Put Me In, Coach!

By Sheri Cobb South and Trevor South

Seventh-grade running back Cole Patterson is sure he could make big plays for the Oak Valley Middle School Mustangs, but the coach won't even put him into the game—and the coach is his dad! Now star linebacker Jack Riley is saying Cole wouldn't even be on the team if his dad wasn't the coach. When Cole finally gets his chance to prove Jack wrong, will he take it? Or will he do what's best for the team?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sheri Cobb South
• Release date: Mar 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386717096

Book preview

OAK VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

KEY PLAYERS

Position    Name  Grade

QB    Luke Bailey    8

RB    Matt Collins    8

OL    Hunter Davidson      7

K    Carlos Garcia    7

WR    Jaylen Jackson    7

CB    Landon Marshall    8

RB    Cole Patterson    7

LB    Jack Riley    8

CB    Max Tyler    6

LB    Curtis Washington   8

1

As the referee blew the whistle, seventh-grade running back Cole Patterson glanced up at the scoreboard from his place on the sideline. His team, the Oak Valley Mustangs, was leading 21-16, but with 1:38 left on the clock and the Centerville Red Raiders driving across midfield, that might not last long. Suddenly a cheer rose up from the crowd, jerking Cole’s attention back to the action on the field. While he’d been looking at the scoreboard, the ball had been snapped and the Raider quarterback had thrown a pass. As Cole watched, middle linebacker Jack Riley jumped up from the 40-yard line, stretching his arms high over his head and snatching the football just before it reached the hands of the intended receiver. Forced into defensive mode, the wide receiver tugged at the ball with one hand and grabbed a handful of Jack’s blue jersey with the other. Even though Jack could be a total jerk, Cole had to admit that he knew how to protect a football. Jack held onto the ball in spite of the Raider receiver’s best efforts to pull it loose. With the interception, the cheering Mustang defense ran off the field, slapping Jack high-fives.

Great job, boys! Way to hang onto that ball, Jack! called the coach, clapping his hands as he called his team back to attention. The Raiders don’t have any timeouts left, so all we have to do is hang onto the ball long enough to run out the clock. Luke! Hunter! Cole! Matt! Victory play! Let’s go!

Cole’s heart pounded as he ran onto the field with the offense. He loved the victory play, but he hated it, too. He loved it because, true to its name, it meant the Mustangs were winning. He hated it because it was the most boring play in all of football. It was also one of the few times he actually got into the game.

The offense lined up and Luke Bailey, the Mustang quarterback, called the signals. The center snapped the ball, and as soon as it was in his hands, Luke went down on one knee. All Cole had to do was watch to make sure there was no fumble on the exchange. If the ball came loose, it would be his job to fall on it before any of the Raiders could. But no, the referee whistled the play dead, and Cole wasn’t quite sure whether to be sorry or glad. Of course he wanted the Mustangs to win, but he also wanted the chance to make a play—a real play, the kind that would earn him more playing time.

As they lined up to repeat the victory play, Cole glanced once more at the clock. Fifty-six seconds . . . fifty-five . . . The second snap, and then the third. Twenty-four seconds . . . twenty-three . . .

There was no need for a fourth snap, because there was nothing else the Raider defense could do. The game was over, and Cole didn’t have so much as a speck of dirt to mar the red number 34 on his blue jersey. The victorious Mustangs exchanged high fives, then ran off the field to celebrate with their teammates on the sidelines as the crowd cheered.

Okay boys, it’s time to show them we can be good sports, too, the coach said, calling the team to line up and go back onto the field for the post-game handshake with the opposing team. After that, they gathered in a circle for Gatorade and a short talk from the coach.

I liked the way you all hustled out there, he said. Jack, that interception at the end really saved our bacon.

The boys all clapped for Jack, but Cole couldn’t help thinking, Oh, great. He’s already so full of himself, the basketball team could use his head for the ball. Still, it had been a good play, and right when the team needed it. Cole only wished he had a chance to make big plays himself.

Next week, we play the Hurricanes, the coach continued, so I’ll see you all at practice Monday, ready to work.

Jack turned to nudge his best friend, fellow linebacker Curtis Washington. Hurricanes? They’re more like a drizzle. Next week ought to be an easy win.

But he’d spoken too loudly, and the coach heard. Don’t say that, Jack. I don’t ever want to hear any of you disrespecting an opponent. The team you take too lightly is the most dangerous team of all, because they’re playing to win while you’re only going through the motions.

Sorry, Coach, Jack muttered.

Everybody in, now! ‘Mustangs,’ on three! The whole team gathered around, joining their closed fists in the air as the coach counted off. One, two, three—

—Mustangs! the team shouted in unison.

As the players scattered to find their parents in the crowd of fans, the coach turned to Cole. I’m sorry I couldn’t get you in sooner, he said. Maybe next week I can give you a bit more playing time.

Yeah, sure thing, Cole said, trying to sound like he believed it. Thanks—Dad.

2

The sun was hot at Monday afternoon practice, but Cole didn’t even notice. He’d just taken the handoff from Luke and now shot the gap between the linemen. He dodged first Curtis and then Jack, and suddenly there was nothing between him and the end zone but open field. He crossed the goal line and spiked the ball, just because he could. It would be a fifteen-yard penalty if he did that in a real game, but the way things were going, he might never have a chance to do it in a real game anyway.