Gladiators of the Gridiron

Ty arrived at the school parking lot bright and early, too bright and early for most, but Ty had been thankful to end his sleepless night and leave his home behind.

He’d walked to school, leaving his bike in the “safety” of his front yard rather than unattended at the school bike rack. It meant he had to leave home earlier than normal, but again, that was a blessing.

The coaches were waiting, though Ty was one of the first players to arrive. Coach Long greeted him with a bright smile. ‘Varsity’s on the top deck, Tyrese. JV’s on the bottom.’

Ty looked at the double-decker that towered behind Coach Long. It was painfully green, with yellow stripes down either side, and larger than any bus he’d glimpsed. It was hideous, but impossible to block out.

Coach Norman stood by an open hatch on the side of the bus. Ty walked over to him, and placed his bag into the storage compartment.

‘Are you pumped up, Ty?’

He stopped and looked at him. ‘Always, Coach.’

‘You look like you had a rough night. Too nervous to sleep?’

Ty frowned. ‘Something like that.’

‘Try and get some rest on the bus if you can, you’ve only got an hour, but it’s better than nothing. We need you at your best today if we want any hope of winning.’

‘Don’t worry, we’ll win, I’ll make sure of it.’ Ty walked back to the front of the bus, heading up the steps to the first level. Bella sat at the front, and across the aisle sat Rabbit. Other than those two, the bus was empty. They’d been talking, though their conversation trailed off when Ty entered.

‘Good morning, Ty,’ Rabbit said.

Ty didn’t say anything, heading up to the next level.

‘I feel sorry for whoever gets stuck next to him,’ Bella said.

Ty hesitated before taking his next step. He shook his head and left it be. The top level of the double-decker was empty. Ty strolled over to the back of the bus and slumped down into one of the surprisingly soft seats.

He settled into a comfortable position and laid his head back. His eyes fell closed, images of the Dons’ victory and his domination in the upcoming game played on the back of his lids.

He heard more people arrive, more luggage loaded onto the bus. He heard and felt someone sit next to him. He opened his eyes and JJ was there.

‘Sorry, hermano, did I wake you?’

‘I wasn’t sleeping.’

‘You nervous?’

‘What’s there to be nervous about? We can’t lose.’

‘Man, I wish I had your confidence. Heh, even after four years, I’m still nervous before the big games.’

“Big game,” Ty thought. “If this is a big game to them … how will they handle the State championship, or Nationals?” Ty closed his eyes again.

‘You’re right though,’ JJ said. ‘Of course, we’re going to win. With our incredible family, there’s no way we can lose.’

‘Family…’ Ty muttered.

‘Hm?’

Ty’s eyes shot open. He stiffened as embarrassment took hold upon realising he’d said that out loud. He shook his head quickly. ‘Nothing.’

Thankfully, JJ didn’t push the issue. Soon, others arrived and the bus started to fill up.

Unfortunately for Ty, with JJ sitting next to him, it meant the second deck of the bus filled up from back to front with most everyone wanting to sit next to or around JJ. Luckily, while they were more than happy to greet and talk with JJ, most left Ty alone.

It didn’t take long for everyone to arrive. Once all the players were seated, the coaches climbed on. The driver needed to step out and unravel a ramp that was built into the floor to let Coach Hoang on.

Coach Long stood at the front of the first deck, and Ty heard him begin to address the JV players.

‘This is a big day for you boys. For a lot of you, it’s your first time here, you might be nervous and that’s okay. Those nerves are good, they’ll keep you sharp. Just remember, this isn’t the end of the world. There’s still more after this. This is just like any other game, I want you to learn from it, but most importantly, no matter what, have fun with it. I’m proud of you all, and even if the season ends here, it’s been a great year with you all.’

Ty heard one of the kids shout “Let’s get this dub!” before the lower level erupted into cheering. After a moment, Coach Long climbed to the second level and stood beside Coach Norman, who was seated closest to the stairs.

‘Now, you boys would’ve heard that just now, right?’

There were nods and grunts in response.

Coach Long smiled. He looked along each row then sighed. ‘The same goes for you boys. Don’t get too worked up about this game. You just need to play like you do every other week and I know you’ll be fine. You’re strong, stronger than you think.’ He folded his hands together, looking at them in thought. ‘…But, for some of you, this is our last ride, at least the start of our last ride.’

Ty noticed the shift from the seniors near him. JJ hunched forward in his seat, staring at Coach Long and listening like he was hearing a eulogy rather than an inspirational speech.

