CHAPTER 10
Logan’s defensive line was really giving it their all for the whole second half. In fact, not a single Cyclone drive reached a first-down marker. When the referee blew the whistle for the two-minute warning, the Wildcats were up by ten points.
Logan watched his team march up the field from the bench. He clapped and hollered along with everyone else after every complete pass and every run.
Coach French walked over and patted Logan’s helmet. “You’ve really improved in this second half, Logan,” the coach said. “Maybe good enough for today’s MVP award. You must be warmed up.”
“Sort of,” Logan replied. “It was something Andrew said to me before the second half started. Kind of gave me my energy back.”
“Well, remind me to make him MVP, then,” the coach said with a laugh. “Keep up the good work out there. You’re doing great.”
* * *
In the end, the Wildcats won 24-7. And just like he’d said he would, after the game, Coach French named Logan the MVP of the game.
Logan finished showering and changing and was heading out of the locker room when Andrew walked up to him. The Wildcats quarterback, Carlos, was there too.
“You guys, we should go out and celebrate,” Andrew said. “Let’s go down to Paco’s and get some tacos and then catch a movie or something.”
“Definitely!” Carlos said. “Logan, I can’t remember the last time someone on the defensive squad got MVP.”
Logan smiled. “That sounds good,” he said as the three boys reached the parking lot. Then he spotted someone across the pavement.
“Hey, Scotty!” Logan called out.
His old friend from River City waved. Logan called him over.
“Why don’t you join us for some tacos,” Logan said. “And then maybe we can catch that new horror movie.”
Scotty looked from Logan to Carlos and to Andrew. “Um, sure,” Scotty said. “Okay.”
Andrew laughed. “Man, don’t worry,” he said. “We’re all just playing football. It doesn’t mean we have to hate each other.”
Logan nodded. “That’s right,” he said. “Which is why, even though I don’t hate you and the other guys on the Cyclones, we still beat you guys today.”
Carlos and Andrew cracked up laughing.
Scotty smiled. “Ha ha,” he said. “You’re just lucky you won’t have to face us again this season.”
The three Wildcats laughed at that too.
Logan looked around. On one side, he had an old friend from River City. On the other side, he had two new friends, from the Wildcats.
We all love football, he thought. And I’m starting to love my school.
As the sun went down behind the water tower, the four friends headed down the road to Taco Paco’s.