Gladiators of the Gridiron

Even with winter fast approaching, the Arizona sun was still fierce and beat down hard on the Titans as they worked through their practice session.

Kenny guzzled down water and wiped his brow. His short break was almost over, and then he’d be back out there on that green hell, running until he collapsed.

At least that’s what the coaches would try to put him through, but Kenny didn’t even have eyes for the side of the training field assigned to the JV team. He was too focused on the varsity players instead.

They were gliding along the turf, no matter how hard they went at their drills, they looked effortless, even the ones who still carried the same burden he did.

He watched them with awe rather than with jealousy as some of the other JV players did. Those jealous few focused more on those who chose the easy road and had shed their extra weight.

Kenny could only see those who still wore the vest but looked as if they were as free and weightless as a bird. Even though he was much improved from how he handled the extra weight, Kenny still felt as if he was struggling through mud every practice.

Even when the JV team’s short water break was over, Kenny still couldn’t keep his eyes from wandering over to the other portion of the field where the varsity players continued to work out.

‘You’re really obsessed with making it over there, huh?’ Pete said.

‘Huh?’ Kenny looked over, his hyper-focused mind taking a while to register an outside question. ‘What? I mean, of course. Isn’t everyone trying to make it onto that team?’

Pete looked over and nodded. ‘Yeah, I guess so.’

‘Aren’t you?’

Pete frowned. ‘I am … hey, but you shouldn’t worry about that. Coach Otsen has never put a rookie on the varsity team. It just doesn’t happen. You have to go through this gruelling year of hell first. So it’s better to only worry about yourself until next season.’

‘Hmph. There’s a first for everything. And maybe I’ll be the first freshman to make it.’

Pete laughed at that. ‘Ohh you’re a funny one, mi amigo. At least you know you’d have a good career in comedy if this football stuff doesn’t work out for you.’

Kenny didn’t look very amused. He looked Pete up and down. ‘What’s your excuse then? You’re a sophomore, aren’t you?’

Pete frowned again and looked away. ‘Yeah, so what? It’s not like this is a year trial, and once you finish you automatically get put in the varsity team. Puta madre, some people never make it over there.’

‘Are you going to be one of them?’

He looked at Kenny seriously. ‘No. I’ll make it next season… I hope.’

‘You hope?’

Pete looked across the field. ‘Wesley Walker, he’s the starting QB, yeah? That pendejo. Well, he’s still a junior. He’s got another year left. So, even on top of the other backups, I’ll still have to contend with him as well … I don’t know if I can make it to be the starter for next season, but I’ll try my hardest.’

Kenny patted Pete on the back. ‘Aww, don’t feel too bad, buddy. I’ll still come nice and early to watch your JV games when I make varsity.’

‘Hey! ¡Puta!’

Kenny’s laughter was cut short when Coach Knight’s whistle blew in his ear, the large, stoic man looking down at both boys disapprovingly before they kicked things back into high gear and got back to training rather than chatting.

Over with the varsity players, Wesley sneezed loudly. He came to a stop and looked around, sniffling a bit. He didn’t have much time to stand still and look about, however, as Coach Otsen quickly got on his case.

‘Wesley! You can daydream on your own fucking time! Keep moving or you’ll all do laps.’

Wesley grumbled but resumed his drill of precision passing.

‘Don’t think I’ve forgotten about the laps you already owe me, either. Just because we won doesn’t mean you’re getting let off for the points you cost us.’

Wesley groaned loudly. ‘Why are you riding my ass so hard, man? Redd couldn’t score either.’

‘What was that?’ Coach Otsen stomped forward, getting a bit closer to the disgruntled boy.

‘Nothing, Coach.’

‘Hmmmm.’ Coach Otsen didn’t say anything further, but he kept a close eye on Wesley for the rest of practice.

Throughout the rest of practice, Kenny seemed more intent on trying to mimic the drills the varsity players were doing—specifically the Receivers—rather than worrying about what he and the rest of the JV players were supposed to be doing.

About halfway through, Coach Otsen’s voice boomed across the field. ‘Don’t let the intensity drop! Don’t think just because you won that things are going to be getting easier. Varsity, you’ve beaten every team already, but don’t think that means you can take it easy from here on out. If you lose as much as one game, I’ll make training camp look like a fucking walk in the park! Hell! I expect you boys to put an even bigger beating on every team the second time around.’

‘Yes, Coach!’ some fiery voices from the varsity side responded. Most stayed quiet aside from their panting.

Training had come to a standstill as Coach Otsen addressed both teams. He turned his attention to the JV side, a few players visibly wilted under his gaze—Freddie was one of them, but he quickly raised his shoulders back up and stood tall, even if he was shaking a bit.

‘And for the JV team. You’ve got another big challenge, facing another team that’s already beaten you. Just because you’ve avenged one defeat doesn’t mean this team will roll over and let you do the same. We’ve got a road trip ahead of us so let’s start it right by kicking down this first door and dominating the Golden Hawks in their own house!’

