Fred Bowen - The Final Cut

R yan Phillips looked around the small huddle of boys standing on the windswept field. It was late afternoon on a crisp autumn day. First down, he said. What should we do?

Eli Powell, the biggest kid in the group, shrugged his shoulders and didnt say anything. Miles DuBow shook his head and said, I dont know. I just dont want to be the hiker again.

Edward Zeke Zilkowski stepped into the middle of the huddle and took charge. Okay, he said. He used his finger to trace a football pattern on the front of Ryans sweatshirt. Ryan, youre going to go down about five steps, fake out to the sidelines, and go long. Ryan studied Zekes finger as it moved up his sweatshirt and nodded. He glanced over his shoulder. The four boys on the other team were waiting impatiently on the other side of the football. Ryan turned his attention back to the huddle.

Zeke looked up at Eli. Eli, you go down about seven steps and cut across the middle he started.

What about me? Miles interrupted, punching Zeke on the shoulder.

Miles, you hike and stay in to block.

Again? Miles protested. Ive hiked way more than Ryan and Eli put together.

Come on, youre our best hiker, Ryan pleaded.

But theres nothing to hiking, Miles complained.

Thats why youre so good at it, Zeke said, patting Miles on the back.

I dont see why were even playing football, Miles muttered. We should be practicing basketball.

Weve got plenty of time to play hoop, Ryan said. Come on. Lets play football.

The four boys lined up. Ryan looked across the scrimmage line and eyed his opponent, Dustin Henry. Zeke meanwhile kept his eyes on Dustins teammate Nathan Harmata.

Remember, you cant rush in before you count three Mississippi, Zeke called to Nathan, who was clearly ready to pounce on Zeke.

Just hike the ball, Nathan replied, locking eyes with Zeke.

Zeke barked out the signals: Ready, set, hut one hut two hut three.

Ryan broke into a run, and Nathan started counting. One Mississippi two.

On his fifth step, Ryan broke to his right, glanced back at Zeke, and then suddenly changed directions and started sprinting upfield.

Three Mississippi! Nathan yelled.

Zeke lofted a long pass toward Ryan, sending the football sailing into the clear October sky. Ryan dashed after it. As the ball started to fall ahead of him, he took a flying leap and stretched out his arms as far as he could. He felt the ball brush against his fingertips, then his body slammed against the dirt. When he looked up, the ball was bouncing awkwardly away. Incomplete! Dustin shouted.

Ryan clutched his aching side as he got to his feet.

Good try, Dustin said as he helped Ryan up. You had me beat.

Ryan trotted slowly back to the huddle.

Sorry, Zeke said. I threw that one a little too long.

I should have had it, Ryan said, still holding his side.

Youd better hike it this time, Zeke said to Ryan. Then he turned to Eli and Miles. Eli, you go down and do a buttonhook. Ill throw it high. Miles, you go down and out.

Finally, Miles said.

This time Zeke whistled a hard pass right to Eli, who grabbed the ball but was tagged before he could move an inch.

Good catch, big guy, Ryan said, clapping his hands.

Third down! Dustin called. You guys have two more downs left.

Tie game, right? Zeke asked as the teams moved up the field. Next touchdown wins.

Yeah, replied the boys on the other team as Ryan and his friends huddled again.

I can beat Dustin on a long pass, Ryan whispered to Zeke.

Okay, Zeke said. You run a long slant from the right side. Then, pointing to Eli, Zeke said, Eli, you cut across the middle from the left side in case Ryan doesnt get open.

Eli nodded.

I guess Im hiking again, Miles said, sounding annoyed.

Youre the best, Miles. Zeke smiled. What can I say?

Ryan lined up on the right side. He kept his feet straight and stared directly at Dustin. He was careful not to let his face or his position give Dustin any clues about the pattern.

Ready, set, hut one hut two.

Miles hiked the ball back straight and true.

One Mississippi two Mississippi.

Ryan ran straight for Dustin, who quickly braced himself for a collision. But at the last instant, Ryan angled to the middle of the field without breaking stride.

Three Mississippi!

Zeke let go a long pass, and Ryan took off after the speeding football. His legs were churning and his heart was pumping. He got to the ball in time, reached up, and grabbed it, but it popped out of his hands and tumbled end over end in the air. Ryan didnt miss a step. He stayed with it and the ball fell, spinning, right into his cradled arms. He raced into the end zone and raised the football high in triumph.

Zeke, Eli, and Miles raced down the field, celebrating and shouting as they ran.

Touchdown!

Great catch, Ryan!

Great throw, Zeke.

Smiling, Zeke turned to the other team. You want to play another game? he asked.

No, Dustin answered, shaking his head. Weve gotta get going.