Gladiators of the Gridiron

Ty basked in the silence for a good, long while. And then the silence turned to a low drone of boos aimed at him while he lingered in the endzone, soaking it all up.

He laughed and made his way off the field slowly. Even the boos were more acceptable than the incessant cheering.

He sat down on the bench for a brief breather, though after the short kick return, he and the Dons’ defence were back out on the field.

The crowd was much quieter when their beloved offence took the field this time, and it brought a smile to Ty’s face.

However, Ty was curious if the offence had learnt their lesson, or if the QB would still be stupid enough to throw his way.

It didn’t take long for him to get his answer. The first play of this drive was a handoff up the middle that was easily stuffed by the Dons’ D-Line.

Ty laughed. ‘Looks like this game is over,’ he said to Alfie.

‘Don’t get cocky just because of a couple of plays. There’s still plenty of time.’

‘Yet you and I won’t have anything to do with the rest of the game. Look—look at your QB, he’s shaking, he won’t even look in my direction. He’s never throwing you the ball again.’

Alfie frowned. ‘We haven’t given up yet. It’s not over until we give up.’

Ty scoffed. ‘They look like they’ve given up to me, you’re just too stupid to see it.’

For the rest of the drive—which was a quick three-and-out—the ball didn’t come anywhere near Alfie or Ty, not even on a run to their side of the field.

The crowd seemed disheartened even further as the teams came off the field, and Ty’s grin was wider.

Alfie, on the other hand, got around his teammates, trying to rile them back up and get them to look past what had already happened and focus on the rest of the game still ahead of them.

When it was time for the Dons to attack, and when the Saints’ defence made their way onto the field, the crowd came alive once more.

They cheered loudly and began chanting, reaching the same feverish pitch as before. Ty glared back at the crowd, but at least it was easier to drown out when he didn’t have to focus on playing. However, he still wanted to shut them up completely.

“Come on, don’t let these dumbasses keep screaming like this. Just score already and shut them up for good.”

He watched as the offence set up and the first play commenced.

It wasn’t a pretty sight.

Whether the returning players were still rusty, or Jay was taking longer to get accustomed to their rhythms again, or the intensity of the crowd was throwing them off, or perhaps a bit of all three, they continued to struggle to get much of anything going.

So Ty didn’t get too long of a rest before he and the Dons’ defence were trudging back out there, but now, his work to silence the crowd had been undone by the Saints’ defensive stand, and once again their supporters were screaming.

Ty sighed heavily. ‘They just don’t get it.’ He’d have to show them the difference between their levels and make sure everyone knew his touchdown wasn’t a fluke.

If he ever got the chance to prove that point. As things were going, it didn’t look like he’d get the opportunity for another pick.

Once again, the Saints avoided his side of the field. They did try a few passes but this time they targeted Deshaun.

Whilst they gained some yards this way and pushed further down the field, it wasn’t long before Deshaun locked in and batted down an errant pass, halting their momentum and giving the crowd something to think about for a moment.

They tried another run, but even that didn’t get far before JJ wrestled the HB to the ground for a short gain.

The QB looked at Alfie briefly. Alfie was eager and tried his best to encourage and ensure his teammate that everything would be alright if they threw his way, but the QB quickly looked away and that side of the field went back into a state of non-existence within the offence’s eyes.

Eventually, the Saints were stopped outside of field goal range, and it was the Dons' turn with the ball once more, and that is how the game continued for a long while.

Even after half-time, where there wasn’t much comment from any coaching team regarding the stellar performances of either defence, just a few words of reassurance to either side, as much of the focus was put upon the two struggling offences and how they could turn things around in the second half.

Even so, the second half started much the same way that the first had ended. Both offences still struggled to get another done, locked in a perpetual stalemate that was quite boring for those watching.

Ty didn’t mind boring as long as they were winning, and they were, still holding onto their 0–7 lead. It also meant that he was doing his job perfectly, not another pass had been thrown his way since his interception.

The crowd was silent when the Saints' offence was on the field as well, which was another benefit of this “boring”, low-scoring game, however, they were still fired up whenever the Saints' defence touched the turf. That was something Ty had to live with, it seemed, as the Dons’ offence was hopeless this game.

It just wasn’t their day today. They might’ve gotten over their rust, but that wasn’t the only thing holding them back. For one, the Saints were GOOD defensively, and when you added outside factors like this crowd, and the frustrating start the Dons had gotten off to, the Saints had been able to dominate this game defensively and suffocate any hope for offence from the Dons.

