The StrikerZ: Bring it on!

By Randall James

Thirteen-year-old EZ Taylor knows that his soccer team, the StrikerZ, has the talent to be champions. They even dream of turning pro for the top clubs in Europe, one day. But who will ever see them play?

The multi-ethnic kids, from small-town Nova Scotia, don’t even own uniforms or cleats. And they’ve never competed in a real League game. Some of them don’t even know where their next meal will come from, or if they’ll have a sober parent when they get home.

Fred Jones, a wealthy business man, knows these kids because he used to be like them. When he meets EZ, Lukas and Danny at summer camp, he vows to give the StrikerZ the opportunities they need to succeed.

But the StrikerZ learn that money alone won’t fix every problem. Sometimes you have to change what’s inside to become a winner.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Randall James
• Release date: Nov 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9780987859105

Randall James

Randall James is an author and game designer. He grew up in beautiful Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and now lives on the west coast.

Book preview

The StrikerZ - Bring It On!

Randall James

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 Randall James

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses/companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

The character Bandit is partially based on a childhood friend of the author.

http://www.thestrikerz.com/

"I was eyes to the blind,

And feet was I to the lame.

I was a father to the poor,

And the cause which I knew not

I searched out."

The Book of Job

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Preview Book 2: The StrikerZ - Heart

CHAPTER 1

Sparks

"Taylor taps the ball to Schmidt and goes forward . . . Schmidt passes back to Pearson . . . Danny Pearson dribbles to his right and boots a lovely ball to Taylor. TayLOR! Oh! What a strike! What a beauty! Top corner! Brilliant! Majestic! EZ Taylor has put the Baptists on the scoreboard! The Gooners are stunned!"

The StrikerZ laughed hysterically each time Lukas Schmidt relived the game by announcing the play-by-play in his best British accent. Even EZ howled, although he had been there and done it. The reaction of his friends was too much.

EZ stretched his tall, wiry frame and looked over his neighbourhood team that he'd been leading for three years now, since he was ten. Besides EZ, there were Lukas, Danny, Milan, Jose, Maddie, Logan, Zach, Tommy, Mario, and Bandit. Eleven. Just like soccer!

Lukas, who looked like he could be EZ's brother, and Danny, dark-haired and shorter, were EZ’s best friends.

On Saturday mornings, the StrikerZ usually played a game against each other, but today they just kicked the ball around as they hung out and waited.

What else did you guys get to do at camp? asked Milan.

Tons of stuff, answered Lukas. Canoeing, treasure hunts, archery, campfires, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. He patted his stomach. "All that delicious food — Mmmm!"

Everyone licked their lips and moaned half-jokingly about the great campfire food.

"Dude, that sounds so cool, said Jose. I hope I get to go next year."

As EZ listened to his friends, he kept an eye up Hudson Street, waiting for Fred Jones to appear. He reached into his right front jeans’ pocket and felt the business card, again. His fingertips brushed the embossed lettering.

The wind suddenly picked up, and the colourful flags that surrounded the school grounds waved in the breeze. Central Elementary School, which was directly across the street from the field, was all roped off. EZ continued to turn and look toward his left — from the school to the Low Rentals, and down Hudson Street. The blue-green ocean was choppy on this early September day.

This was EZ’s hood in New Waterford, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Except for short trips, like summer camp, it was all he had ever known. EZ’s real name was Diego, but he didn’t like it. His friends had nicknamed him ‘EZ’ a couple of years ago because he made difficult plays look so ‘easy.’ He loved his new name and no one dared call him Diego anymore — well, except for his dad and teachers who didn’t know him.

Just make sure you get your name in early next year, commented EZ, returning his attention to the guys. Me, Lukas and Danny just got lucky this year.

Lucky is right, agreed Zach. I wish I’d been there to cream those wimps! The StrikerZ cracked up again.

***

EZ remembered back to the big game at camp. He was sure glad that Lukas and Danny had gone with him. Who would have guessed that the Baptists would get challenged to a soccer ‘friendly’ by another youth group who also had their camp at Bras d’Or Lake?

