Chapter 12

BIG FINISH

Before the second half started, Robby gathered the rest of the linemen around him. “Okay, guys,” he said. “If we all do our jobs, we can beat this team. Let’s go out there and do it!”

Starting on their twelve-yard line, the Lions began to drive down the field. After each run, Robby smacked the ball carrier on the back and told him, “Nice run.”

Finally, the Lions had a fourth down on the Saints’ nineteen-yard line. James took the snap and pitched it to Andy. Andy started to the right. Then he saw a Saints’ player coming straight at him. There was no one to block him. Andy tried to stop, but he slipped. When Andy got his balance back, he turned left, running as fast as he could.

But the defender was on him, just a step away. Robby pushed away from the tackle and charged into the backfield. Just as the defender was about to reach Andy, Robby dove and hit the defender’s shoulder. Both players fell to the ground.

Now Andy was free. He strolled into the end zone easily.

Robby stood up to see Andy cross the goal line, raising his hands.

Robby had never felt anything like it. He had saved the play.

The game was tied 14–14. As the players reached the sideline, Robby went over to Andy. “Hey, nice escape,” Robby laughed.

Andy looked at him, not sure of what to say. Finally, he said, “Not bad, Samuels. Not bad.”

Robby knew it was Andy’s way of saying thanks.

With less than a minute to play, the Lions were back inside the Saints’ ten-yard line. A touchdown would win the game.

The players wanted to do anything just to get that zero off their record.

Coach Parker called the first-down play. It was a run for Andy.

Robby bent over the ball and snapped it to James. James turned and handed the ball to Andy.

A defensive player’s hand shot out and caught a piece of Andy’s sleeve, and another player slammed into him. “Ahhh!” Andy shouted. Then Robby saw it. The ball was falling to the ground. Without thinking, Robby dove for it. Players piled on, but Robby got there first. He felt the ball against his chest.

“I got it!” he yelled. “It’s still ours!”

When the officials got the players off the pile, Robby handed the ball to the referee. He turned back toward the huddle.

Andy held out his hand. Robby reached over and gave him five.

“Thanks, man,” Andy said.

“One more play to go,” Robby said.

Coach Parker called the twenty-two power drive play. Robby helped open a big hole, and Andy ran straight through it for the game-winning touchdown.

The Lions acted like they had won the championship. They jumped around, slapping hands and bumping chests.

Just then, Andy walked over to Robby. He had a big grin on his face, not the smirk Robby was used to seeing.

“Hey, Samuels,” Andy said. “Nice job. You saved my butt today.”

Robby couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“We’re a team,” Robby said. Robby held out his hand, and Andy gave him five.

Finally, Coach Parker gathered all the boys around him. “Well, boys,” he said. “We may not have won the championship, but we played like champions today!”

All the boys cheered.