Cody gritted his teeth and made a decision. Only one player on the Lyle team had been openly praying for the team since the end of last season, one player who had believed this year’s outcome would be different from last year’s. They had time for maybe three or four plays, and running plays took the most time off the clock. Still, Cody sent the play into Arnie Hurley. Handoff to DeMetri Smith.
He put his hands on his knees, bent over, watching every detail of the play as it unfolded. But again as DeMetri took hold of the ball, he lost his grip and it dropped to the ground. He fell on it immediately so there was no turnover. But he could feel the frustration from the rest of the team along the sidelines. Even his coaches were looking at him like certainly he’d call a pass play next.
Cody did. And Arnie connected to Larry Sanders again, this time for twenty-six yards and a first down that stopped the clock. Arnie kept the ball for a three-yard gain and Cody used his last timeout. He hurried out to the huddle and he put his arm around the shoulders of his quarterback and running back. “You up to this, Smitty?” His eyes met DeMetri’s. “You can do it … but are you up to it?”
Around the huddle the other guys slapped DeMetri on the shoulder pads and grunted their approval, their belief in him. Slowly DeMetri nodded. “Yes, sir … I’m sorry.” He smacked his helmet a few times and shook his head. “I’ve been distracted and I’m sorry. I’m with you. I can do this.”
Herron would look for a pass, of course. With just six seconds left in the game, this was Lyle’s last chance, and they had seventy-two yards to cover. The outcome of the game depended on this play. Cody watched and suddenly it felt like the action was unfolding in slow motion. Arnie handed the ball to DeMetri but as he began to run he saw two Herron defenders coming at him. Even with Arnie leading the way, it looked like the play would go nowhere.
Then, in a move few kids had the athleticism to pull off, Arnie leveled both Herron players leaving a hole wide enough to drive a truck through. DeMetri didn’t wait. He burst through the opening and on the other side found nothing but open grass. DeMetri’s speed was breathtaking, and though no defender was close to catching him he ran for all he was worth.
The buzzer sounded as DeMetri crossed into the end zone and fell to one knee, his head bowed. Lyle won thirty-four to twenty-eight. The school’s first win in two years. Herron’s first loss to the Buckaroos ever. Cody glanced at the dark sky beyond the lights over the football field. Thank You, God. All You … Your way.
All around him the team was jumping and celebrating and pouring out onto the field to swarm around DeMetri. The fans responded the same way, breaking free from the bleachers and rushing onto the field to join the football players. “Let’s go celebrate!” He motioned to the other coaches and the three of them hurried out onto the field to take part in the win. Already the town had started a chant. “We are … Lyle … we are … Lyle.”
The celebration lasted another half hour on the field. DeMetri led the team and the townspeople in a prayer, thanking God for the ability to play beyond their best, and several of the players joined in. Larry Sanders held his little sister on his hip and the team filed past her, giving her high fives and understanding, the way all of them did, that wins and losses mattered little compared with doing their best. Most of the men worked their way over to Cody and shook his hand, congratulating him on the beginning of what looked to be the best season in years.
Coach Oliver found him too, his eyes full of peace and joy. “I couldn’t be happier for you.” He gazed at the guys still slapping each other on the backs, exchanging hugs, and posing for photos with their teammates. “They’re a different group of guys with you.” He nodded, again too emotional to say much. “I’m grateful God brought you to Lyle, Coleman. Very grateful.”
“Me too.” He shook the coach’s hand. “I’d love to talk sometime … about your war experience … the counseling you’re