The guys had been at camp for less than a week — and didn’t really know the other kids — so they decided to view the game from the side. Lots of fans from both camps came to watch on the scorching August afternoon. There were seven players on each team, on a grass field with real goals.

EZ could tell by their normal camp clothes that the Baptist team was just playing for fun, but that the visitors were ready for action with matching red t-shirts and cool cleats. The red team, who called themselves the ‘Gunners,’ were all boys about thirteen years old, but the Baptist team had mostly younger kids around eleven, including two girls.

It was a nice, fun game at first. But then the Gunners turned it up a notch and began to hot-dog it. 3-0. 4-0. 5-0. It wasn't just that they were running up the score; it was the way they were doing it: showing off — high-fives — laughing.

The Gunners — what a bunch of morons, thought EZ. Sometimes the Gunners would get close to scoring a goal, but would then dribble and pass it back to their own end, on purpose. They were just toying with the Baptist team, who, after the fifth goal, looked tired and frustrated.

One kid named Chad was really rubbing it in. A legend in his own mind, thought EZ.

He felt the heat rising in his cheeks, and it wasn’t the blistering sun. After scoring another goal, Chad ran close to the sideline where EZ stood. EZ pretended that he was coming into the game. He stepped onto the field and kicked Chad’s rear foot, causing him to trip and land on his butt. Lots of kids laughed. Sorry, EZ said with a grin.

Hey! Chad cried, as he scowled up at EZ. Watch your feet, idiot.

EZ crouched down, and, with his face close to Chad’s, he said, "Let’s play some football, punk."

EZ raised and spun around to Lukas and Danny. C’mon, boys. He called to Crystal and offered to sub himself in for her.

Thanks, EZ, she said, as they passed each other. "They seem like real jerks. It’s totally not fun. All we’re doing is running around like idiots and getting sweaty."

Lukas and Danny also found a couple of kids to sub in for. Just as they all got on the field — SMASH! — the Gunners made the game 6-0. As EZ went to get the ball, he whispered loudly to Lukas and Danny, "C’mon, StrikerZ!"

A smile crept across the boys' faces. Yeah, Lukas and Danny repeated. "C’mon, StrikerZ!" They knocked fists.

EZ dribbled the ball close to half and placed it under his right foot. Lukas came up beside him, and they both glared at the Gunners, who were laughing at the new members of the Baptist team.

If there’s one thing I can’t stand, Luke, EZ said, "it’s spoiled little punks showing off and rubbing it in. Let’s teach these wannabes something about football."

I’m with you, Captain, replied Lukas.

Lukas turned back and gave a thumbs-up to Danny, who returned it. They were ready.

Hit me dead centre, on the run, EZ said. He tapped the ball to Lukas and vaporized across the field. As Lukas kicked it back to Danny, EZ sliced through the Gunners’ defence. Danny booted a long pass that took one hop and hit EZ in full stride. BLAST! The ball ripped into the netting — after shaving the keeper! The goalkeeper for the Gunners yelped and hopped and grabbed his left ear with his big glove.

The smiles were wiped from the faces of the Gunners.

"6-1, punks!" said EZ defiantly, as he jogged back to his side of the field.

Nice blast! exclaimed Danny, as the trio knocked fists.

"Dudes, do you know how they say Gunners in England?" Lukas asked his two friends.

How? asked Danny.

Lukas smiled.Gooners.

Really? asked EZ. Gooners? Hilarious!

The three friends chuckled and got ready.

The Gunners became serious and made a few smooth passes, but when a player dribbled close to Danny, he stole the ball and kicked it to Lukas. Lukas raced down the left side like a laser beam. As the Gunners chased him, he lifted a curling cross to EZ, who leaped high into the air and drilled the ball with his forehead. WHACK! That's 6-2, EZ stated on the way back.

EZ heard clapping from the Baptist fans and from the rest of the Baptist team. He smiled. On their next trip down the field, the Gunners lost possession as Lukas lightened