CHAPTER 6
The Cyclones’ drive up the field continued to go well. Logan tried hard to stop their forward motion. But every time he saw a guy from River City catching the ball, or running with it, he felt torn.
Why did this game have to be against River City? he asked himself. Why couldn’t we play against a different team, a team that wasn’t made up of my best friends? Trying to beat strangers would be way easier.
The Cyclones were lined up at the Wildcats’ thirty-yard line. It was third down. On this play, if the defense could stop them, the Cyclones would have their last chance for six points. It was up to the defense to keep them to three points at most.
“Hut!” the Cyclones quarterback shouted. “Hike!”
The Cyclones center snapped the ball. Logan watched the quarterback pull back. He faked the handoff to Scotty, who went out wide to the right. Logan saw the screen pass just before it happened. He sprinted through a hole in the line as the pass left the quarterback’s hand.
Then suddenly Logan felt worried. I can’t intercept a pass to Scotty, he thought. He’s my best friend!
Logan slowed down. He didn’t really mean to. It just happened. At the last second, he leaped for the ball, hoping everyone would see how hard he was trying. But he knew it was too late. The perfect pass sailed over his fingertips and Scotty caught it.
Logan sprawled out on the grass and lifted his head. He was just able to get to his feet in time to watch his old friend — and new rival — run into the end zone for six points.
River City would tie it up with the extra point. Logan knew he could have stopped them. But did he want to?