The First catch
Published on Nov 22, 2015
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The First catch
Story by: Alexis Wille
“Sam! Wake up! You are going to be late for school,” My mom yelled up the stairs. Today was the first day of my sophomore year, and I was not ready to go back at all. My summer was very short lived and I was just starting to have a good time.
Photo by kiwikewlio
As I was looking through my closet to find something to wear my phone started to ring. I slowly walked over, picked it up to see who it was. It was my best friend James, he has called me every year on the first day of school since the fifth grade. I answered and said hello.In a very excited tone, James says, “Hurry up and get dressed, I am taking you out to breakfast before school.”
Photo by apdk
James arrived at my house around 7 A.M.. Of course I was still very tired and did not look impressive. He jumps out of his car and opens the door for me, I was still wondering why he was so excited.
Photo by chrisf608
When we got to the restaurant, we went in and sat at our favorite table. The waitress walked over and asked us what we would like to drink, I took my usual, lemonade and James asked for a Coke.
Photo by Jason Pier in DC
As we were waiting for our food to arrive I asked James why he wanted to take me to breakfast. He said, “ This year our school is going to have it’s own football team!”.
Photo by Paul Nicholson
Our school had never had its own football team due to budgeting. Many of the guys played for the West Dillon Panthers, another school here in Dillion. East Dillon was finally getting their own football team!
Photo by AGB in AR
When we got to school excitement was in the air. New freshmen walking the halls and returning sophomores, juniors and seniors. I walked to the office to get my schedule, I said thank you to the secretary and walked slowly alway looking at the paper.
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My first class was Geometry, ugh math to start the day. When I got to the classroom I noticed a new face, the teacher was new. I walked over to his desk and introduced myself by saying, “ Hello, I’m Sam.
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Nice to meet you.”. He stood from his desk and said, “Hi, it’s so nice to meet you also. I am Mr. Taylor.”. I sat in a desk and looked around his room. Everywhere I looked I saw something about football, from the posters to the football sitting on his desk.
Photo by rafa bahiense
At noon there was an assembly, we all gathered in the gym. Principal Smith started talking first. He talked about the expectations of the students and staff. Next Mr. Taylor talked, he said that he was going to be the head coach of the new football team. The student body roared with excitement. Mr. Taylor explained when try-outs were going to be and that he will be picking his team by the end of the week.
Photo by rafa bahiense
I was a girl who knew almost everything there is to know about football. Football had been in my family for many years. My dad played for the Denver Broncos and my brother is playing for the Baltimore Ravens. Of course I wanted to try out but I knew that Coach wouldn't let me on the team, and all the guys would judge me.
Photo by rafa bahiense
After the last bell rang, I got my stuff from my locker and walked to my car. When I got home I told my dad about the new football team. He was so happy for our school, he suggested that he might become a coach.
Photo by rafa bahiense
The next day was the first day of try-outs. I walked to the field and told Coach I wanted to try-out. He said football was for guys and I would get hurt way to easily. I was so mad, just because I’m a girl doesn't mean I couldn't play. At that time I just walked away, I went into the locker room and got a helmet and pads and put them on. I still looked like a girl, so I put my hair up into the helmet to make it look like guy’s hair.
Photo by Nikita Gavrilovs
I walked onto the field and Coach asked what my name was. In a very deep voice I said, “My name is Brad Jones, Sir,”. I think he bought it, because then he told me to get in the group with the other guys. When I got to the huddle they were all staring at me. One guy asked who I was and if I was new to the school. I told them my name and said that I just moved here this summer. The believed me too, my heart was racing and I was so ready to get started with today’s try-outs.
Photo by Nikita Gavrilovs
We did a lot of passing drills and tackling drills and all that good stuff. Today was going really well, all of the coaches were giving me tips and telling me what a good job I was doing. I thought for sure they will let me on the team. When we all took a break for water, all of the guys took off their helmets. I kept mine on so my hair would stay up, everyone was wondering why I didn't take it off, I told them it was a habit from my old school.
Photo by rgmcfadden
On Friday the list came out. Right there in the middle of the page was my name. I was so excited! I wanted to run home and tell my dad but he was on the coaching staff and if I told him he would tell the rest of the coaches and team. If he did that then I wouldn't get to play. Practice would start the next Monday.
Photo by designsbykari
Monday finally came around and after school we all went into the locker room and got ready for practice. I got ready in the bathroom because I needed to make myself look like a guy. I walked out on to the field with my manly walk and we started practice. The first day mostly consisted of running and getting into shape, which wasn't hard because I was is pretty good shape already. Then came the drills and play books because our first game was in a couple weeks. I would be playing wide receiver on offense and line backer on defense.
Photo by designsbykari
My parents would always ask me why I come home so late after school. I have to give them different excuses everyday, one day it would be a school project and the next it would be just hanging out with friends. I just wished I could tell them what was really going on.
Photo by Philerooski
A few weeks later our first game was about to start. We would receive the opening kick-off and I was the kick returner. I caught the ball and ran to about the 30 yard line. The offense was out and I was in my wide receiver position. The center snapped the ball and I took off into my post route. The quarterback launched the ball and I caught it and ran to mid field. With my heart racing with excitement, the quarterback called for another play. This time I would be running a curve route. Once again the balls was thrown to me, and this time I ran all the way to the touchdown. My teammates were jumping all over me and yelling.
Photo by chexee
After the game we all got on the bus and went back to the school. While the guys showered, I picked up my stuff and went home. I was so happy that we had won our first game and I scored a touch down. My dad asked if I knew the new kid on the team. I told him no and asked what he was like. Dad said he is great at everything he does on that field. My insides were jumping for joy.
Photo by dbr Atl
The next Friday came and yet again we played another game, this time at home. We won and the coaches decided to take us out for supper. By this time I was wearing a wig to keep my hear up to look like on of the guys. Supper was great and the team bonded with each other and became one big family.
Photo by Parker Knight
I kept wearing the wig to practice, games, and other things we did with the team. The guys were becoming my best friends without knowing I was a girl. This week our game was two hours away form Dillon. The game started around 7:30 and we were having an awesome first half. At half time we went into the locker room and Coach talked to us and told us to keep up the good work.
Photo by Paul-W
The second half was about to kick off, once again I was the returner. I caught the ball and started running. I got past the 25 then the 35 and finally tackled at the other teams 40 yard line. Great field position. The quarterback called the play, I was running a post route. I caught the ball, tucked it and ran as fast as I could. I was about 10 yards away from the goal line when a defensive player ran up behind me and grabbed my shoulders bringing me to the ground and ripping my helmet off. My wig came off with the helmet and my long brown hair was exposed. The crowed gasped then got very quiet. Coach ran over to me asking who I was, I told him my name was Sam. My dad then ran over and asked how long I had been pretending to be a guy. I told him I started from day one of try-outs.
Photo by chexee
After that game Coach Taylor asked if I still wanted to play on the team and of course I said yes. All the guys were skeptical about a girl playing on their team but once they realized how good I actually was they were excited to keep the undefeated season going.
Photo by just.jim
Practice and games when on like normal, they all treated me like on of the guys. That year we went on to win state champions of Texas. That was the best feeling in the world and knowing I was apart of that winning game made me feel even better.
Photo by rafa bahiense
Being part of the new team was the best thing that has ever happened to me and I was very excited for next year. The team was becoming to be part of my family.
Photo by Monica's Dad
