It was the end of the forth quarter and this game is so important. This game depends on if we go to play in the championship or not. All our sweat, blood, and bruise where all for this game. We have made it this far there is no need to quit. Last year our team the Regulators made it this far and we lost by one touchdown. It wasn’t going to happen again especially my senior year my last year at this school. We had a really good team going on; first we had the best running back in the state Roger Williams and me the best middle line backer in the state since last year.
It was the last two minutes of the quarter. We were up by 3 points and they had the ball at the 54 yard line. It was 3rd and 8. They set up in I formation which means they were doing either a run to the running back up the middle or a QB draw where the running back is the lead backer. So I knew I had to hit him off from the side, because if I go up the middle I get blocked out. It was raining out that night. “green 84 green 84 set….hut” the ball was hiked I was right it was a QB draw I dropped back left then went in and I got blocked out by the left guard. “He got a 40 yard run on that play.
“TIMEOUT” my coach hollered. “Reggie what you in the hell are u thinking get your butt in that hole and blow it up and get a tackle, look hear guys I will not let my team loose right now, work hard and hold them for the last minute”. I try to pump them up “alright boys no more #$?!*#! Around its time to keep them were they are” “regulators on 3…1, 2,

3, REGULATERS”! The ball was hiked they where doing a pass play to get it quick in the in zone I run right through the line and straight for the quarter back I left my area so the QB was just about to throw it when I just nailed him hard going full speed right into his gut…….GET THE BALL. I fail to realize the ball landed right in my arms and I just ran as hard as I could to my in zone.
The 40, the 30, the 20 he will go all the way, TOUCHDOWN!!!! The crowed went crazy. One of the other teammates talked me in the in zone. Oh *@#$ I blacked out and was lying on the floor. When I woke up I was in the hospital. I tied to get up my body was aching and my ribs hurt so bad. I fell back asleep….when I woke up there was a doctor putting a needle in me. I ask them what happened. They said I broke a few ribs and I had internal bleeding in my stomach.
Next four day, I was in and out of test rooms with the doctors taking test to me, I wasn’t even worried about me I was more worried about my football team and how much I felt I let them down. We where just one week from championship game and, my team needed me and I needed them. My family came to visit me in the hospital and we talked for a little bit and they said I might not be able to play in the championships. That crushed my heart but, I wanted to here it from the doctors. We called them in and they said I wouldn’t be able to. When I heard that I felt some tears run down my face. This was mostly personal but I am not selfish and also thought about my teammates. Around 5pm my girlfriend came to see me, she walked in gave me a hug and a kiss. We talked and talked and she knew how much this game meant to me and how much I wanted to play. The next day was when all my teammates came to visit me. They gave me high fives and hugs they all wanted to know if I could play in the game. “We need u Reggie your part of the team and the best linebacker in the state” our QB said. I shed a few tears then and said “sorry boy’s u know how much I wish to be out there playing with you guys and working my heart out but I will be watching the game on TV from here cheering you on, this was my dream to play in this game like last year we almost did but lost and we don’t want to make this team get state again the second time in a row” I felt like a total let down.
The next day was game day, and I as sitting in my hospital bed so mad I couldn’t play in the champion ship my senior year. There was no next year, this game was my dream and it crushed me.
A lot of the players got hurt, a lot of fumbles and turnovers. The game was coming towards the end. It was all tied up in the last minute of the game. No one scored so the game went into over time. They got the ball off so we kicked off to them; ball was kicked to their 40 yard line. They got a 20 yard run on it. First play was a deep pass and was cached at the twenty. Next, play didn’t get a yard and same for the third play. 4th down and they did a QB sweep to the right side and got right on the goal line. They called for a measurement with the chains. It was 2 inches from the in zone. Our team went crazy all cheering and what not, they got in the huddle and the coach says “no time to fool around, were going to get that ball and run it down there throats and win this game for Reggie make him proud”. Our QB said “REGGIE on three. One, two, three…..REGGIE”.
Game ended…..REGULATORS won the game. I sat and cried that my team played for me and I wasn’t allowed to join my team….my family on that field.