Giving into Glory

By Scott Lance

With the Bausk University Cougars starting out their football season with a 4-1 record, Head Coach Al V. Lyle implements some of his own tactics, motivational projects, and faith.

Head Coach Al V. Lyle has more than a college football team to prepare for this weeks game, this season of ups and downs, and the occasional prankster. Al V. Lyle has a life away from Bausk University he is just getting to notice. Theres a life-changer down at the river; its a beast of an animal with roar and coat of black fur. Its a bear!

From the college cafeteria, where most mornings at the school begin to football practice and the crowds on Saturday, a walk amongst natures beauty, a failed marriage, and the feeling of something is about to happen changes the meaning of life for Al V. Lyle. Is it coincidence or fate?

The every day is always changing. The alarm goes off at the same time most every day, but that does not mean you wake up at the same time. Coach Al V. Lyle is not one to emphasize routine. Theres just too much out of bounds and Mistakes make perfect. We are human beings.

The ball is hiked! Seren rolls out, picks up a block, and another block. Hes twenty-four yards down field before being forced out of bounds!

This guy is playing as if on a mission, Chad!

No doubt about it. Bry Seren is in total control out there, Matt!

With the Cougars at the thirty-eight-yard line with a first and ten yards to go, Coach Lyle calls a time-out, and Bry Seren steps over to the coach. Just chill, Bry. We need you for the second half of this game as well.

Yes, Coach, and with something on his chest needing to get off, what happened between you and my girlfriend?

Nothing! Now, get out there and play, he said as if a sworn secret had just been leaked out.

Coach Bren is standing close by. What was that all about?

Just something that did not need to be knownThursday night, a short talk with Brys girlfriendthats all it was. We have a game going on, for Petes sakes.

It looks like another first down, Chad!

The chain gang comes onto the field. First down by an inch! The next play would be an incomplete pass and on second and ten from the twenty eight yard line.

The Cougars line up, snap the ball, its a sweep to the left!

Upton runs for four yards and is brought down by a pack! The Cougars are facing third down and six yards to go, Chad.

The Cougars snap the ball from the Shotgun formation. Bry Seren fakes the handoff, rolls out to his right, is he going to run?

No, he rifles a short pass to Jackson!

And, he is tackled, like, right now!

Its still enough for a first down. These Cougars are just making it.

Written upon these pages faces is a fictional character. Put yourself in the shoes of Head Coach Al V. Lyle, former linebacker, wearing the uniform stitched with Bausk University.

Written upon these pages portrays a man feeling alone and not knowing if he should reach out or remain under his own restraint. Al comes in different names to match the moment, but on the inside, he tries to remain the same: I am but the least of us all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 11, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503569720

Scott Lance

Scott Lance was born and has spent most of his life in Minnesota. After graduating from high school, serving five plus years in the United States Air Force, bartending at several different locations, slipping on a wedding ring, having the wedding ring removed, and reflecting on his first thirty some years, he decided to write a novel. His first novel, Just a Stranger: Are You Strong Enough, lead three more novels in seven years. Writing is more than putting words on paper. Writing is an inspiration, exercise, and a starting point to your day! Some people eat breakfast, while others read the newspaper, listen to the morning’s news, play an instrument, stretch your body, or write down today’s expectations. Writing has kept Scott Lance curious, interested, and observant. Life is about expressing oneself. Who are you, and what do you do? Without writing, we are left with a blank space on our face, no questions or answers to be criticized. A person with hobbies ranging from music to sports, woodworking to painting, designing to drawing, author Scott Lance might not be full of answers, but it’s the resources he tends to find. Imagination and love thy neighbor are high priorities on his list of living. Giving is a must!