However, Jay kept the boat steady through this tumultuous sea. They hadn’t turned the ball over once. So while they couldn't add to their lead, they certainly weren’t letting the Saints’ defence close the margin.

Going into the fourth quarter, the score was still 0–7 in the Dons’ favour, but one player in particular, over on the Saints bench, was determined to change that.

‘Come on, guys, we’re not that far behind. It’s only one touchdown, just one! We can get that back in one play, and then it’ll be a tied game again, or we could even take the lead with a two-point conversion.’

‘But we can’t run, and you can’t get open at all, that 21 is all over you,’ the QB said.

‘Mark… just... I WILL get open, believe me, okay? And what do we have to lose? We’re already behind, if we don’t try SOMETHING, we’re just going to lose anyway, so what’s the worst that could happen?’

Mark looked away, frowning deeply. He didn’t say anything else to Alfie, but as the team got into their formation, he kept looking over to the Receiver.

As they lined up again, Ty saw the fire within Alfie’s eyes. He snarled at the disrespect. “How can you still think you can challenge me?”

The ball was snapped and Mark’s eyes darted about the field wildly before they fell upon Alfie.

Alfie was charging ahead, struggling onward before he cut towards the boundary diagonally.

Ty was right on top of him, hounding him all the way.

Mark was out of time—defenders were closing in around him—so he flung the ball out in Alfie’s direction, but well above his and Ty’s head where none of them had a chance to catch it.

Ty laughed. ‘You’re really trying this again? He’s never going to throw it anywhere you can catch it. Because if YOU can catch it, it means I can as well, and I’ll ALWAYS beat you.’

Alfie stayed quiet as he jogged to the huddle and right to Mark. ‘Mark, relax. Trust me, okay? I can do this. WE can do this.’

Again, Mark didn’t address Alfie directly. The huddle broke away and soon the ball was snapped again.

This time, Alfie cut inside on another short crossing route just beyond the line of scrimmage. Ty was right behind him, right on top of Alfie like he was a backpack.

Mark threw the ball into the turf just out of reach of both Alfie’s and Ty’s hands.

Alfie bit his tongue but clapped loudly. ‘Nice try, nice try. We’ll get the next one.’

Again he and Ty went at it with a one-on-one duel. This time Alfie cut directly to the outside, and then cut once more to head back upfield.

Mark threw the pass, and it sailed just out of reach of Ty’s outstretched hand as it flew over their heads.

The Saints’ drive was over.

Still, the Dons couldn’t capitalise and their woes continued as they were unable to extend the lead to a two-possession game. The Saints had another chance to tie soon enough, and Alfie implored them to keep trying.

‘You just have to focus. Don’t worry about the interception before. I’ll catch the ball, you just have to throw me something I CAN catch.’

‘O-Okay,’ Mark said, his head bobbing.

Again and again, he’d try to get the ball to Alfie, and while they were closer to the target this time, that only meant that Ty was swatting these passes aside instead of having them fall to the ground or sail out of bounds out of reach of anyone.

Still, they kept at it throughout the fourth quarter, and as time was winding down, the ball was once again in the hands of the Saints, and the scores had remained unchanged.

This would be their last chance to score, if not, the Dons would have the opportunity to run out the clock for the few minutes that remained.

‘We can do this, just one catch, that’s all we need, and then our comeback can begin. He’s not invincible,’ Alfie said.

Mark nodded and lightly bumped the fist that Alfie held out.

As Alfie lined up opposite Ty, he took a deep breath, staring into those dark, predatory eyes.

Ty narrowed his eyes. ‘You don’t get it, do you? I hate thick-headed dumbasses like you—it takes you way too long to understand you have no chance against me.’

‘There’s always a chance, even a fool has a chance.’

Ty scowled.

At the snap of the ball, Alfie kicked into motion, pushing straight into Ty’s chest like he was pushing him back for a block. Over with Mark, he had turned around, reaching out to the RB as if he was going to hand the ball over.

It wasn’t that Ty didn’t buy the fake, as it was sold brilliantly by all involved, he just didn’t care at this point, he wasn’t going to leave Alfie even if he saw the RB with the ball.

So when Mark kept the ball for himself and the run turned out to be a fake, Ty was still right where he needed to be, still right in front of Alfie.

But, that was right where Alfie wanted him. He shoved Ty back further, and then whirled around. At the same time, Mark whirled around too and before Alfie had even made his move, Mark threw the ball.

