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couldn’t play that night. He knew it was higher than most schools, even higher than the NCAA, but this was high school and if they couldn’t handle high school work and football how could they ever manage college? He even lectured all the teachers about favors. His boys didn’t need special treatment. They also had to serve the community instead of their community serving them—as was so common with small-town athletes.
    Bennett could only assume that considering his background, the town hadn’t expected his ideals, but everything had turned out for the best, and he’d gotten them on his side eventually. The state championship his first year had helped considerably. And the two since then. It also didn’t hurt that the team always won their division. If any of them had stopped to consider Bennett’s own personal situation, they would see exactly why the coach felt the way he did. Working hard was great. Passion was important. But things could be ripped away from you at any time.
    These young men needed something else; their whole life couldn’t be football. If it worked out for them, if they were one of the very few lucky ones who ended up in the NFL making millions? Great. If not, a backup plan was in place. Statistically speaking, all of them would probably need it. Bennett did have two former players just starting their first season in the NFL and about three more at universities and on their way. But he wanted every boy in college after they left his program. He wanted to be more than the guy who taught them plays and ran drills. He wanted to make them into well-rounded men. Be a positive influence in their lives. Try to keep them from making some of the mistakes he did. His biggest of which had been thinking that football was everything and the only dream worth striving for was making millions in the pros.
    A backup plan was necessary.

 
    Two
    Callie knocked on Principal Jensen’s door. He’d peeked his head into the gym during practice to ask if she’d swing by his office on her way out. So here she was. Curious and, admittedly, a little nervous. Getting called to the office normally wasn’t a good sign.
    â€œAh, Callie, thanks for coming by.” He lifted his hand and motioned to the chair across from him. She sat and folded her hands in her lap, trying to show confidence she wasn’t really feeling at the moment.
    â€œI hope nothing’s wrong,” she said with an awkward smile.
    â€œHeavens no, of course not. Relax.” He chuckled, his bearded double chin shaking against his tie. “Sorry, I should have made that clear earlier.”
    Callie let out a breath and laughed along with him. “Well, that’s a relief.”
    â€œLet me assure you that everyone’s been very happy with you so far. The girls winning that award at camp … what was it?”
    â€œActually, there were several. They received a Superior rating for their home routine, our captains won a Silver Award, the team received a Spirit Stick for every day of the camp, and we had two All-American nominees.” She smiled. She knew the man probably had no idea what any of that meant, but it didn’t matter. She was just impressed he knew anything at all. In her limited experience, it wasn’t unusual for the dance team to not get the respect they deserved. Many schools didn’t even consider it a sport. Instead it was labeled as an activity or club, even though the girls were incredibly dedicated and worked their asses off not just for a season but for the entire year.
    â€œOf course. Wonderful job. On that note, I actually have a favor to ask you, and I’ll state up front that it’s asking a lot, but I need help.”
    Well, that sounded grim. “Okay, I’ll do my best.”
    â€œAre you familiar at all with the Millard Country Club?”
    â€œSure. I mean, I’m not a member,” she teased, and they both laughed.