Chapter 20: Full Power
DJ arrived at the locker room early on Thursday morning, the air thick with anticipation. The team gathered, eager for their final preparations before the big game. Coach Carter stood at the front, his expression serious.
"Alright, listen up, everyone," Coach Carter began, his voice cutting through the chatter. "We've got some good news. Eli's back and ready to play and Damian Law, our starting running back, will be making his return from the issues he had last season and his ankle
injury. So, we will now be switching up our offense from a pure air raid pass offense."
The team murmured in response, the news sending a ripple of excitement through the players. Eli, with his lanky build and long
arms, looked ready to prove himself, his eyes determined and focused. Damian, a stocky running back with a relaxed expression, nodded in acknowledgment.
"But we need to address something,"
Coach Carter continued, his gaze sweeping across the room. "Our offense is too predictable right now. The reason they were doing this is because we need to diversify our plays and keep the defense guessing. Damian's return will help with that, but everyone needs to step up."
DJ felt the tension as he noticed some of his
teammates shooting him jealous looks. He knew his high number of targets had caused some friction within the team, and now, with the return of key players, the competition for touches would only increase.
"DJ, James, Eli, and Damian – I want you all
to lead by example out there today," Coach Carter added, making eye contact with each of them. "Let's show Greenwood Prep that we're not a one-dimensional team."
DJ nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. He had to step up not just for himself, but for his team.
----
At lunch, DJ, Malik, and Travis noticed a skinny guy who looked a bit young sitting by himself at their usual table. The kid looked
new, isolated, and somewhat lost. DJ nudged his friends and nodded toward the boy.
"Hey, let's go say hi," DJ suggested, leading the way.
The boy looked up, surprised, as DJ and his
friends approached. "Mind if we join you?" DJ asked with a friendly smile.
"Uh, sure," the boy replied, clearly skeptical of their intentions.
"I'm DJ, and these are my friends, Malik and
Travis," DJ introduced. "What's your name?"
"Eric," the boy mumbled, his eyes darting around maybe looking for a camera.
"Nice to meet you, Eric," Malik said. "You new here?"
Eric nodded. "Yeah, just moved here last week."
"Welcome to the team, man," Travis said,
clapping him on the back. "Well, not the team team, because the rosters are finalized, but you're one of us now."
Eric looked confused. "What do you mean?"
"We've personally adopted you," Malik said with a grin. "Selected by the finest athletes this school has to offer. You're in the inner circle now, man be honored."
Eric's eyes widened with a mix of confusion and sarcasm."Oh wow I'm so excited" he said while sounding deflated "Why do you care so much?"
"Because we know what it's like to be the new
kid," DJ said. "And it's always better with some friends."
"Plus, you never know when you'll need someone to carry your bags," Travis joked, making everyone laugh.
Eric's face broke into a hesitant smile.
"Thanks, guys. I appreciate it."
"No problem," DJ said. "Also, you can come to some practices and workouts. Meet new people, make new friends. Trust me, it'll be fun."
Eric still seemed unsure, but he nodded.
"I'll think about it."
"Good," Malik said, grinning. "Now,
let's eat before all the good stuff is gone."
The group dug into their lunch, sharing jokes and stories. DJ felt a sense of freondship growing, and he knew Eric would fit right in.
As they started eating, the basketball guys, Jalen, Andre and Marcus, joined the table. They were already good friends with DJ and his group, and their presence added to the lively atmosphere.
"Who's the new kid?" Jalen asked, nodding toward Eric.
"This is Eric," DJ introduced. "He's new here, and we've decided to adopted the guy into the team and also he was picked by yours truly."
"Adopt, huh, what an honor?" Marcus
said, raising an eyebrow. "Lucky you, Eric. These guys are the best – and definitely
the worst influence."
Eric chuckled nervously. "Thanks, I guess."
"So, Eric, do you play any sports?" Jalen asked.
"Not really," Eric admitted. "I'm pretty skinny, and I've never really tried any."