It was short, much shorter than where Alfie and Ty were, but that was the plan. Alfie dived with both hands outstretched. Ty was a bit slow to react, and therefore a bit slow to balance himself from the push. He was late to dive, and even when he did so, his hand didn’t reach as far as Alfie’s.

Alfie came down with the ball, hands under it protectively to keep it off the ground as he secured the catch, and as he did so, Ty fell right on top of him.

The play didn’t go far, and the catch only resulted in a gain of a couple of yards, but it was still a catch nonetheless.

Alfie quickly hopped up, grinning from ear to ear as he faced Ty. ‘So much for your promise about me not getting a single catch for the entire game. Looks like you’re beatable after all.’

Ty’s eyes widened. As Alfie stared into them, he shivered. That piercing gaze wasn’t burning with anger like he had expected. It was freezing cold.

Ty stood up calmly and dusted himself off. He didn’t say a word as he returned to his team’s huddle, nor did he say anything once he and Alfie were face to face again.

Again, the Saints went for play-action. Again, Alfie had barrelled straight into Ty’s chest, driving him back, then he had turned back to the ball.

Ty pounced, but it was only a fake this time. Alfie spun by him, and Mark held onto the ball for a moment longer.

Ty spun on his heel and gave chase as Alfie streaked down the sideline and Mark finally let the ball go.

Alfie and Ty both turned their heads back to find the ball in its flight.

Ty leapt first and higher. Alfie might’ve gotten by him, but Ty’s speed was still greater over a longer distance. His vertical was greater, and his reach was MUCH greater.

Alfie was helpless, he could only watch as Ty plucked the ball from the sky with one hand then came crashing down on top of him.

The very air was sucked from the field as Ty came away with the ball, and the last hopes of the Saints were seemingly crushed.

As Ty stood up, he dropped the ball onto Alfie’s chest. ‘You’ll never beat me. Not in a million years.’

Alfie had no retort as Ty stalked away.

The Dons had possession of the ball with under two minutes to go, and while the Saints still had all of their timeouts, it would only take one first down for the Dons to ice the game and be able to run out the rest of the clock.

As both teams lined up in formation again, the crowd let loose with the last of their energy. They screamed and shouted until their throats were raw and their voices hoarse, desperate for their defence to make one last stand and keep their hopes alive for just a little bit longer.

The Dons weren’t taking any chances, and had sent JJ out onto the field with the offence. Everyone knew it’d come down to a run, and it would be up to Chris and the O-Line whether or not the Dons could finish the game here and now.

‘Let’s end this, hermano,’ JJ said then fist-bumped Chris.

‘Those legs still feeling like rockets?’ Jay asked.

‘Hell yeah, I’m ready.’

‘Alright … let’s go home then.’ With a smile, Jay got everyone into position. They seemed to stay that way for a full minute before the ball was snapped.

It was given to Chris immediately. He charged up the middle behind JJ. He was hit early, well before the first down marker. The arms of the defender coiled around him tighter and tighter … but he kept his legs pumping. His feet pounded against the turf and he willed his way forward, pushing through the tackle and breaking free. He slipped away from another would-be tackler and as he got wrapped up by a third, he spun and stretched out his arm, reaching the ball out.

As he slammed into the turf he kept his grip on the ball, his arm extended as far as it could and … he was across the marker. He had secured a first down just like that, and the Dons could kneel for the first of the game to waste time until the game was over.

The crowd was finally silenced for good. Only after the final whistle blew had they shut up completely, but Ty couldn’t be happier.

He bowed for the crowd before making his way to the locker room, reigniting some boos. Once the full team was in the locker room, Coach Long addressed them all as usual.

‘Offensively, that was sloppier than I would’ve liked, but we got the win in the end and that’s all that matters. Good job, boys. Defence, give yourselves a pat on the back, a complete shutout, it’s not often that happens, you all played exceptionally. But, there’s one player who set the standard for today, and we wouldn’t have won without him. Tyrese.’ Coach Long looked around for a moment before he found Ty and walked over, handing him the game ball.

Ty took it, muttering his thanks as he clutched the ball tightly against his chest.

“Finally. Back where you belong. Back to where you deserve to be.”

Ty was of course, satisfied with the win—as was the entire team—however, he couldn’t help but look to the future. It still wasn’t enough to quench his desire for victory. For no victory could ever be as sweet, as the victories he would claim over Marshall and Denzel.