Fred Bowen - Touchdown Trouble

S am Danza reached above his desk and grabbed his favorite book from the shelf. He flopped down on his bed, turned on his side, and propped himself up on one elbow. For a few seconds, he just smiled and stared down at the book. It was a red three-ring binder. The cover read: Cowboys Playbook.

Sam was twelve years old and the star running back for the Cowboys in the Woodside Football League. He loved studying his playbook.

Sam leaned over to turn on the lamp next to his bed and opened the book. The first page had a diagram of his favorite play, the I-34.

Lying back in his Cowboys shirt, Sam closed his eyes and imagined himself lining up behind Eddie Ching, his friend and the teams fullback. He saw Trey Johnson, the Cowboys quarterback, get the hike, turn, and slip the ball to him. With his eyes still closed, Sam imagined himself running with the football. He could feel the tacklers grabbing for his legs and feet as he pulled away, still running. He could hear the crunch of the players against each other. He could even smell the grass, sweat, and dirt.

Sam sat up and flipped through the pages to another play, the I-38. In that play Sam took the handoff and ran around the right end. Sam closed his eyes again and lay back on his pillow. He imagined Trey calling out the signals.

Ready set

Again he saw the Cowboys linemen getting into their three-point football stances in time with the signals. He felt the whole team ready to surge forward the moment Trey yelled Hut!

Just then Sams father knocked on the door and poked his head into the room. What are you doing, Sam?

Huh? Sam said, his eyes popping open. He was surprised to find himself in his bed, surrounded by football posters on the walls. Then he realized that his father was at the door. Oh, Im just studying the plays for tomorrows game against the Steelers, he said.

You already know those plays pretty well, Mr. Danza said. Youve played four games and you guys havent lost yet.

Yeah, I guess. But I dont want to be the one who messes things up.

Well, okay, but turn off your light soon, Mr. Danza said. You know your mom doesnt like you staying up late when youre with me.

Sam nodded. His parents were divorced, and he spent every Friday night during the football season at his dads house. Ill go to sleep in a little while, he said. I need to go over a few more plays.

Okay. See you in the morning. Sams father closed the door behind him.

Sam looked back at the binder and turned the page. His dad was right. Sam knew every play by heart. But he loved reliving the plays and games as he lay in the quiet darkness of his room, lit only by his small bedside lamp. He closed his eyes again and saw himself running with the football, leaving the tacklers in the dust. He heard the crowd cheering as he sprinted down the field.

Sam loved football. He loved being the Cowboys best running back, the guy everyone counted on to carry the ball and score touchdowns. But most of all, he loved that feeling he got when the Cowboys were all working togetherwhen they were pushing the other team back, gaining yardage on every play, and getting closer and closer to the end zone.

He closed the playbook and thought about the next days game. That was what he loved most about football: knowing that the Cowboys were really a team.