Long Arm Quarterback Read online

  “I'll need a stepladder for those bombs.”

  Cap flushed. “Maybe you could just try hustling a little more.”

  Sam's grin vanished. “Don't blame me if you can't control the ball!”

  Quickly, Tully stepped in. “I don't want to hear that stuff. Teammates work together.”

  Cap and Sam nodded. As Sam walked away, he whispered to Jimmy, who laughed. Tully frowned at his grandson.

  “Sam didn't mean anything by that, he was kidding you.”

  Cap wished he could be sure. He had been looking forward to this day, but it wasn't working out the way he had hoped.

  Tully worked on clear passes, using Mick and Fritz as running backs. He created an end-around play, with Cap or Jimmy faking a pitch to Fritz and tossing the ball to Sam, who came in from right end. Fritz and Mick would block. Jimmy looked better on pitchouts and laterals at first, but Cap quickly improved.

  Cap's last pitchout was smooth.

  “Lookin' good,” said Jimmy.

  Cap was startled. It was the first time Jimmy had spoken to him.

  “Thanks,” he replied. “If I'm lucky, I'll get it down as good as you have it now.”

  Tully whistled the team together. “I'm holding off on defenses until tomorrow because it's hard to run them without an offense to practice against. I just figured out a way to work around our lack of players. I'll call the other coaches and see about scheduling scrimmages with other schools.”

  “But what'll we do till then?” asked Vince Avery.

  Cap thought a moment. “Well, we—”

  “Hey, Cap, Grandpa!” called a voice. “How's it going?”

  Candy Wadell waved from the side of the field where she stood with her best friend, Bobby Jo Keller. Both girls were tall and athletic, and they joined in pickup games often. Seeing them gave Cap an idea.

  “Gramps, maybe Candy and Bobby Jo could help us. You know, so we could work on our plays against a whole team, or close to it.”

  Sam Dracus's jaw dropped in disbelief. “Work out with girls? You serious?”

  “You got any better ideas?” Cap demanded. “Candy is an athlete, she's fast, and that goes for Bobby Jo too. They can both catch passes as good as you, I bet.”

  “Oh yeah?” Sam snapped.

  Tully held up a hand. “Cap may have an idea there.”

  “But—” Steve Flynn started to say.

  “No, listen,” said Tully. “This could solve our problem. Scrimmages are useful, if I can set them up, but if we get a practice squad to work with, we'll be better off. I know these girls, and Cap is right about them. They'll both play basketball for Cow-pen next winter. I say if they're willing to help, let's be grateful for it.”

  “Makes sense to me,” said Jimmy. Once again, Cap was surprised.

  Fritz Marconi's face lit up. “I have an idea. My buddy Gabe Muñoz is in ninth grade now, so he's too old for our team, but he can play. I bet he'd join the practice squad. Then we'd have twelve players, so we could practice with two full teams.”

  “Hey, yeah,” said Mick. “Gabe is good.”

  Tully nodded. “Fritz, give your friend a call.” He beckoned to Candy and Bobby Jo and explained what he wanted. Both girls said they'd be happy to start coming to practice the next day.

  Tully looked satisfied. “Well, if Gabe comes too, then we can really work. Tomorrow we go over what we did today and start learning some defensive—”

  He was interrupted by a roaring engine and a squeal of brakes. Sable Cash's dusty pickup stopped by the field, and Sable hopped out. Cap heard Tully mutter something.

  Sable nodded to Tully as he walked over but spoke only to his grandson. “So, Jimmy, did you get to throw?”

  Cap thought that Jimmy looked uncomfortable. “Sure, Gramps. Coach had us taking turns.”

  Sable gave Tully a sharp glance and turned back to Jimmy. “Really?”

  “You heard him,” Tully said. “We're not finished, so why don't you—”

  “You sure you wouldn't like some help?” Sable asked before Tully could finish.

  Tully's smile was strained. “Like I told you, Sable, we're managing just fine.”

  Candy cleared her throat, sensing the tension between the men. “Grandpa, see you tomorrow, then.”

  “Thanks, hon, Bobby Jo.”

  Candy's friend ran a hand through her curly blond hair. “This'll be fun. Bye!”

