their time at camp, but on their season … May they dedicate every game to You out of gratitude for how You’ve blessed us all. And may Lyle’s season be so successful that people everywhere would know about us, and how at least here You still reign in small-town America.” The mayor’s prayer was as simple as it was profound. It was met with a roaring applause that was greater than anything yet that afternoon.
Cody felt a shiver of awe run down his spine. Did they know what they had here in Lyle? How out of the ordinary it was that a small-town mayor might rally his people to pray for the football team? The mayor was going on, talking about the upcoming season and how he hoped to see the stands packed for every game.
He caught himself gazing down the line at his team, the ragtag group of guys who hadn’t believed in themselves whatsoever until a few months ago. Yes, they struggled with grades and girls, and the sort of partying that had nearly destroyed Cody when he was that age. But one by one, Cody was meeting with the guys, talking to them, and confronting them with evidence and alternatives. For many of them he’d issued ultimatums: Quit partying … quit climbing through windows at girlfriends’ houses … get the grades up. Otherwise they would lose their place on the roster. And the guys were responding better than he’d imagined.
Dear God,… I’m not worthy of the challenge ahead, he prayed silently. But with You … with You all things are possible. So let us play for You this year … like the mayor said. And let everyone, everywhere know that where Your name is called upon, Your people can win battles they never should’ve won. Thank You, Father …
I am with you, son. You will do great things this year in My strength … watch and see …
Thank You, Father … if that’s You … thank You. Despite the muggy heat of the late afternoon, a chill ran through Cody again. He liked to think in moments like this that the voice he had heard in his heart was really that of the Lord. But it seemed hard to believe that he might take the Buckaroos from two winless seasons to anything truly noteworthy in his first year as head coach. A few wins, yes. A better attitude, of course. But great things? He tried to believe the possibility.
All around him people were crossing the field, coming up to him and the team. “Coach, … we’re pulling for you.” And, “This is your year, Coach.” Cody shook more hands than