Goal Line Read Online Free PDF Page A

to Manny so he could dump the ball to Tiki on the rollout.
    The play wound up with a big gain, and Ronde was impressed by both sides—Fiorilla on defense (he’d completely fooled the starting right tackle), and Manny and Tiki on offense.
    Those two seemed to have great chemistry together. Last year, with Cody Hansen at QB, there had been some problems, although the team had won the championship anyway. A scrambling quarterback like Manny was a perfect match for Tiki, with his quick run-and-cut style. “Those two are gonna tear it up!” Ronde said to himself.
    Lining up again, he found himself covering Felix’s twin, Frank. Ronde would never have known except that their numbers were different. Felix wore 89, Fred Soule’s number from last season. Frank wore Joey Gallagher’s old number, 88.
    Once again Ronde played his man to perfection.
    â€œWow!” said Frank after Ronde deprived him of a sure touchdown. “You sure can play, for a little guy.”
    Ronde nodded his head. “That’s right, big fella. Like I told your brother, don’t call me ‘little guy.’ Just remember—good things come in small packages.”
    And then it hit him—the contest! He’d just come up with the perfect saying for his essay.
    â€œSo, what do you think?” Ronde asked Tiki and his mom as they sat together at dinner that night.
    â€œâ€˜Good things come in small packages’?” Tiki said with a crooked grin. “I guess you might as well go with it.”
    â€œTiki Barber,” said their mom sharply, “are you teasing your brother?”
    â€œNo, Mom!” Tiki said quickly. “I—I was just saying I like his topic.”
    â€œAnd what is
your
topic going to be?” she pressed him.
    Tiki shrugged. “I haven’t got a clue, to tell you the truth. I’m totally stuck.”
    â€œDon’t give up,” Mrs. Barber told him. “You’ll think of something, I’m sure.”
    â€œI’m sure I’m going to get an F,” Tiki muttered.
    â€œWhat? What did you just say?” their mom demanded.
    â€œN-nothing, Mom.”
    â€œI heard you, young man. Now, don’t you go giving up on yourself. I won’t stand for it, and neither should you.”
    â€œYes, Mom,” Tiki said, looking down at his plate.
    But she wasn’t done with him yet. “Your brother couldn’t think of anything either—until he
did
,” she pointed out. “And you will too. Keep trying, never give up, and you’ll find the perfect saying for you.”
    She patted him on the arm, then went into the living room to get something. While she was gone, Tiki muttered, “The perfect saying for me … Well, I guess I could say ‘Good things come in
big
packages.’”
    â€œI’m gonna tell Mom you said that.”
    â€œDon’t you do it,” Tiki warned.
    â€œTell me what?” said Mrs. B., coming back into the kitchen.
    â€œNothing,” Ronde said. “We were just goofing around.”
    â€œYeah,” Tiki said, glad Ronde was willing to let it slide.
    â€œTiki,” said their mom, “if this problem was about football, you know you’d find a solution.”
    â€œI guess that’s true,” Tiki admitted.
    â€œWell, school is just as important. You’re a good writer. You have nothing to be afraid of. Just bring the same attitude you bring to the football field.”
    â€œYeah,” Ronde said. “Play proud, Bro.”
    Tiki’s eyes went wide. “That’s it!” he cried, jumping out of his chair. “‘Play proud!’ That’s my saying!”
    â€œWait a minute,” Ronde said. “That’s not a famous saying!”
    â€œIt is in
this
house,” Tiki shot back.
    Mrs. Barber settled it for them. “Well, if it’s not famous, it ought to be. It was good enough to win the Eagles a championship,