  Sable stared at the girls as they walked away. “What's that about? What are they looking forward to?” he asked Jimmy.

  “They're going to practice with us starting tomorrow. That way, we—”

  “Those girls?” Sable's jaw dropped. “Practicing with you?”

  “It's really a good idea, Grandpa,” Jimmy said, shooting a troubled glance at Tully. “See, we don't have enough guys to have a full offensive and defensive team, so—”

  Sable snorted. “Now I've heard everything.”

  “Sable, we're not done,” Tully said again. “Give us a few minutes, if you don't mind.”

  Sable studied Tully for a long moment. “You and I aren't done yet either, Wadell.”

  He walked slowly back to his truck. Looking over his shoulder, he called, “Jimmy, when the coach lets you go, I'll be waiting over here.”

  Cap and Jimmy looked at each other, but neither one spoke.

  Cap wondered to himself whether Jimmy was feeling as embarrassed as he was.

  4

  The second day of practice, Tully had twelve players to work with. Candy and Bobby Jo were there, and Fritz's friend Gabe Muñoz. No one was wearing pads or helmets.

  “Today, we'll add defenses and run plays,” Tully explained. “Since we don't have enough equipment, we won't do any tackling.”

  He divided the group into two squads.

  “This is to start with. We'll do some switching around later,” Tully said. “Remember, this isn't a full-contact practice. You can block, but no hard tackles today.”

  He ran through the plays he had given the team so the newcomers could pick them up. When Tully saw everyone knew the plays, he said, “Time for defenses. Let's try a three-two-one defense.”

  He positioned Ben in the middle of the line with. Fritz and Mick as defensive ends. He placed Hoot and Cap five yards back, with Sam five yards deeper.

  “Sam, you're the safety,” Tully explained. “If a play gets by you, it can mean six points for the opposition. Your job is to watch the play and go where the action is. If they send someone deep, you cover him.”

  He turned to the others. “You linemen should put pressure on the quarterback. Cap and Hoot, always watch the play develop. If it looks like a run, move in to stop it. Remember, no one can advance the ball by running until they throw a clear pass.

  “Before each play, the defense should huddle like the offense and choose a coverage and who'll rush the quarterback. Keep the offense guessing about how many will be rushing the passer, and who. The key to defense is to stay alert and react. Always know where the ball is and keep your head in the game. If you just rush in blindly, the play may get by you before you know what's happening. Any questions?”

  No one had any.

  Tully smiled. “All right, defense, huddle up! I'll give the offense a play, and Cap, call a defensive pattern. Remember, the offense needs fifteen yards for a first down.”

  Jimmy had Candy and Vince at end, Gabe and Bobby Jo in the backfield, and Steve at center. Taking Steve's snap, he dropped back, looking for a receiver. Candy went deep and Sam picked her up. Steve blocked Ben, while Vince faked an inside move and cut to the sideline, fooling Cap, who went with the fake. Vince caught Jimmy's pass in full stride. Hoot ran Vince down after a twelve-yard gain.

  Tully clapped his hands. “Good throw, Jimmy, and Vince, nice move on Cap! Cap, you see what happened there?”

  Cap nodded. “Yeah, I got beat.”

  “Because you were too eager. You played Vince too tight off the line and didn't wait and react. Sam, you played off Candy a bit too m
uch. If she'd pulled up, Jimmy could have thrown beneath you and she'd have been open.”

  Sam looked down at his feet.

  “It's okay,” Tully said. “This is new and you'll adjust. Each game, you'll have to learn the other guys' strengths and weaknesses as you play. Don't worry, you're doing fine! Now, it's second and three. Cap, set a defense.”

  Cap put two men on the line, with two linebackers playing outside the linemen. Sam and Hoot were deep, looking for a possible pass and to guard against a runner breaking away.

  On the snap, Jimmy spun, faked a handoff to Gabe, and followed his block into the line. Tully's whistle stopped the play.

  “That'll cost five yards and a down, Jimmy. You can't run without a clear pass.”

  Jimmy turned red. “Sorry, I just forgot.”

  Tully nodded. “Old habits die hard. Okay, go again. It's now third down and eight.”

