Chapter 5: public enemy number one

Zach and Lisa are on their way to practice. On their way there they notice a recruiting rally in front of the main campus building.

Join the Jac's! The most exclusive fraternity on campus!

Marcus walks up to Zach and Lisa.

That's Josh's frat, your predecessor.

Frank's nephew, right?

Yup, that's the one. Are you going to join?

No, that's not my style.

A lot of guys are going to try and get in because they think it's going to get them girls.

That mentality sucks, makes me sick. Besides, I have a girlfriend now.

Lisa is shocked by the news and elbows him in the ribs.

What?! When did that happen?!

Ow! Yesterday, during lunch. Was that elbow really necessary?

Yes, this is a big deal!

Calm down, it's fresh so we're still getting to know each other.

It's still exciting!

Lisa's excitement got the attention of the frat recruiters. From the back a well dressed guy with slicked back blonde hair approaches them.

Marcus, good to see you. Looking to join us?

No thanks, I'm good.

My offer stands if you change your mind, I see you brought along my replacement. Nice to meet you Zach. I'm Josh Reeder, the president of the Jac's.

Frank's nephew, I've heard about you. Sorry about taking your job.

I already found a different occupation with my fraternity, don't worry about it. Can I interest you in joining perhaps?

No thanks, football is going to be keeping me busy.

I understand. We're going to be having a lot of parties at our exclusive dorm, the mansion on the eastern side of the campus. And you're free to drop by anytime.

Sure... I might do that. Anyway, we have to get to practice.

Of course, don't be a stranger!

They start walking towards the stadium and Lisa can't shake the feeling of being disgusted by Josh.

That Josh was a massive douchebag, something feels off about him.

Zach nods in agreement.

Yeah, not my type of person at all.

Marcus lets out a big sigh.

You guys don't even know the half of it, he only wanted to play quarterback to get attention from women. As if that wasn't bad enough, he's been accused of getting girls drunk and being "inappropriate" with them multiple times.

Lisa's face goes red with anger.

What a piece of shit! How has nothing been done about that?!

He's the dean's nephew, Frank sweeps everything under the rug and makes it disappear.

Zach shakes his head in disappointment.

That's a big problem... but we can't do anything about it right now, we'll talk about it later.

They spend practice on getting the entire offense in sync. Afterwards they all huddle up and Zach gives a little speech to boost morale.

Good job today guys, things are starting to come together more and more with every practice. We're going to surprise a lot of people if we keep this up. They talk down to us like we're a joke! We're not going to accept that, are we?!

The whole team answers in unison.

HELL NO!!!

That's what I'm talking about! I'll see you all rested and fresh in a couple days. But first we're going to clean up everything, we're not going to make coach Turner do it all by herself anymore.

Without question or protest the whole teams starts cleaning up and putting away all the equipment.

Zach takes a shower and returns to the field and sees that Lauren is still there.

Why are you sitting here all by yourself coach?

I told you, you can call me Lauren when the others aren't around. My dad is dropping of my son in a little bit, I'm waiting for them.

You want some company while you wait? We can go over the playbook if you want?

That's a good idea, I was thinking that we could use your mobility to our advantage.

Like moving the pocket around?

Exactly, you roll out to the right or left with a horde of blockers. From there you can read the defense and decide to either run it yourself or pass downfield.

Keep them guessing, I like it. We can also use that with play action and bootleg to the other side, from that concept we can set up a screen behind the horde of blockers going to other way.

Or keep it yourself and use the misdirection for a big play downfield.

That would also help with making it easy for the rest of the team to memorize it, since there are a lot of variations from the same play. Because of that the offensive line doesn't have to learn a bunch of different things.

True, we call their protection plus the variation for the receivers and running back. Something like, convoy right running back screen.

Exactly, it's simple and helps with keeping preparation minimal early in the season. We can always add stuff over time.

Laurens father approaches with her son as they're "nerding out" over football.

Mommy!

