Cody's Varsity Rush Read Online Free PDF Page A

handle his business, just like us this year, right, Cody?”
    Cody laughed dismissively. “Yeah, whatever,” he said.
    Yeah, I hope so , he thought.

    Ward’s big defensive play turned the momentum of the game. Grant went ahead by two touchdowns before halftime, and in the second half, Brendan Clark took over the game. Early in the third quarter he sacked Minnery in his own end zone for a safety. Two series later, he collapsed the pocket, forcing a bad pass that Ward intercepted and returned for a touchdown.
    Midway through the fourth quarter, Clark bulldozed a Saint halfback behind the line of scrimmage, forcing a fumble that was pounced on by ATV. With the score 30–7, Coach Morgan sent in his second team. The backup unit earned two first downs before punting the ball away.
    Lydell was flagged for pass interference on third-and- long, which allowed the Saints to get in field goal range and make the final score a slightly more respectable 30–10.
    The third-team offense, sparked by Berringer, was driving for a possible late score when time expired. Before he joined his teammates in their stampede to the locker room, Pork Chop detoured toward the bleachers. Before Cody and the Evanses could congratulate him, he shouted, straining to be heard above the buzzing, euphoric crowd, “Code, did you see Weitz around tonight? The bleachers? The snack bar? Anywhere?”
    Cody shook his head. “Nah, dude. No sign of him. Go enjoy this. This is really cool. And you played a fierce game. Didn’t allow a single sack.”
    Pork Chop dipped his head. “Thanks, dawg. Hey, you guys gotta come join the celebration. After all, you’re Eagles too.”

    The Grant locker room was bedlam. ATV worked the room like a party host, moving from locker to locker and exchanging high fives and fist pounds with every teammate.
    When ATV arrived at Pork Chop’s locker, he clasped both hands around his face, like a vise. “That’s the way to hold it down on the O-line, big Chop. I could have driven my truck through those holes you were blasting. And I have a big truck! Your big brother woulda been proud if he could have seen you tonight!”
    Pork Chop stood—speechless—something Cody didn’t witness very often. Chop could manage only a grateful nod.
    When ATV finished his rounds he threw back his head and released a howl that reverberated off the concrete floor, steel lockers, and cinder-block walls. Then he punctuated his victory cry by flushing three urinals in quick succession.
    â€œWe should go congratulate ATV,” Bart said to Cody and Brett. They were watching the celebration from just inside the entrance.
    â€œYeah,” Cody agreed.
    The trio approached ATV, who had shucked his jersey and shoulder pads. Cody noted that his sweat-soaked gray T-shirt bore the hand-scrawled message across the chest: “100%—Every Play!”
    â€œGreat game, ATV!” Brett said. Cody and Bart nodded their agreement.
    â€œHey, thanks, freshmen!” ATV boomed. “You see how it’s done? You see how good it feels to win? Take note. That’s gonna be you out there someday!”
    â€œAnother hundred-yard game for you, huh?” Cody offered.
    â€œOne hundred and forty-six—in only three quarters! That’s 12.9 yards per carry. But who’s counting?”
    â€œThat’s awesome,” Cody said, smiling. “Hey, do you know where Clark is? He had twenty solo tackles. We counted. We wanna tell him.”
    ATV rolled his eyes and tilted his head in the direction of the wrestling room. “He’s in his chapel, just like always.”
    There was something in ATV’s voice when he said “just like always.” Cody couldn’t tell if it was disgust or bewilderment.
    â€œChapel?” Brett said. “I don’t get it.”
    â€œGo see for yourself,” ATV said with a shrug.
    The team was singing the Eagle fight song,