Book preview

GIVING INTO GLORY

SCOTT LANCE

COPYRIGHT © 2015 BY SCOTT LANCE.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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 any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 05/07/2015

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

713177

CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter One: Four Up & One Down

Chapter Two: Taking It In

Chapter Three: Some People

Chapter Four: Penalty Against the Defense

Chapter Five: Another W

Chapter Six: Six Points

Chapter Seven: Nature Says

Chapter Eight: Time-Out

Chapter Nine: Stepping Out, Stepping Up

Chapter Ten: Questions

Chapter Eleven: Faith

Chapter Twelve: Always ‘Heads’

Chapter Thirteen: Mistakes Make Perfect

Chapter Fourteen: IDU – I Don’t Understand

Chapter Fifteen: Karma

Chapter Sixteen: Over Time

Chapter Seventeen: The Next Opponent is …

Chapter Eighteen: Halloween/Homecoming

Chapter Nineteen: Homecoming/Halloween

Chapter Twenty: Trick or Treat

Chapter Twenty One: The King and Queen

Chapter Twenty Two: Behind The Mask

Chapter Twenty Three: It’s Here

Chapter Twenty Four: The Missing Chapter

Chapter Twenty Five: Friday; November First

Chapter Twenty Six: Match-Ups

Chapter Twenty Seven: Play-By-Play

Chapter Twenty Eight: Second Quarter

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Giving Into Glory

Chapter Thirty: Stand Tall

Chapter Thirty One: Ending & Beginning

Chapter Thirty Two: Out of Bounds

Chapter Thirty Three: Filling in the Blanks; Letting Go

DEDICATION

Kandi Darren Coaches Colleges Mother Nature

Introduction

There are times when all seems to be against you. There are times when the dice just aren’t rolling in your favor. These are times when someone has stepped up and accepted what was taught, given, and thrown into their hands.

Coming from a farm community or a big city should not matter what you bring to the table. The fire and determination what you have on the inside is what can make the difference between sleeping in a King size bed and crawling through a dark alley for scraps.

Choices? A word used through history. Change? Something we do on a daily basis if we like it or not.

Can you take criticism? Can you say the word ‘wrong’? Do you have what it takes for someone else to change your mind? Too many questions. A smooth ride consists only of answers. Can you imagine never having to ask for anything because everything is already in the … palm … of … your … hands.

It doesn’t matter what field you’re working on, a victory is a victory. And it feels good!

image01.tif

Chapter One

FOUR UP & ONE DOWN

image02.tif

Coach Lyle has spent sixteen years on the sideline of his alma mater, Bausk University. He played linebacker until his left knee gave out and immediately went into coaching. He has been the head coach for the last ten years.

Coach Lyle works 24/7 year round; yes, football is a year-round sport. He would not have it any other way. X’s and O’s are on his mind constantly. Someone once asked him, If it wasn’t for coaching, how would your time be spent? Coach Lyle just gave a quizzical look and walked away.

As a youngster Coach Allen V. Lyle had a very hard time sitting still. He was an active boy raised amongst three sisters and two brothers. One brother and one sister followed him in the sibling countdown; he was number four and he wore it on all of his jerseys. Number four in basketball and baseball and number forty four in football.

During his high school years he helped the team win conference, district, and state championships. His All-State selection as a linebacker in his senior year was and is his favorite story. The team featured record-breakers at running back and defense. That squad could go against the pros and have a real, real good chance of beating ’em, as Coach Lyle would start the story.

Division I gave him a few letters, but something about Bausk University kept him close to home. Maybe it was his younger brother who never went into sports because of his small frame and shyness. Maybe it was his dad who demanded him to help the family whenever possible. The Lyle’s were a close family and held onto American traditions; work comes first and play time happens only when the work is done.

Coach Allen V. Lyle is checking his watch and preparing for the team’s meeting at 12:15 p.m. The team is sitting at a 4 and 1 record; the one loss coming by four points two days ago. He always gives the players Sunday off; church going is another of his family traditions. The watch displays 11:48 a.m.

He steps into the meeting room, sets up the computer equipment, and goes over his playbook. After checking through it numerous times since the game ended on Saturday, he knows exactly what went wrong. His oldest brother, Danny, was a genius at chess and physics. Coach Lyle listened and applied strategy with weight mass and movement. On third down and three they should have ploughed right through the middle instead of play-action and a short pass to the right.

His next-to-the-oldest sister had taught him how to slow down and think things through. The game clock does not stop and with fourteen seconds left in the game, one timeout remaining – no time for thinking. Their last play of the game was an incomplete toss to the left. It’s a heck of a way to end a game at the five yard line. ‘Maybe we should have run it up the middle on that last play.’

Hey, Coach, Bry Seren is always the first one to report; a quarterback with ability and smarts. We should have run it up the middle.

