Silo: "Once is enough.Same ending."
After the field was cleared, East Pike took the following kickoff and began a drive that would consume six minutes. For one brief period in the second half, they used their superior talent to chew up sixty yards, though every inch was contested. Their seamless execution of the first half was long gone, replaced by stutter steps and uncertainty. The sky was falling. One massive choke was under way, and they were powerless to stop it.
Every handoff drew a furious attack from all eleven defenders. Every short pass ended with the receiver crumpled on the ground. There was no time for long passes; Silo could not be contained. On fourth and two from the Messina twenty-eight, East Pike foolishly went for the first down. The quarterback faked a pitch to the left, bootlegged to the right, looking for the tight end. The tight end, however, had been mauled at the line by Donnie Utley, whose twin was blitzing like a mad dog. Ronnie caught the quarterback from behind, stripped the ball like he'd been taught, flung him to the ground, and the Spartans, trailing 31-21, were in business with five thirty-five to go in the game.
There's something wrong withNeely's right hand, not a single pass attempt in the second half. When the defense is on the field he keeps it buried in an ice bucket. East Pike has it figured out—they're in man coverage on the wideouts, everybody else is packed along the line of scrimmage.
Jaeger: "It was broken, wasn't it?"
Paul: "Yes, it was broken."
Neely just nodded.
Jaeger: "How'd you break it,Neely ?"
Silo: "A locker-room incident."
Neely was silent.
First and ten from the Spartan thirty-nine, Curry wide right, motion left, pitch right side to Marcus Mabry, who gets four, maybe five very tough yards. Devon Bond is all over the field.Must be a linebacker's dream, not worrying about pass coverage, just stalking the football. Spartans huddle quickly, sprint to the line, they can hear the clock.Quick snap, dive to Chenault, right behind Silo Mooney, who is just slaughtering people in the middle of field.
Silo: "I like that—slaughtering."
Donnie: "That was putting it mildly. Frank missed a block on a sweep, and Silo punched him in the huddle."