Kickoff! Read Online Free PDF Page A

with at least a dozen boys staring at them, all of them wondering what was going to happen next.
    Finally, the tension broke. “Aw, we were just goofing around with ’em,” said Bryce, attempting a laugh. “Don’t get mad, Matt.”
    â€œYeah, we didn’t mean nothin’ by it,” added Boomer, as both of them backed away from the Barbers.
    â€œBetter hope not,” said Matt.
    Bryce and Boomer grabbed their helmets, then trotted out of the locker room and onto the practice field.
    Matt limped over to the bench by Tiki and Ronde and sat down. “Hey, you guys,” he said, shaking hands. “I’m Matt Clayton.”
    â€œMatt Clayton?”
    Ronde knew that name—Matt Clayton was the all-conference quarterback who’d led the Eagles to a 10–2 season and the conference championship last year!
    â€œRonde Barber,” he introduced himself. “And this is my brother, Tiki.”
    â€œGood to meet you both. And pay no attention to those two jerks. They do that to all the new kids.”
    Matt’s comment made Ronde think again of Paco’s brother, James. “Matt, could I ask you a question?” he said.
    â€œSure.”
    â€œUm, we heard something about this thing . . . it’s called Beat the Seventh Graders Day?”
    Matt laughed out loud. “Yeah, that’s classic!”
    â€œYou mean . . . ?”
    â€œIt doesn’t exist,” Matt explained. “People just talk about it to goof on the seventh graders. It always gets the new kids so scared they start freaking out—but there’s nothing to it, really.”
    â€œBut our friend’s brother said—”
    â€œAw, he was just messing with you,” Matt said. “Believe me, there’s nothing to it. I should know—I’m in ninth grade.”
    â€œYou sure?”
    â€œTotally. It’s stupid, but don’t let it get to you. Just concentrate on making the team, and don’t worry about anything else. Once you’ve got that Eagles jersey on, you’re golden around this place. Trust me.”
    Ronde felt a huge weight lift from his shoulders. He could tell from his brother’s face that Tiki felt the same way. “Thanks, man—that’s really good to know.”
    Matt laughed again. “And just ignore those two rockheads. If you make the team, they’ll be your best friends. I should know—I rely on them for protection when the blitz is coming.”
    â€œIs that how your leg got broken?” Tiki asked.
    Matt’s smile faded, and he suddenly looked sad. “Nah, I did this at camp over the summer, mountain biking. Just stupid—I shouldn’t have been taking chances.” He shook his head. “I’m lucky it wasn’t worse. I’ll be out for the first couple of games, but that’s all. If you’re trying out for quarterback, don’t get your hopes up.”
    â€œWait—we have to try out for just one position?” Ronde asked, suddenly panicking.
    â€œWell, not really. You can try out for as many positions as you want—but they’re only going to give youone, and you can’t really do your best when you’re trying out for a million positions.”
    In Peewee League, Ronde had been kick returner, wide receiver, linebacker, and defensive back. Tiki had been a running back, wide receiver, safety, and special teams player. Neither of them had ever really had a favorite position—and now they were going to have to choose just one to try out for right away!
    What if they picked the wrong one?
    A whistle sounded outside, and all the kids who were still changing hurried to finish dressing and get on the field.
    â€œWell, good luck,” Matt told them. “Don’t try to impress anybody. Just do your best. I’ll be pulling for you.”
    â€œThanks, man,” Ronde said, high-fiving him. Tiki did likewise, and the two