He runs up to Lauren and gives her a big hug.

There's my big man! How was school, did you have fun today?

Her father holds out his hand to Zach as Lauren is talking with her son.

Nice to meet you Zachary.

You too mister Turner. Coach told me that she was your shadow when you were coaching yourself.

She most certainly was, I'm happy that she got an opportunity herself.

It only makes sense to me, we just went through the playbook and she clearly knows what she's doing.

I would like to take a look at that playbook if you don't mind Lauren.

Sure. Zach, this is my son Caleb.

Hey Caleb. So you're the assistant coach I've heard so much about.

Caleb laughs.

I don't know about that. But I like football and get to have fun with my mom, so I hope that I can come to some practices in the future.

Since your mom and grandpa are talking, how about you show me how far you can throw?

Ok, but it's not going to be anywhere near as far as you...

That doesn't matter, you have plenty time left to grow. In a couple years you can play quarterback for you mom.

Zach helps Caleb with his grip on the ball and his footwork, while Lauren and her father are going through the playbook. In only a couple minutes Caleb manages to throw a consistent spiral.

Good job, high five! You'll make a fine QB one day.

Thanks Zach, my friends are going to be so jealous that you taught me this stuff.

Lauren gives Caleb a high five when they walk back over to them.

Good job kiddo, I'm so proud of you!

What do you think about Lauren's plays mister Turner?

It's well thought out. You have to play to your own strengths, otherwise you'll be chasing your opponent around and that's a losing game.

I agree. Anyway, I'm going to call it a day. See you in a couple days coach!

Bye Zach!

He picks up his backpack, turns around and sees Rebecca sitting on bleachers with Lisa.

Hey, how long have you two been sitting there?

Rebecca gets up and gives him a kiss.

Long enough to see you with the kid, you are so cute!

Lisa nods.

Zach is one big softie when it comes to kids.

There doesn't seem to be a father around so I can relate to him.

Rebecca takes a hold of Zach's hand.

So nice of you to be there for him like that. Do you want to go have dinner together?

I'm starving after practice, and Lisa is always hungry. Luckily, she shakes off all those calories at cheer practice.

Lisa punches Zach on the shoulder and sticks out her tongue.

I take it back, he's isn't nice at all. This is his true nature Rebecca, you can still get out if you want.

She laughs and squeezes his hand.

I think I'll keep him for now, but I'm keeping an eye on you mister.

A couple days later. Frank comes by after practice to pay Zach and Lauren another visit.

Looking good out there!

Thanks, getting better every practice. Right coach?

Totally, it's all coming together.

That's what I like to hear. Good thing too, since I managed to get us a practice game against our rivals.

Lauren is both shocked and irritated by Frank's disregard for her opinion or input on the matter.

You did what?! We're not even close to being ready for that!

Zach feels the same.

Why didn't you at least talk with us about it before you did that?!

Frank shrugs.

You looked ready to me.

Wouldn't the people who are actually involved know better?!

Sorry Zach, it's too late now. The game is on Sunday, so you have one more practice to get ready. Good luck!

Lauren lets out a frustrated groan as soon as Frank has left.

This is so typical, I should have seen something like this coming.

We'll make it through together.

It's not like I'm have doubts, this is Frank setting me up for failure. He's throwing us into a game unprepared so he can use me as a scapegoat when we lose. That way he can fire me and hire another coach before the season even starts.

Zach does his best to calm her down.

I'm not going to let that happen. We're not going to act as if this is a lost cause, we're going to work hard and get through this.

You're right, sorry for losing my composure.

Marcus walks up to them and joins the conversation.

Is everything alright coach? Why was the dean here?

He came to inform us that we have an exhibition game on Sunday.

That's way too soon!

I know, but we have no say in the matter unfortunately.

Then we'll have to play our butt off, nothing else to it.

Zach gets up and fist bumps him.

Exactly, that's the proper mentality to have. Let's go tell the rest of the team so we're on the same page.