The Counterfeit Tackle Read Online Free PDF

were probably bewildered by that interception that had resulted in a touchdown. And they were probably tired. Whatever
     was troubling them was showing now in the way they played.
    They lost the ball to the Otters on the Otters’ thirty-six. The Otters made two plays, taking them across midfield to the
     Marlins’ thirty-eight. Then the referee blew his whistle and announced that there were four minutes left in the game.
    A pass failed to click, so the Otters punted to get the ball as close to the Marlins’ goal line as possible.
    The Marlins worked it back to their thirty-one. On the fourth down they punted. Buzz knew what they were doing. As long as
     they kept the football in Otter territory or, at least, far enough away from the Marlins’ end zone, theOtters would have little chance of scoring. The Marlins had a two-point lead. All they were interested in was letting the
     time run out.
    Frosty caught the punt and ran it back to his twenty-two. They gained a first down on a pass to Jimmy, then another first
     down on a drive through right tackle.
    Two of the four minutes were up. The ball was on the Marlins’ thirty-six. The Otters inched forward, lost five yards on an
     off-side penalty charge, and found themselves a long way from the goal line with time running out fast.
    Craig called for a double-reverse. They had only tried it once, during the first half. He handed off to Jimmy. Jimmy started
     running, then handed off to Alan. Alan swept around left end and,getting a key block from Frosty, dashed all the way down the field for a touchdown!
    This time Frosty made the extra point.
    Forty seconds later the game was over. The Otters had won, 19 to 14.
    “What a game!” said Goose as he walked off the field with Buzz. “I didn’t think we’d pull that one out.”
    Buzz smiled. “That double-reverse is neat. Why doesn’t Craig call for it more often?”
    “It isn’t smart to call for some plays too often,” explained Goose. “The other team will catch on, and then you haven’t got
     anything left to surprise them with.”
    “Oh,” said Buzz. “Guess that is smart.”
    Goose stared bewilderedly at him. “You all right, Corky?”
    Buzz looked at him. “Of course I’m all right. Why?”
    “Well, you just sounded as if you never heard of a double-reverse before.”
    Buzz’s neck reddened. “Are you kidding?” he said. He groped for a better excuse so that Goose wouldn’t get suspicious of him.
     “I just wondered why Craig didn’t call the play more often, that’s all. Hey, look who’s coming.”
    Pete Nettles had broken away from the crowd at the sideline and was running over the field toward him. A wide grin was on
     his face as if it were his hero who had pulled the last, spectacular play that had won the game.
    “Hi, Corky! Hi, Goose!”
    Buzz grinned. “Hi, Pete. How did you like the game?”
    Pete’s coming was a lifesaver. Pete,Goose and Corky were like the Three Musketeers — they were together most of the time. If Goose had started to get suspicious
     at all, Pete’s presence made him forget it completely.
    “It was sure close,” said Pete. “Good thing Goose was there to intercept that pass. Nice work, Goose.”
    “Thanks, Pete,” said Goose.
    They reached the edge of the field. Waiting for them were Pete’s parents.
    “Hello, boys,” greeted Mr. Nettles. “Nice interception, Goose. That play was the shot in the arm the boys needed.”
    “Thanks, Mr. Nettles.” Goose smiled modestly.
    “See you changed your mind about going to that Giants-Bears game, Corky,” said Mr. Nettles, smiling. “It must have been at
     the last minute, because that’swhere your dad said you two, and your sister, were heading when I saw you.”
    For the second time within the last two minutes Buzz’s neck turned hot as fire. “Yes, I did,” he said. “I… changed my mind
     at the last minute. Buzz went instead. I… thought that playing here was more important.”
    “Boy, that took a lot