A Continuing Novel by Dr. Greg Shepard
A Continuing Novel by Greg Shepard Chapter 33 Chapters 1-32 Quest For Greatness is based on true stories. Coach Travis Drake is the new football Coach at Hamilton High School. With energy, enthusiasm, charisma and hard work, positive changes have been taking place. The other major character Rick Steadman, who is a senior at Hamilton, has been devastated by tragedy. His father and two sisters died in a fire The Next Five “ think it’s time for bed,” said Travis “Aw dad, do we have to?” said Andrea and Shauna. “Yeah, do we have to?” asked Billy. “Arghh” roared Travis as he pretended on the attack. Amidst giggles, the kids scurried upstairs to bed to get away.
As each child was tucked into bed, he or she heard the familiar words again“ love you.”
“Do you really?” questioned Billy with a serious tone.
“Yes Billy, we surely do.” that destroyed their home. Only his little brother “How much?”
Billy survived.
“Well Billy, how high’s the moon?” asked Travis.
Coach Drake with a lot of caring has helped Rick overcome his problems and this tragedy. Billy and Rick are now part of Coach Drake’s family. The Town, School, and team are going crazy over the unbelievable turn around. They are ranked sixth in state after five games.
“Pretty high, coach.” “Well sir-Billy, our love for you is about as high as that moon. Now good night partner.” Diana snuggled in Travis’ arms for a long time. “You awake Travis?” “Yes honey, I’m thinking.” “I know. I can hear you. Are we going to win Coach Drake gave the team an attitude adjustment and now feels confident about the Friday?”
“I think so honey. | think so.” upcoming game. Continued on Page 27 after Catalog Nothing Came Easy At Number One Ranked Templeton QUEST FOR GREATNESS Continued from page 26 Chapter 33 The Next Five Travis felt very calm before the Harrisburg game. The locker room was unusually quiet. The players hardly spoke. TJ was emerging more and more as a leader.
Travis was pleased as he observed TJ helping the other quarterbacks with the game plan.
Hamilton played efÏciently, methodically, and aggressively. They had hardly any recognizable mistakes. It was their best game of the season. Coach Myers’ defense registered another shutout as Hamilton won 300. Travis experimented and went for Both were converted. two points twice. might be a confidence builder should they have to do it in a future game. Rick continued his streak of 100-yard games, in spite of playing less than three quarters. By the fourth quarter, the Hamilton fans had already made plans for a huge caravan to travel the 120 miles for the non-league Templeton.
Bernie Alderwood had arranged the game with Templeton. Travis had told him to pick someone easy because he wouldn’t want any injures late in the season. Bernie would later say, with an open date.” “Maybe the challenge will be good for us,” Travis had thought. Little did he know at the beginning of the season how their ranking would be at game time.
Practices went very well. The players and staff Brentwood built it up as the most important game in Hamilton's history. Several TV stations even came into town to do a special feature. A lot of excitement prevailed Templeton had a blue-chip running back with blazing speed. Hamilton found out the hard way as he ran back the opening kick-off ninety-five yards for a touchdown. Behind 0-7, the Lions fought back. In the second quarter, they finally scored a touchdown. Travis nice to go in at the half up 8-7.” However, it was not to be, as TI's play-action pass went just barely out of reach.
The second half was a defensive struggle. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Templeton’s star running back broke a 65 yard counter play for another touchdown to go up 6-13. Late in the fourth quarter, a controversial play contributed to yet another Templeton touchdown. TJ went back to pass and was blindsided. Travis argued that TJ’s arm was moving forward, but the referee saw it differently. Templeton scooped up the loose ball and ran it in to make the final score 6-19. It was a long, long ride home. Travis told them they'd played a fine game; and except for a couple of mental let downs, the score might have been different.
In spite of these conciliatory remarks, the players and Steadman rushed for 208 yards as Hamilton blasted Winston 24-0 coaches were still subdued the entire trip back to Hamilton. As the bus rolled into the school grounds, Coach Myers stood at the head of the bus. “I hated this loss as much as anyone, but we got three games left. We are going to make the playoffs. So is Templeton. Just maybe we'll get another crack at those guys. I want ‘em.”
It was as good a note to end on as Travis could think of. It was time to prepare for Winston, a team that had been up and down all season. The coaching staff worked extra hard as did the team. Travis knew this was a good sign. The response to the loss was good. Everybody made a deep resolve to correct the mistakes and keep improving. The Hamilton Lions came back with a vengeance as Rick had his best game with 208 yards rushing. Hamilton 24 and Winston zero. The next game was played on a mud-soaked field against North Striden. Travis felt fortunate to escape with a 14-3 victory. when your playing away in a mudbowl, anything can happen,” said Travis, being quoted by Bob Brentwood.