‘Yes, Coach!’ the whole team answered, Kenny’s voice leading the call. His fists clenched tight. Their opponents were Desert Sunrise. The team they’d faced first this season. They’d only had ten players during that game because of Jackson’s injury, and Freddy wasn’t with the team to fill in yet.

It had been a brutal game, but things would be different now. They’d grown so much since then, and they had enough players to field a proper team now.

Jackson had only just arrived. He heard the address and another wave of guilt had struck him. He hadn’t seen that game—he was stuck in the hospital, of course—but he had seen the score afterwards and it wasn’t pretty. He wondered how the Titans would handle them now.

But the responses from the players put a smile on his face and pushed aside his worries. The Titans’ JV team might not have been the best in the division—unlike their varsity counterparts—but you certainly couldn’t say they didn’t work the hardest.

‘Now get back to work!’ Coach Otsen clapped his hands loudly and dispersed the teams back to their drills.

‘Let’s finish with MAXIMUM effort!’ Coach Vasquez shouted.

Jackson settled into the nearby stands alone, not wanting to disrupt the practice as it resumed. He watched as the last half of the session finished with greater intensity than the first had started, and when it was over, Kenny came over to say hello.

‘Yo dude, Jasmine didn’t come today?’ Kenny said.

Jackson looked around for her then shrugged. ‘Oh, nah. I guess not.’

‘Right, right, you good?’

‘Hm? Oh, yeah I’m fine I just… I needed some time to myself to think and keep a clear head today, I guess. Ended up being a bit late.’

Kenny nodded. ‘Everything alright?’

‘Yes. I’m good.’

‘You sure?’

‘Kenny …’ Jackson looked at him sternly. ‘Everything’s fine. I promise I’d tell you if something was up.’

‘Okay okay. Sorry.’ Kenny sat down, sighing with relief.

‘Looks like Coach keeps on working you all harder the longer the season goes on.’

‘Tell me about it. Hah, I’m not complaining though.’ Kenny grinned. He looked at Jackson and then he looked around at the others. ‘Have you told anyone else?’

‘Huh?’ Jackson looked around. It was clear Kenny meant anyone else on the team. ‘Oh, no, no not yet.’

‘Maybe you should. Like… now?’

Jackson thought about it but shook his head, deciding against it. After his earlier confession to Eddie, Sachin, and Marcus, he felt drained. He knew it probably wouldn’t be as much of a big deal emotionally to tell the team, but there would be a lot more people to tell, and probably a lot of questions still. He just wasn’t up for it after the first confession.

He sighed softly. ‘Not today. Honestly, I told some of my other friends earlier in the day. I think one group of people per day is enough for me.’

‘Hm. Fair enough, I guess? I mean, it shouldn’t be a big deal, right? You just, tell them the truth and then that’s that. I mean, they’ll probably tell you that you were stupid for hiding it for so long, and doing it in the first place. But no one’s going to hold it against you if you tell them. … And I promise I won’t let them headbutt you.’

Jackson laughed, his forehead throbbing slightly as the memory of the headbutt was brought up. ‘Thanks, Kenny.’ Jackson reached out and patted Kenny’s shoulder. ‘But I’m alright for today. I’ll tell them another time, and soon, I promise.’

Kenny frowned and looked away. ‘Alright, dude. I’ll let you do you.’ He sipped the last of his water. ‘Does Jasmine know?’

‘Uhh … no. But I hadn’t met her before the acc… before I hurt myself.’

‘You should still tell her, I reckon, dude.’

‘And I will. Later.’

‘Right, right.’ Kenny nodded, dropping the topic there.

As most players were packing up and heading home, Shane wanted to continue practising. Kenny and Jackson watched him approach Wesley with a ball in hand. They didn’t hear what he asked, but he was turned down and Wesley continued on his way.

A similar process happened with the backup varsity players as well, and then Shane caught Petey just before he was leaving. After the brief discussion, Petey nodded and followed Shane back out onto the field.

Kenny and Jackson watched as Shane explained things a bit more to Pete, and then they got set up. Shane stood before a couple of inflatable dummies that were pressed close together, and a single cone was laid out on the field far to his left, closer to the sideline.

Shane and Pete looked at one another and gave the go-ahead. Pete acted as if the ball was snapped and dropped back into his stance ready to throw. Meanwhile, Shane jab-stepped to his right, batted aside one of the dummies, then squeezed between them while curving to his left.

He ran flat towards the sideline, then rounded the third cone and turned sharply upfield. Not long after, Pete lobbed the ball high Shane’s way.

Kenny stood from his seat as he watched Shane leap into the air, twisting around with one hand outstretched to make the catch.

He landed safely with both feet inbounds, and then jogged back to Petey, handing him the ball back with a grin.

Then they’d set up and do it again, repeatedly.

Kenny watched for a while before he turned to Jackson. ‘I’m gonna… I’m gonna join them.’ He gestured to Shane and Petey.

Jackson nodded wordlessly, not taking his eyes off Shane.

Kenny hurried over. The others were more than happy to let him work in with them, and soon he was following Shane’s lead and running the same route over and over.

Jackson watched on from the sidelines, leaning over slightly as he massaged an ache in his injured leg.

Oh how desperately he wanted to run out there and soar alongside them.