"Don't worry about it," Marcus said. "We'll get you bulked up in no time. Right, DJ?"
"Of course," DJ agreed. "You don't know what you're capable of until you actually try after all."
"Yeah, you'll be lifting weights and running
sprints in no time, and hey try basketball too, trust me it'll be fun." Malik added, making Eric look even more nervous.
"Relax, we're just messing with you," Travis said with a laugh. "But seriously, if you ever want to join us for workouts or anything, just let us know."
Eric nodded, a small smile forming on his lips.
"Thanks, guys. I appreciate it."
----
The team went through their walk-through,
preparing meticulously for Greenwood Prep. Coach Carter had them focus on key plays, emphasizing the need for creativity and unpredictability. The tension from earlier seemed to ease as the players got into the groove, their minds focused on the game.
DJ practiced his routes with precision, his feet quick and smooth as he made sharp cuts and explosive releases off the line. He worked on perfecting his timing with James, their chemistry on display as they executed plays flawlessly.
During a break, the cornerback coach approached DJ. "Ever thought about playing both wide receiver and cornerback?" he asked.
DJ blinked in surprise. "Uh, not really. Why?"
"You've got the skills and the athleticism," the coach said. "It might give you an edge, making you even more versatile and valuable as a recruit."
"I'll think about it," DJ replied, feeling a new layer of complexity added to his thoughts.
As practice continued, DJ couldn't shake the
conversation with the coach. He imagined himself locking down receivers on defense, using his speed to shut down plays. It was a tempting thought, but he knew he had to stay focused on his primary role for now.
The practice session was quite light, with the
team warm up routine to activate everyone's muscles to be ready for tomorrow and some quick words with each of the position coaches.
After the warmups, they transitioned to a no-pad practice and 7-on-7 drills. DJ lined up against Eli, who was eager to test his skills after being sidelined for so long.
"Ready to go, DJ?" Eli challenged, a competitive glint in his eyes.
"Always," DJ replied with a grin.
DJ's footwork was impeccable as he released off the line with a quick stutter step side to side, then burst into a full sprint. Eli mirrored his movements, staying close. In the middle of the sprint DJ planted his foot, faked a cut inside to the right, then pivoted sharply to the outside towards the sideline. Eli struggled to keep up seeming still out of touch, his long arms reaching but failing to make contact.
James fired the ball, and DJ's eyes locked onto it. He extended his arms, his fingers gripping the ball securely as he brought
it in with his toe dragging near the sideline. The catch was smooth, and DJ felt a surge of satisfaction as he completed the play.
"C'mon a double move to welcome me back are you serious," Eli complained, breathing heavily.
"Gotta make sure you're in prime form," DJ said, tapping Eli on the shoulder. "Good to have you back out here."
---
After practice, DJ drove to Brianna's house, eager to unwind and spend time with her. She greeted him at the door with a warm
smile.
"Hey, DJ," she said. "Come on in."
DJ entered, immediately feeling at ease in the
cozy atmosphere of her home. They headed to the backyard, where Brianna's little brother Ethan, was playing basketball.
"Hey, wanna play?" DJ asked, picking up the ball.
"Sure!" Ethan replied, his face lighting up.
They spent the next hour shooting hoops, laughing, and having fun. DJ's competitive side came out, but he made sure to let Ethan win a few times, much to the kid's delight. Brianna watched from the sidelines, her
eyes full of amusement.
After basketball, they moved to the front yard to toss around a football. DJ showed Brianna's brother some basic cone drills, making the kid feel like a real player. Brianna joined in, by throwing the ball for DJ and Ethan.
"Not bad," DJ teased as Brianna caught a
pass. "Ever thought about joining the team?"
Brianna rolled her eyes. "I think I'll stick to basketball. Speaking of which, how's football going?"
DJ sighed, leaning against the fence. "It's
tough. There's a lot of pressure, especially now that some colleges are showing interest."