‘I hope this ride can last a while, because I’m not ready to say goodbye to you boys just yet. I look at a lot of faces in this bus, and I see a lot of fine young men, but I also see those boys I first met four years ago.’ Coach Long wiped his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. ‘I’m sorry.’ He gathered his composure with a breath. ‘You’ve all grown exceptionally, and I see some of you that still have growing to do … more than others. Lean on your seniors, learn from them as much as you can. I’m sorry I’ve never taken you beyond this point. In the four years I’ve been coaching most of you, I’ve never helped you past this stage. I hope that changes this year.’

‘We’re sorry too, Coach!’ JJ yelled. ‘We’ve let you down and never been able to get past Regionals even with an amazing coach like you.’

‘Yeah, couldn’t ask for a better one,’ Stephen added.

‘We won’t quit until you’re lifting that State trophy, Coach!’ Donte said.

Coach Long smiled, unable to hold back his tears as the praise washed over him. ‘Whatever happens today, and going forward, just know, that I’m proud of you, and nothing can change that. You’re all some of the most incredible boys I’ve had the pleasure of coaching.’

‘Thank you, Coach!’ JJ said. Other voices joined his call, and soon the whole team was chanting “Thank you, Coach!”, even Ty added his voice to the cry on one occasion.

Coach Long laughed, smiling so much it hurt his cheeks. ‘Alright, alright. Come on, let’s get this show on the road and win us a football game.’

‘Yeah!’

Coach Long descended the staircase and after he took his seat, the bus’s engine grunted to life, and pulled out of the parking lot, beginning the journey.

As the bus navigated the streets, then finally made it onto the highway where it comfortably cruised down the long, straight road, the players settled into their seats. Some chatted away with those next to and around them, others listened to music, a couple of them pulled out a handheld gaming device, or tapped away on their phone, fewer still read a book, and one even pulled out some schoolwork. Some drifted off to sleep pretty quickly, Jay chief among them, his hat sticking up from the front of the bus where he’d dropped into the first empty seat he saw.

Ty sat with his elbow resting on the windowsill, cheek on his fist, watching the world flash by.

‘We have to win this game and make it to State this year, hermanos, for Coach,’ JJ said.

‘I wanna do it for you guys,’ Donte said, turning around in his seat to face the back of the bus. ‘This is your guys’ last shot, and I’m not letting you leave without a championship.’

‘That would be good,’ Chris said. ‘I reckon we could do it this year.’

‘We better fuckin’ win this year,’ Deshaun said. He was facing the ceiling, eyes closed.

‘We give it our all, and no one can stop us,’ JJ said, grinning. He clasped his nearest brothers on the shoulder.

Ty looked over. ‘You’re all thinking too small. Who cares about State? Did you forget about the National tournament? That’s what we’re winning. I won’t let anyone stop me from being the best in the nation.’

‘This fuckin’ freshy, man.’ Deshaun shook his head.

Stephen scoffed. ‘Worry about winning your first real game before you get stuck in your dream of winning Nationals, pipsqueak.’

JJ grinned. ‘Hey, if that’s what Ty’s dream is, it’s our job as his hermanos mayores to make it a reality.’

‘Yeah. Why can’t we win Nationals?’ Benny said.

Deshaun laughed. ‘Fuck it, why not? We haven’t even made State before, but let’s win Nationals this year. It’ll be like they made it just for us.’

Ty smirked. “Of course, they made it just for me. Why else but to show off the best talent in the nation?”

* * *

The drive passed by in the blink of an eye. Ty watched as they pulled into the near-empty parking lot outside of the field. They were almost in the middle of nowhere, hardly another building in sight. The field itself was quite diminutive and simple, surrounded by short stands on every side. Dons banners were over the east and north stands, whilst banners for the Kaiser Cats were flying over the south and west.

The team filed off the bus bit by bit. Coach Long ushered the players off. ‘Go on, stretch your legs, have a drink, find a bathroom. I need the JV team in the locker room in fifteen minutes.’

When Ty grabbed his bag from the undercarriage, he turned and saw Bella waiting for him. ‘How ya feeling?’ she asked.

‘Fine. Shouldn’t you be worrying about how your JV team is going to lose?’ He walked past her towards the field.

She followed him. ‘Why are you worrying about them when you should be worrying about yourself?’

‘I’ve got nothing to worry about. I know I’m going to win.’

‘Ugh, as arrogant as ever. Don’t you ever get sick of that act?’

‘Who told you I was acting?’

A smile flickered across her lips. ‘Well, as long as that confidence makes you play better. I just wanted to say good luck.’

