Nathan

Nick Low

The school bell rang noisily as Nathan walked out of his class and headed for the field. It was the moment he had been waiting for since he was denied a spot last year. It was tryouts day for the football team. 

“Well, boys, you’re all here for one reason: to join the greatest high school football team in the country,” said Mark, the assistant coach, stepping forward from behind Coach Rick. “This year we sadly have fewer spots than usual. This is because we’re going to be giving all of the seniors priority on the team. Love it or hate it, feel free to walk out now if you’re not okay with being denied a spot. So in total, we're going to have 5 roster spots available. We have 32 boys here, the numbers just don't work out well for most of you.” The kids looked in shock from this news. 

Nathan whispered to his friend Griffin sitting next to him. “Well, things aren’t looking great for me,” Nathan said in a lighthearted voice. Nathan had experienced a life-threatening injury when he was 5 when he lost control of his bike and went off the side of a mountain. The doctors came to the conclusion that they had to amputate his arm to give him a chance to live. 

Tryouts went by in a flash and Nathan felt like he was guaranteed a spot on the roster. Everyone had watched in disbelief as he Made flashy plays on almost every ball that was thrown to him . As Nathan walked off the field over to his mom’s car, he spotted the seniors standing around in a circle laughing and joking around with each other. Looking directly at him was Jared. “One-second boys,” Jared said to his friends as he jogged over to Nathan. 

“Yo, bro wait up one second, Jared said as Nathan was walking over to his car. “Nice job today.” 

“Thanks,” Nathan said humbly. 

“I can tell you’re going to be making some pretty nice plays at receiver this year. I mean not many freshmen get the chance to play, but me and coach were shocked by some of those plays you made today. I’ll be sure you get on the roster when he makes the final decisions tonight. Hold me to that.” 

“Thank you,” said Nathan. “Well, I don't want to keep your mom waiting so I’m going to head back over,” Jared said as he jogged off back to the field.  

The next morning Nathan walked down to the breakfast table. “How did you sleep?” asked Karyn, Nathans’s mom. Nathan sat in silence. “What’s wrong Honey?” 

“I’m going to walk to school today.” “I’m happy to give you a ride.” 

“I’m fine.” 

“Do you need a ride after practice today?”

“No, it got canceled,” Nathan said as he walked out the door and slammed it behind him. As Nathan walked to his first class he saw Jared talking to coach Rick in the hallway. Nathan tucked his face into his hoodie so they wouldn’t notice him. “I know what you’re saying but I promised the kid a spot, he trusted me!” 

“I’ll let you know but I don't think we have the space for a kid like him.”

 “Well I have to go to class, but let me know if you can find a spot for him,” Jared said to coach Rick. 

“Remember this stays between the two of us,'' said coach.

That night Nathan was finishing up his homework when he got an email from coach Rick. 

Dear Nathan,

 Since the first day we saw you play, you shocked all of us with your abilities and defied our expectations. Lucky for you one of our players has been recruited to Alabama University and has elected to sit the season out. Because of this, a spot opened up on the roster and we are happy to announce you are now part of the Don Valley High School Kings Football Team. (Nathan felt a tear drip down his cheek but this time it was a tear of joy.)

The next day

“Without further ado, I would like to welcome our new member of the team Nathan castell.” Nathan stood up next to coach rick. “Everyone please give him a warm welcome. “Now, let’s get into some drills shall we?” said coach Rick.

Nathan immediately impressed his teammates just like tryouts, making diving plays and catching balls over kids nearly double his height; nobody knew how he did it. All of his teammates were cheering him on, amazed by what he could do. And then there was Bruce. 

Bruce was a six foot, four 250 pound, junior who didn't like the kid one bit. Bruce couldn't stand not constantly being the center of attention, and Nathan stole this from him. After Nathan made a miraculous play after miraculous play Bruce decided he was tired of everything being about Nathan. Nathan ran a slant route and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Bruce coming full speed right into him. Bruce’s face was full of anger and fear. At this point there wasn't anything Nathan could do but absorb the hit. Nathan leaped into the air and as the ball collided with his fingertips a force hit his hip and sent him flying in the air. Nathan was knocked out cold. 

His teammates rushed to the scene and huddled around the unconscious body.  Coach Rick walked up to Bruce and stared him down. 

“Get off this field and don't ever come back.”

  “Coach I didn't mean to it just... happened.” 

“Get out.” 

Nathan woke up the next day with a pounding headache. His mom sat by his bed with tea in her hand. 

“Hey buddy how do you feel?”

 “What happened?” Nathan said.

“Coach told me you got hit hard in practice, and you got a pretty good dink on your head when you hit the ground. But there is some good news. The doctor said you could return next week and play in your team's first game. But you just have to promise me you’ll be safe.” 

“Yup, that's a deal,” Nathan said.

                                                      1 week later

The score was 27-23 with 5 seconds left. The kings had driven down the field and set up for a fourth downplay. Jared got all the boys into a huddle. 

“Alright, John you run a post, and Nathan you run a flag. Alright, let's go guys this is what we play for.” As Jared snapped the ball, Nathan ran his route like it was the last one he would ever run. As he sprinted to the sideline he suddenly saw the ball soaring through the air. Jared had chosen him out of all people to put the game on. He wasn’t going to let him down. The ball twisted and spun and continued to carry through the air. He wasn’t going to make it. With full force, Nathan extended his body and trapped the ball into his body as he hit the ground in the endzone. There was a moment of silence and then chearing erupted throughout the stadium. He had done it. He had not just made the team but he had won the game for the Knights football team.