"Welcome to Dundee Field," the announcer's voice echoed. "Today's game is the Yorkdale Dragons versus the Wellsport Warriors." The spectators, family and friends of both teams, were ready to watch the game.
The Dragons won the coin toss and decided to receive the ball. Wellport's kicker, Eric Gonzalez, booted the ball to Yorkdale's kick returner. Yorkdale made a solid wall to block the Warriors. The returner made two players miss, then he galloped like a horse in the open field. He was not touched by the time he reached the endzone. He easily scored a touchdown. The Dragons made the extra point to take a 7-0 lead.
"Just wait until I get the ball," Ricky said, under his breath. He did not care that the Dragons were winning. He did not care if the Warriors won or lost. As long as he scored a few touchdowns, he was happy.
When Wellsport had the ball, they marched straight down the field. The team relied on Ricky. They gave him the ball three times in a row before he scored a touchdown.
He was thrilled with himself. He danced alone in the end zone. "Ha! Yeah! Look at me. I'm gonna be famous someday. You're gonna know the name Ricky Braun," he said, pointing at himself.
The referee, a man with gray hair, blew his whistle and threw a bright-yellow penalty flag. Ricky had broken the rules by boasting about himself. The penalty did not prevent Ricky's selfishness. He scored two more times in the first half. He still boasted and bragged each time he scored.
At halftime, Coach Daniels and Ricky's teammates were upset that he kept breaking the rules.
Dashawn Berry, Wellsport's quarterback, pulled Ricky aside. "Man, you have to stop doing that. You are so valuable to our team. You have scored all of our points, but you are hurting our defense," he said.
Dashawn was right. The Warriors were ahead 21-7 because of Ricky's talent.
However, each penalty gave the Dragons a better chance to score.
Coach Daniels called Ricky over. He said, "Remember you are part of a team. Be smart out there, buddy." Wellsport got the ball to start the second half.
The coaches began calling plays for other players. Dashawn threw the ball to Marcus Swan on first down for a sixteen-yard gain.
Next, Jerome Davis, the full back, got the ball three times in a row. The Dragons prevented him from getting a first down. The Warriors had to punt.
Ricky did not understand. He was used to getting the ball on almost every play. "Coach, why didn't you give me the ball? I can score every time I have my hands on it," he said.
"I know you can, Ricky. But there are other players on the team. They also deserve a chance to play. They have put their time and sweat into practicing, too. They have worked really hard."
His peers heard the entire conversation. They were getting fed up with Ricky's attitude.
"I don't need those fools," he said. He pointed his finger at his team. "I can beat the Dragons with no help. I can beat them alone."
His whole team stayed silent. They shook their heads in disagreement. They knew he was wrong.
The next time the Warriors got the ball, the coach called a play for Ricky. He took a pitch from Dashawn and broke one tackle. A player for Yorkdale finally brought Ricky to the ground.
A snapping sound, like a tree branch in a windstorm, echoed through the stadium.
No one said a word. Everyone was silent.
Everyone except for Ricky.