CHAPTER 2

A NEW PLAN

Malik and Anton ran to the sideline. Coach Benson looked confused.

“What’s going on out there, boys?” the coach asked.

Anton waited to see if Malik was going to tell the coach what happened.

“Coach, I don’t think that’s the best play for us right now,” Malik said. “I think maybe we should run the option. That way, I can make something happen.”

“Malik, the play I called has a lot of options to it,” Coach Benson said. “The first option is to drop the ball to Anton. If he’s covered, you can throw to Jeff downfield.”

Malik crossed his arms.

“But Coach,” he said, “I know I can do this. Let me run the option, and I’ll get us the touchdown we need.”

Coach Benson frowned. Anton could tell he was angry.

“Malik, listen to me,” the coach said. “We’re going to run the play I called. The only way I want you to run with the ball is if everybody is covered. That’s your only option.”

Then Malik looked the coach right in the eye. “Okay, Coach,” Malik said. “We’ll do it your way. I got it.”

Anton and Malik headed back to the huddle.

On the way back, Anton saw Malik shoot a glance at the tall man on the sideline and give him a little wink.

The tall man waved back at Malik.

Once they reached the huddle, Malik quickly delivered the play call. “Okay, guys, here we go,” he said. “It’s 23 fake flat right, on two. Everybody make your blocks!”

The team broke the huddle and headed to the scrimmage line.

Malik moved in behind the center and started calling out the signals.

“Down! Set!” he yelled as the players got into position. “Hut! Hut!”

The center snapped the ball.

Malik faked the handoff to Anton, who turned and ran to the right side.

Malik hid the ball from defenders and dropped back into the pocket.

Anton looked back toward Malik, and saw him fake the long pass downfield.

The Dolphin defense was faked out. It worked!

Now Anton was all alone on the right. The play was setting up perfectly.

Malik looked at Anton.

The offensive line was holding off the big Dolphins defenders. Malik had plenty of time.

Malik faced Anton.

He raised his arm, cocked it back, and brought it forward.

Anton got ready to catch the pass.

But Malik didn’t release the ball.

Instead, he tucked it under his arm, turned, and headed toward the end zone.

“Yeah, Malik!” the tall man yelled from the sideline. “Go!”

Malik had some room on the left side, but not a lot. He ran the first five yards easily.

Then he faked out two Dolphins defenders and broke free near the 10-yard line.

From there, it was a race to the corner of the end zone.

Anton thought a Dolphins player was about to catch up to Malik. But Malik’s speed was too much for him.

He darted into the end zone, raising the ball above his head.

The Giants won. Most of the team ran over to Malik to celebrate.

But Anton stood still.