He stopped and looked back. ‘Thanks? … Why do you care so much all of a sudden?’

She pursed her lips. ‘I’ve always cared about the team!’

‘Then why aren’t you telling the team that?’

‘Is it so wrong to cheer on the most important member of the team?’

Ty was stunned. Of course, HE knew he was the most important member of the team. He was the best—not just on the team, but in the nation, after all—but to hear someone else finally admit it … he frowned. ‘Me? Not JJ?’

Bella looked across to JJ. He was amongst the JV players. They looked up at him like he was an unreachable idol, no doubt he was helping calm their nerves before—what would be for many of them—the biggest game they’ve ever played.

‘I don’t know if the team could function without JJ,’ Bella said. ‘…but JJ’s been here three times before, and he’s never gotten beyond this. You’re the one who can change that.’

Ty watched JJ. He wondered if JJ even cared about winning at all, let alone State or Nationals, if he did, it was probably because someone else wanted to win and JJ was the kind of guy who would do anything to help his friends achieve their goals. What was JJ’s dream? ‘…I will. I’ll make sure we win.’

Behind Bella, another bus pulled into the parking lot. This one was a double-decker as well but with a much duller red and white pattern. Ty watched as it rolled to a stop, then the enemy team emerged.

A group of four players got off the bus first, adorned in matching red tracksuits. A slim lightskin with a mop of dark brown hair led the group. Two rotund slabs of fat and muscle flanked him, and a tallish boy with downcast eyes followed at the back.

The leader’s dark eyes lit up as he spotted Ty and more importantly, Bella. He waltzed right over. The group stopped just a foot from Ty and Bella. ‘Hey, shawty, you a new cheerleader?’

‘Fuck off.’ Bella turned, walking off. ‘Come on, Ty.’

Ty stood his ground, eyeing the player at the back of the group. He knew that relaxed stance, the hunched shoulders. It was number seven, in the flesh. He grinned. Seven was plainer than he expected, taller too, but not overly so. His green eyes were nearly too dark to pick up, and heavily lidded. His head was shaved to almost bald, his face was smooth and bland, almost featureless. He looked average, but Ty could tell that tracksuit was hiding a powerful frame. He was bland on the outside, just like his game looked on the surface, but also just like his playstyle, Ty knew he was a cold-blooded killer within.

‘Ty?’ Bella tried to pull him away from the group but Ty wouldn’t budge.

‘You gonna let your bitch talk for you? What are you looking at, freak?’ The leader leaned down, making a show of it even if he wasn’t much taller than Ty.

Ty’s eyes flicked to the leader, then back to Seven. ‘You gonna let your bitch talk for you?’

‘The fuck did you call me?’ The leader lunged forward but two meaty hands held him back.

Ty looked at the bulky members of the group. Now that they were closer, he could see one was the slab of fat, and the other was the slab of muscle. The one on the left had a belly so large and round the tracksuit couldn’t contain it. He stared at Ty with dim but sharp brown eyes. His brow was wide, and his mouth had a bit of an underbite. His hand was like a bear’s paw, and despite his immense size, his hand had shot out from his pocket quickly.

The ball of muscle on the right had a rather square head and was a bit smaller than his fellow bodyguard. His jaw was clenched tight, like it was wired shut, and his beady eyes were focused intensely on Ty. His broad shoulders jutted out from his frame, and his tracksuit rippled with the bulges of his muscles. His blonde hair was like a shaggy lion’s mane.

Seven smiled, it didn’t crease his face. ‘Are you one of our opponents today?’

‘Don’t be stupid,’ the leader said, ‘he’s too small. He’s gotta be JV.’

Ty ignored the yapping leader. ‘I’ve been watching you.’ He pointed to Seven. ‘Number seven. You’re their leading Receiver.’

‘You must be number twenty-one. I look forward to matching you on the field today.’

‘This little shit? He’s supposed to be the best corner in the region?’ The leader laughed.

Ty looked at the leader. ‘Who are you?’

The leader snarled. ‘I’m the captain of the best pass defence. In the nation. This is just our first step to proving it in Nationals. So you and your bitch better stay outta our fucking way.’ The leader bumped past Ty. The two meatballs directed him away from Bella and escorted him towards the field.

Seven sighed and said: ‘Sorry about him.’ Then he followed after the group.

‘Fucking asshole,’ Bella muttered, watching them go. ‘You better beat the shit out of them.’

Ty watched them leave, eyes on Seven the whole time. ‘Don’t worry. This game’s already over.’