After a super cell blitz by Big Storm Friday night, it was fourth and about a 100 miles to go, or so it seemed, for the good guys of Channel Lane.
Huddling up, Red - the CL quarterback - knelt on one knee, and explained a do-or-die play, a deep route, if you will, that could conceivably decide the outcome of the day.
"I have that Wheeling feeling," Red said. "But coach Jimbo wants something more creative, something that will take everybody by surprise."
"What!" said CL fullback Jimmy B. "Something more creative? I kind of like that Wheeling play."
"So do I," added CL halfback Blonde Bomber, a.k.a. BB.
Linemen RJ and Techman remained quiet. Their job was simple - block like crazy, and hope that another Big Storm super cell blitz wasn't coming.
Wheeling feeling was essentially play action with Red faking a handoff to Jimmy B, and then dropping back to pass to Blonde Bomber coming out of the backfield.
It was a simple but effective play that had often worked in games during the season.
But now there was going to be a twist (and a turn here and there), and it was something the team had never attempted before - Operation Deep Route.
"Here's what we're going to do," Red explained.
All eyes were on Red. Everyone knew there was a lot at stake, but if anyone could do it, Red could.
"It'll start out as a play action, only I'm going to give the ball to Jimmy B this time," Red said.
Jimmy B cocked his head to one side.
"Sounds like a draw play to me," he said.
Red shook her head.
"No, no," she said. "Intead of running up the middle, you will turn around immediately and lateral the football back to me."
Blonde Bomber grinned.
"Ah-ha," she said. "A flea flicker."
Red didn't smile, and nodded.
"Sort of," Red continued.
Everyone was getting ready to break huddle when Red motioned everyone to stop.
"BB (Red's nickname for Blonde Bomber), you will stay put in the backfield, and when I drop back, I'm going to give you a shuffle pass."
BB just stood there in disbelief.
"There won't be enough time, especially if Big Storm has a pass rush," Blonde Bomber said.
Red disagreed.
"There will be time, because RJ, Jimmy B and I will be blocking like there's no tomorrow," Red said.
"What about me?" Techman asked.
Red smiled.
"This is where we're going to get really creative," Red said.
The CL signal caller paused.
"You Techman are going to be a tackle eligible receiver," Red continued, "and you will do a curl on the Cambridge sideline, and then go straight all the way to Steubenville and the house."
Lining up, Channel Lane's trick play worked to perfection, and Techman was basically uncovered when he hauled in BB's deep route throw.
TD Delivery.
Game over. The good guys, overcoming so much adversity after the unexpected blitz, had won.
Note: Game based on a true story - sort of.
Ron Johnston is the Marietta Times sports editor and can be reached at 376-5441 or at rjohnston@mariettatimes.com
