The Kid Who Only Scored Touchdowns

The American Journal of Sporting Opinion
16 April 2009
Vol. 42, Pg. 426-428





The warm Saturday morning sun beat down on the fans filling the bleachers that lined one side of the eighty-yard football field. It beat down on Chase Thomas' back as he crouched in position behind the quarterback, Larry Conrad.

The Catbirds, dressed in bright yellow uniforms, formed a tight line as they faced the green-uniformed Sandpipers. The ball was on the two-yard line, and the Catbirds were trying for the extra point.

"One! Two! Hike!"

Larry Conrad took the snap, turned, and handed it off to Chase. Chase tucked the ball against his chest and charged toward the right side of the Sandpipers' line. Chase plunged forward, closing the narrow hole that split open between right guard Henry Cobb and right tackle Jim Turner. The Sandpipers large defensive end moved to stop Chase in his tracks, but Chase evaded with a nifty spin move. Only daylight remained between Chase Thomas and the painted glory of the endzone. Chase stopped in his tracks - no! He did not score two point conversions: he was "The Kid Who Only Scored Touchdowns."

Chase laid down on the 1/2 yard line and waited for the Sandpipers defenders to pile on top of him. Staring up at the cloudless blue sky, Chase Thomas knew, this was the decision of a true champion.

"What do you think you're doing?" Larry Conrad ran over to Chase.

Larry did not offer Chase a hand getting off of the turf.

"We just lost the All-City championship by 2 points! Now I'll never get a scholarship to Jefferson High!" Chase had never seen Larry that mad before, but it didn't matter.

"The Kid Who Only Scored Touchdowns" only scored touchdowns.