The Underdogs

The Bulldogs beat Camden, then LaGrange. One evening, Joe takes Will to the closed-down factory in Forbes. He talks about his high school football days and mentions how his coach, Carson, would pump up the crowd at Friday night pep rallies ahead of Saturday game days. Joe also mentions that Coach Carson will be retiring at the end of this season. He reminisces aloud about how impressively loud the high school crowds were. He suggests that the Bulldogs might inspire the same kind of excitement if their team goes to the playoffs.

By halftime of Saturday’s game, the Morganville Jaguars, a large team, is beating the Bulldogs. By faking out a linebacker early in the second half, Will gets the Bulldogs’ first touchdown. With four minutes to go, Hannah makes an interception that stops the Jaguars from scoring.

When it’s their turn to advance the ball, the Bulldogs get to the 26-yard line through a series of strong plays. With eight seconds left, they are close to the end zone. During a huddle, Chris tells Will that he will clear a hole for him. He blocks the middle linebacker as soon as he passes the ball to Will. Will scores, and the Bulldogs win.