  Cap left the defense as it was. Jimmy had his backs in an I formation. On the snap, Steve and Vince double-teamed Ben, shoving him to the right, while Gabe, the up back, charged Cap. Jimmy pitched to Bobby Jo, who ran left, but Cap spun away from Gabe and met Bobby Jo at the line of scrimmage.

  “Good reaction!” Tully called. “You waited to see the play develop and then moved!”

  After more plays, the squads switched roles, with Cap's group going to offense. In the huddle, Cap called for a deep pass to Sam.

  Three defenders rushed Cap. Ben held off Steve, and Hoot screened out Vince. Cap rolled away from Bobby Jo and fired toward Sam—but Candy, going step for step with the receiver, cut in front and picked it off.

  Cap pounded his hands together in frustration as Candy trotted back, a big grin on her face. “Good pick, Candy,” called Tully.

  Sam said, “That girl can run.”

  Candy handed Cap the ball. “I knew you'd go deep. I was ready for it.”

  Tully nodded. “I had the same hunch. Cap, don't get predictable. If you rely on those bombs, they'll blow up in your face once the other team figures you out.”

  Cap had to admit that Tully had a point. There was more to learn in this game than he had expected.

  5

  During the next week, the team began to play together better, and everyone, even Sam, agreed that having extra people to work with—girls included—was helpful. Sable always drove Jimmy to practice and began staying to watch.

  It was clear to Cap that Tully didn't welcome the other man's presence, although he wasn't in any position to do much about it. It was a free country, and Tully didn't want to embarrass the team members, especially Jimmy.

  From the first day, everyone knew that Ben Worthy would start at center. Defensively, he was an intimidating pass rusher. By week's end, it was clear who most of the other starters would be.

  Sam Dracus's speed made him a deep threat, and he would start at one end. When he raced out on a post pattern, the opposition would have to send someone deep, so even on a short pass or running play, the defense would be spread thinner. On defense, Sam would cover the other team's fastest receiver.

  Mick Avery had nailed down the starting job at the other end. Mick always seemed to be able to get clear. He could also block well.

  Hoot Coleman was a threat as a runner and pass receiver and would be a starting back. Fritz Marconi was a solid runner in short yardage situations and a strong lead blocker.

  Vince Avery would be coming in as a running back and Steve Flynn could give Ben a breather at center or come in as an end.

  But if Tully had decided who would start at quarterback, he wasn't saying. He kept alternating between Cap and Jimmy. Both boys had their strengths: Cap had a stronger arm and was a better defender than Jimmy and a good blocker. But he tended to go deep too often, and his short passes were often thrown so hard that they were tough for his receivers to hang on to.

  Jimmy's short passing game was his strength. He was a smart play caller and more ready to use all the weapons at his disposal. But he couldn't throw long passes well, and wasn't as good as Cap on defense.

  When Cap compared himself with Jimmy, he had to admit that Tully had a tough choice to make. It wasn't made easier by Sable's being around. If Tully went with Cap, Sable would make noise about it. And Cap knew that if Tully picked Jimmy as the starter, Tully would be unhappy because Cap would be unhappy.

  The next day, when no one was near enough to hear him except Tully and Candy, he said, “Uh, Grandpa, I wanted to tell you …”

  He stopped, unsure of what to say.

  “What, son?” asked Tully.

  “I just want to say … Jimmy's a good quarterback too, and … if you think he should start, that's all right.”

  Tully put a hand on his shoulder. “I appreciate you telling me that, Cap.”

  “Well, I think Cap should start,” Candy said. “He's a better player than Jimmy any day.”

  Cap smiled gratefully at his sister. “I don't know. Jimmy's good.”

  Tully pointed to where the rest of the team stood waiting. “Let's get started. I have some news for everybody.”

  Cap noticed that Sable was with Jimmy and the other Panthers. He had stayed for all of yesterday's practice but had not said much.

  Tully said, “First, we have a scrimmage scheduled next Tuesday with Bee Town. We're due there at four. If you can get rides from your folks, that'd be helpful.”

  “I can help with that,” said Sable.

  Tully nodded. “Thanks.”

  “How does the scrimmage work?” Sam asked.