"Which schools?" Brianna asked,
genuinely curious.
"Louisville, USC, UCLA, Stanford, Iowa...
some others in California," DJ listed, trying to keep his tone casual. "It's exciting but a little overwhelming."
"You'll figure it out," Brianna said, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. "You're good at this."
"Thanks," DJ replied, feeling the warmth
of her hand. "How are your parents doing?"
"They're good," Brianna said. "They ask about you sometimes."
"Really?" DJ said, feeling surprised. "Tell them I said hi."
"I will," Brianna replied with a smile.
As they continued playing, DJ couldn't help but notice how comfortable he felt around Brianna. There was an ease to their interactions, a connection that felt natural and effortless. She honestly made him feel lucky.
"Hey, DJ," Brianna said suddenly, breaking his train of thought. "How's your appetite been lately? Still eating like a horse?"
DJ laughed. "You know it. I can't help it. My
Dad says I eat enough for three people."
"That's because your half piggy." Brianna teased. "Speaking of which, you must be starving after practice."
"I could definitely eat," DJ admitted, his stomach growling as if on cue.
"Why don't we grab something to eat?" Brianna suggested. "I could whip something up real quick."
"Sounds good," DJ agreed, feeling hungrier
by the second. "Let's go."
---
DJ arrived home, feeling a mix of exhaustion and restlessness.
He headed straight to his room, shutting the door behind him. He flopped onto his bed, his mind racing with thoughts about the game, the team, and his future.
A little later, his phone buzzed. It was a call
from his older brother, Jalen.
"Hey, DJ," Jalen greeted. "How's it going?"
"Hey, Jalen. Just tired, man. We had a tough
practice today," DJ replied.
"Well, I've got some news that might cheer
you up," Jalen said, his tone excited. "I talked to Coach Bryant at Syracuse. They're planning to offer you if you keep it up."
DJ's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
"Yeah, man. They're really interested in you.
Just keep doing what you're doing," Jalen encouraged.
"That's amazing," DJ said, feeling a rush of excitement. "Thanks for letting me know."
"No problem. Just stay focused and keep
working hard," Jalen advised. "And remember, I'm always here if you need to talk."
"I know. Thanks, bro," DJ said, a smile spreading across his face.
As the call ended, DJ felt a renewed sense of
determination. The Syracuse offer was a huge opportunity, and he knew he had to
keep pushing himself to make it a reality. With the game against Greenwood Prep coming up, he had a chance to prove himself once again.
---
DJ woke up early, the anticipation of game day fueling his energy. He carefully laid out his game day outfit: a baggy white long sleeve under his teal number 1 jersey, teal gloves, a visor on his helmet, compression pants, and a hanging mouthpiece. Every piece of gear was meticulously chosen, each element contributing to his sense of readiness almost as it was a game day ritual.
As he headed to school, he felt a mixture of
excitement and restlessnes. The game against Greenwood Prep was crucial, and DJ knew he had to be at his best. The article from the local paper was fresh in his mind, highlighting his recent performances and quoting, "One thing we know Donovan King can do is fly." The recognition was encouraging, but it also added to the pressure he already had.
During the morning walk-through, Coach Carter gathered the team for a final pep talk. "Remember Greenwood Prep has a pretty
decent safety, Sam Johnson. He's 6'2" and reads the game well. But he and their defense have a weakness, they can be too aggressive at times, leaving gaps we can exploit, QBs remember to be careful. Stay sharp, play smart, and remember our game plan."
DJ nodded along with his teammates, absorbing every word. He knew the importance of studying his opponents and using their tendencies to his advantage.
As the day progressed, DJ felt a growing
restlessness. The excitement and pressure of the upcoming game made it hard to focus on anything else. He replayed the game plan in his mind, visualizing each play and his role in it. He knew that his performance tonight could make a significant impact on his future.
Finally, the school day ended, and it was time to head to the field. DJ took a deep breath, ready to give the school one of the best home games in history.
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