This story is by Andrew W Peterson and was part of our 2024 Fall Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.
An avalanche of jeers from a sold out crowd of friends and family brought chills to Argyle Peters. His whole body shook as he led the Nebraska Cornhuskers out of the visitors tunnel.
“I can’t hear myself think Peters” quarterback Moses Battle said.
“Not the homecoming I was expecting” Argyle said.
He felt daggers piercing his skin as every Minnesota Golden Gopher player and fan glared at their former running back. When the football game started, Argyle searched the hostile sea of maroon and gold for his parents. They served as the dividing line between Nebraska fans and Minnesota fans. Both showed off their half red, half maroon jerseys they had made for the game when they spotted Argyle. Fans closest to them on either side inched farther away. The first drive ended in a three-and-out for Minnesota. Booing intensified as the Huskers offense huddled; Argyle easily the shortest player on the field by at least three inches.
“Let’s shut this crowd up so I don’t lose my voice by halftime!” Moses shouted.
Argyle nodded with the rest of the offense. He took the first handoff and rumbled forward; hands grasped at his jersey as he churned his legs through would-be tacklers. He was stopped after six yards when his facemask was yanked so hard that his helmet turned sideways. The culprit was his former roommate, linebacker Stan Boole. Every player froze amid yellow flags raining around the two players. The crowd cheered for the first time all evening.
“Traitor” Stan said, loud enough for only Argyle to hear.
“Says the guy who helped replace me” Argyle said.
He stood and looked up at Stan.
“We’re better off without you” Stan said.
“Then why the hell are all of you pissed off?” Argyle said.
Not waiting for an answer, Argyle jumped high enough to get level with Stan and forcefully pushed his chest, causing more flags to fly. Stan stumbled back into other defenders, the crowd resumed booing, and both teams separated the former roommates.
“Peters!” head coach Mike Roland said, “get your ass over here!”
The facemask and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties resulted in a do-over. Argyle marched to the sideline with his head down.
“What the hell was that Peters?” Coach Roland said.
“Lost my cool coach” Argyle said, “sorry”
“Well that just cost you any carries this quarter. My players don’t get away with that crap.”
Argyle threw his helmet at the bench before sitting. The man who the Gophers had replaced Argyle with ran them to a touchdown on the ensuing drive. Nebraska leaned on their passing game for the rest of the first quarter to no avail. Argyle tried to energize the offense with a handful of carries in the second quarter, which allowed Nebraska to keep pace with some field goals. Each team ended the half scoring a touchdown; Argyle had only fourteen rushing yards on eight carries. Minnesota led at halftime 17-13.
Argyle sprinted to the visiting locker room, the first one there. He paced around the stark white lockers, benches, and whiteboards slapping his helmet.
“What the hell is going on?” Argyle mumbled repeatedly, shaking his head.
Moses and the rest of the team filled the rest of the locker room, causing Argyle to pause.
“I’m letting everybody down” Argyle said.
Moses shook his head.
“You’re letting everyone out there get in your head” Moses said.
Argyle vigorously shook his head
“Didn’t picture my return to be like this” Argyle said.
“Who cares?” Moses said, “This is just another road game.”
“Easy for you to say, you haven’t lived here all your life! I’ve got family out there who’ve branded me a traitor.”
“You’re right, I’ll probably never play against my hometown team” Moses said, “but you joined us because they let you down. You made the right choice for yourself, and we’ve all benefitted from it this season.”
Others nodded, Argyle shrugged, and the coaching staff entered the room.
“Doesn’t help that former teammates want to take my head off” Argyle said.
“So do what you do best; run them over!” Moses said.
Everyone laughed, having seen Argyle do that in previous games.
“When the game is over, your family will still save a seat at the dinner table and true friends will forget this game by next week” Coach Roland said.
Everyone shifted their attention as the head coach approached Argyle and Moses.
“This goes for all of you. Never worry about pleasing anybody outside of this room when you are on the field.”
Argyle nodded with the rest of the team.
“We need to get locked in for the next thirty minutes” Coach Roland continued, “ and do what we do best; play your hearts out for each other.”
“You ready?” Moses asked Argyle.
“Let’s win this game” Argyle said.
The Huskers shoved each other and jumped around as they took the field.
The booing returned in force for the second half. The Nebraska sideline, including Argyle, repeatedly raised their arms at the hostile crowd, invoking them to get louder. The offense took the field with confidence. They showed their commitment to running by handing Argyle the ball right away. He picked up twelve yards on the carry, causing the Nebraska sideline and fans to explode with cheers. Back in the huddle, players thumped his helmet and shoulder pads.
“We’ll definitely take more of those” Moses said.
The next play was more of the same; Argyle gained thirteen yard gain that got them to midfield. He extended his arm with football in hand to signal another first down, which created a seismic uproar throughout the stadium.
“About time” Argyle said.
The offense followed those runs with a pass. Argyle blocked a defender twice his size in the backfield to protect Moses. Moses took the opportunity to throw a deep ball down the field to a wide open receiver who walked into the end zone. Nebraska had their first lead of the game.
“That’s what I like to see, boys!” Coach Roland said.
Unfortunately, what momentum the offense gained was short lived. The Gophers took the lead back after a quick touchdown. The next Huskers drive began with two quick passes that resulted in a short third down. Argyle took the ball and burst up the middle of the field. Stan stood in front of the first down marker. Argyle lowered his helmet and drove into Stan’s chest, pushing them both past the marker. As he fell, Stan grabbed Argyle’s leg and tackled him. Argyle bounced back up after the whistle blew.
“Let’s go!” he said, flexing his muscles.
He turned and offered his hand to Stan.
“Traitor” Stan said softly.
He accepted Argyle’s hand and jogged to the defensive huddle. Argyle contributed to the rest of the drive that ended in a touchdown to put Nebraska up 27-24. The third quarter ended with Minnesota kicking a field goal to tie the game. Both defenses improved in the fourth quarter, allowing no scores over halfway through. Nebraska had the ball with under five minutes left. Moses brought everyone together during a television timeout.
“Time to run the Snowplow play” he said.
“Let’s silence this crowd” Argyle said.
Everyone agreed with the call. Argyle made eye contact with each of his former teammates on the other side before Moses snapped the ball.
“Hike!”
The entire offense surged forward and pushed any defenders they found towards the sidelines. Argyle ran through the largest gap he’d seen all game. With glee he took off, to the disdain of the Minnesota crowd. Every other Husker, including Moses, made sure they found someone to block. Argyle was in the clear, running down the Nebraska sideline. When he crossed the Gopher’s twenty yard line, he saw a defender coming down on his left. Out of desperation, the defender dove at Argyle, but the running back anticipated the move and spun out of the tackle. Once he crossed the goal line, Argyle got on his knees, raised his hands in the air, and closed his eyes in prayer. The booing faded away and got replaced by the cheers of Nebraska fans in front of him and his team behind him. The offense dogpiled Argyle and carried him to the sideline.
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