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of mayhem, Seth’s shouting could be heard by everyone and the team assembled in an orderly line behind Tate to cross the field and shake hands with the dejected Dragons. Afterward, Seth gathered the team by the Tigers bench, with the parents and fans staying back at a respectful distance. Troy and his teammates had to strain to hear Seth’s voice, it was so hoarse and raspy from shouting.
    “We won the North,” Seth said, referring to one of the two regions in the state, “and that’s an incredible accomplishment for a team that barely made the playoffs. But you believed, and now we go to the state championship. You believed and you had heart, and we’re not done yet!”
    The team cheered.
    Seth held up his hands and the players gradually grew quiet.
    “Next week, we’re going to win it all,” Seth said. “That’s how I want you to think. We’re going to enjoy a day off—I should say you guys will enjoy a day off; I’ve got to play a game against Seattle—and then we’re going to prepare like no other team has ever prepared.We’re going to come up with a plan to beat the pants off whoever they send at us, however good they are, however big they are, however fast, however strong. We are the Tigers and we will be champions!”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
    WHEN THE CROWD FINALLY dispersed, Troy climbed into Seth’s big yellow H2 along with his mom. His mind spun with the thought of being the quarterback of a state championship team. It would set him apart from his peers and put him on the track he ached for: the road to the NFL, not as a football genius, but as a real player. If Troy could win next week’s game, high school coaches, college coaches, the media, other players, and fans would rally around him in the years to come, giving him every advantage he could hope for. He would be marked as a champion.
    The thought of that made Troy worry, though, because it was at moments like this throughout his life—just when everything seemed to be going great—that things turned sour instead.
    Troy knew Seth was headed to Wright’s Gourmet for their favorite sandwiches, but on the way, he pulled into a newly constructed shopping center where half the glass storefronts were still plastered with real estate ads. Only a handful of cars rested in the smooth parking lot, and most of them were at the far end, in front of a Fantastic Fitness Center marked by its big red neon sign. In the middle of the shopping center was a large steakhouse that appeared to open only for dinner.
    “What’s this?” Troy asked, eyeing the fogged glass of the storefront on the near end of the brick shopping center.
    “A little unorthodox medical treatment,” Seth said. “A vitamin shot and an adjustment. It won’t take long.”
    Troy scrunched up his face.
    His mom said, “A lot of the players get things like acupuncture and vitamin shots and back adjustments.”
    “Players and old people looking for the fountain of youth,” Seth said, getting out of the truck.
    “Well,” Troy said, “if I’m going to play in the NFL one day, maybe I should check it out.”
    “Come in if you want,” Seth said.
    Troy’s mom said, “I hate to drive this thing, but I’m going to run across the street to the Kroger and get some orange juice. I’ll meet you guys back here.”
    “Why do you hate it?” Seth asked, his voice still hoarse, as she scooted over into the driver’s seat.
    She shrugged and said, “It’s a gas guzzler.”
    Seth scratched his head and said, “Well, I need some new wheels anyway. Maybe a hybrid truck.”
    Troy’s mom tilted her head and smiled lovingly at Seth. Seth put a hand on her cheek and when Troy’s mom leaned over and kissed Seth, Troy blushed and looked away, climbing out of the truck and waiting on the curb with his eyes on the ground.
    Seth hopped out and patted him on the back. Troy’s mom rumbled away, high up in the H2, and Troy followed Seth through the dark glass door whose fancy gold letters read MERCURY