Anton is smiling at me when I get back to the bench.
“You got us on the board,” he says. He seems like he wants back in the game, but Corbin has earned some plays. Coach doesn’t put Anton back in.
Right before halftime, Corbin stumbles and panics again. He tries to run with the ball, but Green knocks through our offensive line. When I go low to stop him, he leaps right over me and sacks Corbin. Bam! Corbin fumbles the ball and falls to the ground as the Titans pounce on it.
I look back over at Corbin. Ellison Green is on top of him. When he stands up, I see Green step on Corbin’s hand and lean into his cleat with all his weight. Corbin cries out in pain, and Green puts his arms up like he’s sorry. Like it was an accident. But I saw it all and I know better. I go after him, push him from behind, and another penalty gets called on me. Me! Nothing is called against him even though Corbin is writhing in pain on the field.
I argue with the referee. I point to Corbin’s hand, but the ref threatens to kick me out of the game. Coach benches me until I calm down. With a minute left on the clock, the Titans march down the field and kick a field goal.
At the end of the half we are down 17–7.