Rain poured on the field from the dark sky. Today was our homecoming game against Tuscarora. Students piled into the stands as they prepared there selves for an intense game. Woodgrove has been preparing all year long to fight once again on this turf field. The team acquired a new coach who has been very successful in his coaching career. Coach Skinner turned our program totally around. We bought new equipment and brand new helmets. This week we started off by doing two straight hours of conditioning. This was getting us ready for the game. We had to get ready for this upcoming game. We were not going to lose against Tuscarora. Not again. Last year we were whipped in a tight game against them. Tonight would decide who had bragging rights for the rest of the season.

The sky cleared up a little right before half time. We came out of the locker room confident of a win. Our offense had rung up 26 points while the defense has played lights out only letting one touchdown and a field goal. I had been playing linebacker the entire time. Breaking through the line I had three tackles and a sack. But the game wasn’t over and I needed to play a phenomenal rest of the game. The crowd was on its feet when our quarterback threw a 54 yard touchdown to our stellar wide receiver. That touchdown put the game out of hand and shut down there hope of winning. Game over Woodgrove 33-Tuscarora 10.

Winning that game put us the wolverines in a position to compete for the Dulles District Title and possibly a State Title. Coach Skinner wadded into the middle of the locker room to announce something “Great win tonight men. You’ll put in a statement that Woodgrove came to play. And better yet put in the work to beat our worst rival” he announced.
The cheering and clapping erupted in a monstrous flash. After undressing and putting away my pads I walked out of the locker room and glanced around to find my parents and my girlfriend Olivia. I found them standing next to a man wearing a black suit. I slowly walked over trying not to make a scene with my parents in front of the stranger. My mother made eye contact with me and smiled at me. She motioned me to introduce myself to the man.
I greeted him by saying “Hello, my names Thomas Ellis.”
He responded “Hi son, my name is Coach Markland. People have been talking about you all over the campus and I wanted to come up and see you play in person. I’ll admit it’s worth the travel to see you play.”
“Thank you sir, if I may ask where are you from?”
“Son, I am from the United States Naval Academy and I want to support you and your family by having you play football for us.”
“Wow that’s vey nice Coach ill have to look at my other options though.”