“What can you tell me about Clayton County,” asked Brentwood after completing his interview on North Striden. “Well, I'll tell you Bob,” said Travis looking at his scouting report, “Clayton County might even be tougher than Templeton. For the fans, it couldn’t have been better planned. The winner would be conference champions and earn a spot in the state playoffs. Clayton County had QUEST FOR GREATNESS Continued from page 27 a couple of games where they scored over fifty points. In fact, they led the state in points scored. However, they had lost one game to Jefferson. Hamilton had barely beaten Jefferson at Jefferson 14-6. Fortunately, this tough one was at home.
Extra bleachers were set up to accommodate the anticipated crowd. At game time, there was standing room only. But it didn’t make any difference because everyone was standing practically the entire game. It was by far the most exciting game of the season. Hamilton struck first with a nice solid 72-yard drive. The extra point was wide making it Hamilton 6, Clayton County nothing. But great teams don’t give up easily, and Clayton stormed back and tied the score. Their extra point was good, and Clayton led 6-7. During the second half, both teams maintained a fierce defensive battle. However, late in the third quarter, Rick fumbled and Clayton recovered on Hamilton's 32 yard line.
Clayton threwa pass on first down and caught Emile off guard. Suddenly it was 6-13. Clayton lined up to kick the extra point. Somehow, little Tim Adams burst through and got a hand on the ball and it fluttered harmlessly off to the left. It gave the Lions a new jolt of momentum.
Emile was seething because of his mistake, and he eyed the kickoff with fierce determination. The ball was kicked deep to the three yard line. “Stay away — it’s mine,” shouted Emile. He was off and squirted through | the first wave of Clayton tacklers. Emile was hit at the 20 but spun to the outside and slashed his way to the 45 yard line. Rick crashed off tackle for a six yard gain, and Pruitt got the first. “We're in 4-down territory now,” yelled Coach Drake. It was just that as they made two fourthand-one situations. Rick got one, and Fred Johnson got the other on a 7-yard counter play.
The line was beginning to really control the line of scrimmage; and on a second and goal-to-go from the three, Pruitt ripped off Buddy’s block for the score. “Time out!” TJ signaled to the ref. Travis and TJ discussed the conversion at the sideline. “TJ, can we get two?”
“Coach, they’re really keying on Rick. I can get it in. Let’s fake the off-tackle play, and I'll take it around the end,” TJ suggested — but it almost sounded like an order. “Do it!” Travis agreed.
T] was emerging as a fine QB and leader. Hamilton could be heading to the playoffs. but exhilarated, the defense charged onto the field for yet another valiant stand. Clayton elected to punt with 3:12 left. TJ took the full time. He watched the ref; and when he began giving the five second warning, he called the signal, “Set, Hut.” This play netted another three yards.
“OK guys, it’s nitty gritty time. We gotta get the first. Rick, we're gonna sweep left. Can you get it?”demanded TJ.
TJ got his offense in the huddle and called, “Proright, twenty-six, QB at eight, Pro-right, twenty-six, QB at eight, ready, break!” At the snap, Rick exploded toward the hole, took TJ’s excellent fake, and jumped what looked like ten feet in the air. He was met by a host of Clayton defenders. TJ slipped around the end and sprinted to the flag — untouched. As he stood in the end GREATNESS” zone, he was mobbed by his team and over-zealous Hamilton spectators. It was now 14-13 with five minutes left. Exhausted BRAND NEW SPEED TRAP II Wireless Timing System Measures reaction and sprint times automatically BOOK EVER! with complete accuracy. push any button.
You can get precise times on any distance from one yard on up. at the start or finish or anyplace in between. You can even By Greg Shepard Is A Special Novel For Football Coaches and Players. It Puts The Whole Secret Into A Real Life High School Situatuion. The Novel Is Based On Experience. move around with it as you coach. do is read the time. devices use an infrared beam. Use them indoors or outdoors. devices and breaks the beam. This automatically stops the clock IT’S IDEAL Coaches can’t put it down. Players see a new vision of what they can be. It’s an ideal gift. It’s an ideal way to grasp the vision.
THE TOUCH PAD START This starting device starts in two different ways: (1) When your hand moves, the clock starts. (2) Hear three beeps signifying “Ready - Set - Go.” On the third beep, the reaction clock starts. The instant the athlete moves, the reaction clock stops. Of course, the sprint clock also gives story in serial form. you the total time for your distance.
Quest For Greatness.
From BFS Magazine — Spring 1991. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).
