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Authors: Matt Christopher
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doubtful.
But in the end, those who agreed with Parker were louder and stronger than those opposed. The doubters finally had to go along
with the idea.
The first time they tried it, Spike messed upthe signal. An offside penalty was called against the Kudzus.
“See, it isn’t going to work,” he said.
“Come on, Spike,” said Cris. “Give it a fair shot.”
They tried it again. And again, there was confusion. But this time, both sides got things mixed up — and it turned out well
for the Kudzus. They gained seven yards.
“Maybe that’s the way. Just keep messing up and see what happens,” joked Fabian back in the huddle.
“No, we have to get it straight,” insisted Parker.
Once more they tried the last-minute switch.
This time it worked like a precision engine.
Spike had more time to position himself. His pass to Cris was right on the mark. Cris was all by himself. Before he was brought
down by a Piranha safety, he had gained twenty-five yards.
The Kudzu offense was in Piranha territory for the first time that day.
12
T he guys on the bench were jumping up and down with excitement.
It carried over to the field.
By switching signals at the last minute, the offense stormed down the gridiron. In just four quick plays, they crossed into
the end zone for their first score.
The talented toe of Huey Walker made the conversion good.
The scoreboard now read: Piranhas 7, Kudzus 7.
The kick to the Piranhas wasn’t that great, but it kept them in their own territory.
“Okay, defense, it’s your turn!” shouted Coach Isaac. “Spike, get some rest.” Then, in the nextbreath, he asked Spike, “What’s going on out there?”
Spike explained the change.
“I never would have figured you guys could do it,” said the coach. “But I’m glad it’s working. Might as well keep it up.”
Meanwhile, the Piranhas were in control of the ball.
They were playing it a little safer. Their quarterback kept the ball on the ground as much as possible.
Even though the Kudzus defense was fired up, the Piranhas managed to grind out yard after yard. After three first downs, they
were within striking distance of the goal.
But with ten to go on the Kudzus’ thirty, they tried a draw play that misfired.
The Kudzus defense broke through for the blitz and a seven-yard loss.
The next play produced even worse results for the Piranhas. A pass to their wide receiver was intercepted by Ned Bushmiller.
The Kudzusafety ran with it until he was forced offside on the enemy’s forty yard line.
The crowd went wild.
The offense grabbed their helmets and rushed onto the field. Biting cold wind and frost on the hard ground meant nothing.
They could smell a chance at victory.
There was no question about what the Kudzu offense had to do. It would be Parker’s system, one play at a time.
If the Piranhas got wise, they could always shift back to their regular signals.
They didn’t have to.
On the very first play, Spike slipped the ball into Fabian’s hands. The waiting fullback sprung forward. At the line, Tripp
Collins and Darren Shultz had opened a big hole for him. He sped through it into the Piranhas’ backfield, where he was brought
down. It was a gain of eight yards.
On the next play, Spike spun around and shoved the ball into Parker’s waiting hands. Parkerraced toward Moose. The Kudzus’ tight end blocked his man and cleared the way for the charging tailback.
It was all the daylight Parker needed. With lightning-quick moves, he wove his way through the few Piranhas left standing.
He sped down-field and crossed the goal line.
Stacy was the first to reach him. The wide receiver gave him a big hug. The rest of the team followed with slaps on the back,
high fives, and cheers.
They got into position for the conversion. Huey kicked a wobbler. It just made it into fair territory to put the Kudzus ahead,
14-7.
But as the play cleared, Parker rolled over on the ground. He started to get up, then
But in the end, those who agreed with Parker were louder and stronger than those opposed. The doubters finally had to go along
with the idea.
The first time they tried it, Spike messed upthe signal. An offside penalty was called against the Kudzus.
“See, it isn’t going to work,” he said.
“Come on, Spike,” said Cris. “Give it a fair shot.”
They tried it again. And again, there was confusion. But this time, both sides got things mixed up — and it turned out well
for the Kudzus. They gained seven yards.
“Maybe that’s the way. Just keep messing up and see what happens,” joked Fabian back in the huddle.
“No, we have to get it straight,” insisted Parker.
Once more they tried the last-minute switch.
This time it worked like a precision engine.
Spike had more time to position himself. His pass to Cris was right on the mark. Cris was all by himself. Before he was brought
down by a Piranha safety, he had gained twenty-five yards.
The Kudzu offense was in Piranha territory for the first time that day.
12
T he guys on the bench were jumping up and down with excitement.
It carried over to the field.
By switching signals at the last minute, the offense stormed down the gridiron. In just four quick plays, they crossed into
the end zone for their first score.
The talented toe of Huey Walker made the conversion good.
The scoreboard now read: Piranhas 7, Kudzus 7.
The kick to the Piranhas wasn’t that great, but it kept them in their own territory.
“Okay, defense, it’s your turn!” shouted Coach Isaac. “Spike, get some rest.” Then, in the nextbreath, he asked Spike, “What’s going on out there?”
Spike explained the change.
“I never would have figured you guys could do it,” said the coach. “But I’m glad it’s working. Might as well keep it up.”
Meanwhile, the Piranhas were in control of the ball.
They were playing it a little safer. Their quarterback kept the ball on the ground as much as possible.
Even though the Kudzus defense was fired up, the Piranhas managed to grind out yard after yard. After three first downs, they
were within striking distance of the goal.
But with ten to go on the Kudzus’ thirty, they tried a draw play that misfired.
The Kudzus defense broke through for the blitz and a seven-yard loss.
The next play produced even worse results for the Piranhas. A pass to their wide receiver was intercepted by Ned Bushmiller.
The Kudzusafety ran with it until he was forced offside on the enemy’s forty yard line.
The crowd went wild.
The offense grabbed their helmets and rushed onto the field. Biting cold wind and frost on the hard ground meant nothing.
They could smell a chance at victory.
There was no question about what the Kudzu offense had to do. It would be Parker’s system, one play at a time.
If the Piranhas got wise, they could always shift back to their regular signals.
They didn’t have to.
On the very first play, Spike slipped the ball into Fabian’s hands. The waiting fullback sprung forward. At the line, Tripp
Collins and Darren Shultz had opened a big hole for him. He sped through it into the Piranhas’ backfield, where he was brought
down. It was a gain of eight yards.
On the next play, Spike spun around and shoved the ball into Parker’s waiting hands. Parkerraced toward Moose. The Kudzus’ tight end blocked his man and cleared the way for the charging tailback.
It was all the daylight Parker needed. With lightning-quick moves, he wove his way through the few Piranhas left standing.
He sped down-field and crossed the goal line.
Stacy was the first to reach him. The wide receiver gave him a big hug. The rest of the team followed with slaps on the back,
high fives, and cheers.
They got into position for the conversion. Huey kicked a wobbler. It just made it into fair territory to put the Kudzus ahead,
14-7.
But as the play cleared, Parker rolled over on the ground. He started to get up, then
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