  “It's played under game rules, on a regulation field,” Tully said. “Each team runs a certain number of plays and then we switch. We'll have full pads and helmets, thanks to some last-minute donations we're due to receive tomorrow morning. We won't keep score, because even though we play by official rules, it's just a kind of practice. In the next few days, we need to work on special team stuff: kickoffs, receiving, and punts. Also, extra-point plays—”

  Sable cleared his throat. “Tully, you don't mind my hanging around, do you?”

  “Be my guest,” Tully replied.

  They practiced the plays they had been working on, with Jimmy and Cap alternating at quarterback, and Candy, Bobby Jo, and Gabe filling out the practice squad.

  At one point, Cap called a pitch to Hoot, going around left end with Fritz clearing away tacklers. Ben snapped and pulled to his left, Fritz thundering by his side. Cap pivoted and Hoot broke left. Cap flipped the ball behind Hoot's back and kicked the ground angrily as Tully whistled the play dead.

  “Sorry,” Cap said to Hoot, who shrugged. “We'll get 'em next time.”

  Jimmy wouldn't have done that, Cap thought. Maybe he deserves to be the starter.

  Sable strolled over. “Son, you mind a suggestion from an old fossil?” He turned to Tully. “If it's okay with you, that is.”

  Tully nodded.

  Sable picked up the football. “The reason you have trouble controlling a pitchout is partly footwork. Take a longer first step so your feet aren't too close together. When you pitch the ball, make more of a full-arm motion, not a wrist flip. 'Specially since your hands aren't big enough to control the ball all that well.”

  Sable looked at Hoot. “Make that move again, son, and I'll show you all how it's done.”

  Hoot took off as he had done for Cap, and Sable gracefully wheeled around and made a perfect pitch, which Hoot caught in full stride.

  Cap had to admit it did look better than his clumsy move.

  “Now you try it,” said Sable, taking the ball from Hoot and giving it to Cap.

  This time, Cap tried to do exactly what Sable had done and found that it made a difference. The ball was right on target.

  “There you go,” said Sable.

  “Thanks, Mr. Cash,” Cap said.

  Sable grinned. “Jimmy makes pitchouts well because I taught him what I just taught you. Pitchouts are important in this game, wouldn't you say, Tully?”

  “Uh-huh,” Tully said.

  Sable picked u
p another ball. “Listen, long as I'm going to be around anyway, why not let me help? I mean, you have your hands full with everything these fellas still have to learn, and I can split things up with you. What do you say?”

  Tully's jaw muscles were clenched, and it was clear to Cap that his grandfather wasn't delighted by the idea.

  Sable held up a hand before Tully could reply. “Now, I understand this is still your team. I'd be just an assistant.”

  Finally Tully said, “That would be fine with me, Sable. I guess it may be a little too much for one man, at that.”

  Sable chuckled. “That's the idea! And, after all, pitchouts and ball handling were never specialities of yours in our playing days, were they?”

  Cap saw Jimmy turn away, red-faced.

  6

  Tully ran practice that day, as usual. But now that Tully had accepted him as an assistant, Sable seemed to feel he had the right to comment on everything the Panthers did.

  Sometimes it would be about Tully's choice of strategy: “You better hope Sandville doesn't have any audibles to call at the line, or they'll read that defense, change plays, and short-pass you to death, with the middle open like that.”

  Sometimes it would be about the way a player carried out an assignment. Many of these comments were aimed at Cap, and they were always just loud enough for Cap to hear: “The boy just loves those bombs. As soon as a defense reads that tendency, they'll send in rushers, hurry the passes or play soft against sweeps and short gains, and look for the bomb.”

  The one he never criticized was Jimmy.

  Then, just when Tully was about to explode, Sable would give some good advice. After Candy beat Sam and caught a sideline pass from Jimmy, Sable went to the unhappy boy. “Sam, if you drop back three more yards as she comes off the line and watch her belt buckle, you can anticipate her cut. A receiver can fake with his head or with his feet, but he can't fake with the middle of his body.”

  Which, Cap saw, was valuable advice.

  Even with the tension it was a good practice, and Cap saw that the Panthers were beginning to jell as a team and become familiar with the techniques of six-man football.