The Team That Couldn't Lose Read Online Free PDF

seventy-five years.
     Come to help me rake up the leaves, did you?”
    Chip smiled nervously. “We could, if you’d like,” he said. “But we came for something else, Mr. McFall.”
    “I figured you did.” A crooked smile broke over Mr. McFall’s weathered face. “Something about those new plays?”
    “Yes. We’re trying to find out who’s sending them to us. Since you said it’s not you, we think it could be someone who played
     on the high school team when you did. Can you remember the names of the guys you played with, Mr. McFall?”
    “Well, now, let me think.” Mr. McFall scratched the stubble of beard on his chin. “Got a good memory, should be able to. The
     two halfbacks were Ken Strong and Mike Podack. Fullback was . . . let’s see . . . Galloping Jim Fox.”
    Chip’s eyes brightened. “Just a minute, Mr. McFall. Can you get a pencil and paper and write those names down for us?”
    “Sure can,” said Mr. McFall. Then he yelled toward the house, “Minnie! Bring out a paper and pencil!”
    A moment later the back door opened and a woman wearing a blue apron over a yellow dress poked her head out. “What’re you
     yelling your head off about, Jasper?”
    “Bring me a paper and pencil!” Mr. McFall yelled again. “Us men’ve got something real important to talk about.”
    She disappeared into the house and returned with paper and pencil, grumbling about why didn’t he go after them himself. While
     Mr. McFall named his football teammates, Chip wrote their names and the positions they had played. Mr. McFall named only those
     who had played regularly. There were a few, he admitted, whose names he couldn’t remember.
    The name of one player started Chip thinking. That was Oswald Kash, Coach Kash’sfather. He had played quarterback. Chip could hardly control his excitement as he thanked Mr. McFall and took off with Splash.
    “I think we’ve got the answer, Splash,” he said. “Remember what Phil said about the paper looking like ordinary computer paper?
     Bet it comes from Mr. Kash’s company! Bet it’s
him
who’s been sending Phil the plays. He must’ve gotten them from his father.”
    “Why would
he
send them to him?”
    “Because he wants him to have a winning team.”
    “How can we prove it was him?”
    “We’ll have to make him confess,” Chip said.
    “Confess? How are we going to make him do that?”
    “Simple,” said Chip. A smile broadened on his face. “I’ll just call and ask him! But I think we’ve got this thing solved.”

9
    C hip and Splash hurried to Chip’s house. Chip found Coach Kash’s number and quickly dialed it. Coach Kash answered after two
     rings.
    “This is Chip Chase,” Chip said, hoping his voice wasn’t wavering.
    “Chip! This is a surprise. I’ve been following the team’s record in the town’s newspaper. Sounds like Phil Wayne has really
     honed your skills in the past weeks. He must have some secret weapon I didn’t.”
    Chip cleared his throat. “Well, that’s what I’m calling about, sir,” he said. “Coach,someone is sending Phil plays in the mail every week. But he doesn’t know who it is.”
    “Well, Chip, I’m sorry not to be able to help you, but it’s not me.” Chip could hear the surprise in Coach Kash’s voice. “I’ve
     been keeping up with the team, but that’s all I’ve had time for since starting this new job.”
    Chip was crestfallen. “Oh. Well, thanks.”
    “Just out of curiosity, why did you think it was me?”
    Chip explained about the connection between Oswald Kash and Jasper McFall. Mr. Kash chuckled. “Ah, yes. I often wondered if
     Mr. McFall was coming to our games to watch you kids play — or to watch me coach so he could report back to Dad.”
    Chip suddenly had another idea. “Mr. Kash, do you think your dad could be the one sending in the plays?”
    Mr. Kash was silent for a moment. Thenhe said, “I’d be surprised if he was. I mean, why would he send them to a man he doesn’t know