Okay, you got me. I totally agree. Coach Lyle thumbs through some of the pages before him. Here it is. For the next game how about this play? South Missouri plays a lot of 3-4 on defense; this should work.

Bry checks it out, nods in agreement, and then takes a seat behind a laptop. How’s Mark doing?

Mark, Mark Upnon the running back, went down in the third quarter with an ankle sprain. He’ll be alright. He’s a tough one and it was pretty hard keeping him out of the game.

Cool.

Within minutes the room is full, lively, and boisterous. The coach chills until the clock says 12:15. Patience is part of coaching, part of teamwork and dedication. He does not speak with any player or assistant coach. Coach Lyle waits.

The hands of the clock move forward; 12:15 p.m. is reached, Okay guys, take a seat, if you haven’t already and let’s get this thing started! First line of business: finishing a ball game.

Coach Lyle does not hand out blame to any one player or himself. Fate is another family tradition. If it was the wrong play it still could have worked. Some days are not meant for us to win, but don’t set that phrase into stone!

A dozen plays are shown the screens and a short discussion of execution follows. The next game is analyzed and a brief explanation on the subject of injuries and preventive measures is shared. Coach Lyle does not consider himself to be too detail oriented, but some of the players do. After the final words are spoken the meeting is adjourned; one and one half hours-worth. Some of the players have afternoon classes. Practice in full gear: 3:30 p.m.

Once practice starts its grind out, muscle up, push, and pull!! Today would be extra; an unwritten after a loss. Three hours and then some of blood sweat and more sweat. The young men smell real good. Showers and who knows what would complete their day. Coach Lyle, on the other hand, more study time and game plan maneuvers. He will not let this next game beat him!

Coach, Assistant Coach Paul Bren slightly knocks before entering the coach’s office, ten fifteen. Isn’t it time to call it a day?

Hey, Paul. Yeah, I guess you’re right. I’ll be here in the morning around six thirty or so, Coach Lyle slides his chair back, stands, and leaves his desk as is. I must have dosed off for a bit; ten fifteen?

Yep. I just happened to be sliding by after a few cold ones at Charlie’s; seen your truck still here.

Thanks. I have always held myself to no overnighters.

The two men leave the office, lock it up, and stroll quietly down the hallway and out into the parking lot. Not much activity going on being it’s Monday night. The campus lay on the outskirts of a small city sporting around twenty eight thousand good wholesome folks; Briggen, Wisconsin.

Coach Lyle arrives home within minutes, parks in the double car garage, and enters into his home. A quiet two-story house he shares with a cat and a dog; Misty and Pipes. He checks out their food and water dishes, fills them up, and grabs a bottle of water from the fridge. He knows he’ll most likely be shutting his eyes upon the couch in a short while.

Just like clockwork; his eyes open at midnight. With a cat on his lap and a dog next to the couch on the floor it makes it pretty hard to get up. But, Allen V. Lyle forces himself; ‘five bells right around the corner.’ He saunters into his bedroom and is soon dreaming about some good stuff.

Chapter Two

TAKING IT IN

Morning Coach, Paul greets the headmaster with a coffee in hand. How do you do it? Last one to leave and first one here in the morning.

I’ve only been here a few minutes. Toast and coffee at the house and make sure my buddies are fed; then it’s ‘here I come Bausk University’. You get a good night sleep?

Sure. You know Al, I’m forty one with a history of fitness, vitamins, and organization, but you have me beat, man. Maybe I need some hardships like you’ve been through, Coach Paul Bren would willingly and at any time admit his good luck and family fortune; easy street.

Paul, you just gotta know what you’re asking for. Do you want good stuff or do you want drama?

Drama builds up the excitement and fills the bleachers. Gets the blood boiling and the spit foaming at the mouth! Come on let’s get us some more weapons!

It’s Tuesday; always a good day to search the wire for future recruits. Each coach handles a coffee cup and is sure to get their hands on some fresh donuts at the cafeteria. Coach Lyle carries the manila envelope containing forms, names of high school players, names of high schools, present position rankings, and legal documentation.

At 6:45 a.m. the cafeteria is close to empty; a good time to use some space. The head cook, Bridgette Meck, meets them by the donuts