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“You’re fine, Susan,” Carly retorted.
                  “Have you talked to Jake for me?” Susan asked. 
                  “Not yet,” Carly answered curtly.  “I’m still working on it.”
    Just then the Westhill Wildcats emerged.  The Panthers’ loyal crowd erupted fiercely with condemnations against the opposing team. 
    The Lakeview High cheerleaders performed another cheer to get the crowds ready for the pending game and then disappeared behind the sidelines as the game proceeded.  The Panthers performed well in the first and second quarters.  Roy ran the ball well so that by the end of the second quarter the Panthers were leading the Wildcats by a margin of two touchdowns.  The Lakeview High School drill team stepped out onto the field to perform the halftime show.  Thereafter, the Panthers bounded back onto the field for the start of the third quarter, prompting a roar from the crowds.  Jake caught a glimpse of Carly on the sidelines and waved at her, to which she smiled and waved back.  She wondered if the heat suffusing her cheeks was a result of the physical exertion of their cheers and accompanying stunts or because of Jake’s friendly acknowledgement.  She hoped it was the former. 
    The third quarter flew by with the Wildcats scoring three touchdowns, much to the chagrin of Coach Harmon.  The fourth quarter started with a renewed sense of hope that the Panthers would score another touchdown to win the game.  Out on the field, the Panthers had the ball at their 30-yard line.  Jake hiked the ball.  He passed the ball to Roy, and Roy charged across the field.  He dodged the Wildcat defenders before eventually being tackled at the 3-yard line.  Carly glanced at the clock and noticed that there were only 27 seconds left in the fourth quarter.  The Wildcats were up 28 points to the Panthers’ 21 points.  Carly glanced up at the bleachers and noticed that the Panthers’ crowd seemed a bit on edge.  Suddenly, the Wildcats’ head coach called for a time-out.  Jake nodded in Carly’s direction as the teams retreated to their respective sidelines.  Coach Harmon decided to give the Panthers a quick pep talk.  The players were all huddled around Harmon, their faces marked with sweat and determination. 
                  “This is all we need to do to win, boys.”
    Coach Harmon turned to face Roy. 
    “I’m leaving it in your hands.  We’re going to run it straight up the middle.” 
    Roy nodded.   The pressure of the game coupled with the intense stadium lights only served to increase his aggressiveness.  He could hear the shouts from the spectators, vehemently urging the Panthers to claim their victory tonight. 
                  “I got this, Coach,” Roy panted, a surge of adrenaline suddenly rushing through his body.  Jake rubbed the sweat off his forehead and glanced at the clock.  He breathed in hard, feeling the pressure to win at all costs.  He felt like a soldier preparing for battle.  Jake glanced at his father and then at the masses of people cheering them on.  They had to win.  There would be no second place tonight.    
    Before he knew it, the players had assembled onto the field again.  As the players got into their huddle, Roy told Jake, “Just give me the ball, and I’ll do what we need to get it done.” 
    Jake nodded and replied, “You got it.” 
    Jake and the rest of the players got into position.  The teams lined up.  Jake hiked the ball and turned around.  As Roy ran toward Jake, the quarterback handed the ball to him.  Roy, in turn, tucked the ball under his arm and proceeded to run toward the defensive line, preparing himself for the impending impact.  He struggled to breach the wall of defenders.  Sheer will turned into unbending might as he forced his way through the human blockade.  He could feel every muscle in his hard body working to propel him forward.  At that moment he thanked