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didn’t do any of those correctly, it
was 20 push-ups.
    Our Wednesday practice even felt
like a real game.  The coach would get irate if the starters messed up and
would make them correct themselves three times over just to make sure they did
it correctly.  Even the backup team was playing intensely and would also be
corrected on any mistakes.  It was the most intense week of practice we had ever
endured.  We were not going to lose to those West Whitaker Weenies.
    Thursday was more of a celebratory
practice.  The coach wanted to remind the seniors that the following day would
be their last home game.  We were also celebrating our last regular season
practice.  Although we would be practicing during the playoffs, the celebration
was more of a reflection of surviving 11 grueling weeks of practice that led us
to the playoffs.  Finally, we were celebrating because the coach made it clear
that we would not have another chance to celebrate until we celebrated the
final game of the state playoffs.  Once we beat West Whitaker, it would be time
to get ready for round one of the playoffs.  There wouldn’t be time to
celebrate, and the coach even forbade any post-game celebrations.
    Even at school, the atmosphere was
different.  The students knew how important that game was.  They went out of
their way that week to show their school spirit. Every student wore aqua and
dark purple, our team colors.  We were dismissed from school at the end of
every day that week with the fight song playing on the P.A. system.  The best
display of school spirit, though, was the prep rally.
    School was put on hold for one hour
while the entire student body met in the basketball arena.  Just like at a
game, we came crashing through the gym doors once we were announced, and were
greeted by a full audience of cheers.  When we stood in the middle of the
basketball court, we saw cheerleaders with their faces painted, students with
their aqua and dark purple clothing, signs, banners, and even air horns.  We
suddenly realized that we weren’t just playing the game for us; we were playing
for the entire school.

Chapter 17
    Before every home game, the locker
room was full of excitement and horseplay.  However, before this game, the
players were quiet.  We looked like men on a mission.  The entire team knew
what was at stake and we would have to give all of our time, energy, and
attention to that game.  As we made it to the field for the pre-game stretches,
we walked in unison.  I noticed that for the first time that season, the
stadium was full an hour before the game had even started.
    Back in the locker room, the coach
gave another great speech.  He reminded us how important the game was, not just
to the team, but to the seniors as well.  He made us realize how great it would
feel to achieve an undefeated season at home against West Whitaker while the
entire town watched.  Then, it was game time. 
    Although the players were quiet, it
still wasn’t silent in the locker room.  We could hear music.  Opening the
locker room door, the music got louder.  We could see the high school marching
band on the field.  The band usually played before the game and at halftime,
but they were usually finished by the time we came back from the locker room. 
Something different was about to happen.  The instruments stopped.  The only
sound came from one single drum making a simple beat that seemed to keep the
band in step while they continued to march.  The band suddenly came to a halt. 
They formed two lines which created a tunnel; much like the cheerleader tunnel
we were used to, only 10 times bigger.  As the fight song started up, the
audience stood up, sang, and clapped to the beat.  Although some of the players
seemed to know this would happen, I was totally taken by surprise.  The team
ran through the tunnel. 
    As I ran, it occurred to me that
when we were looking for groups to sign up with on that first day of school,
the band was