A Continuing Novel by Dr. Greg Shepard
A Continuing Novel by Greg Shepard QUICK REVIEW Chapters 1-35 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 that destroyed their home. Only his little brother Billy survived. Coach Drake with a 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.
Hamilton is now playing Templeton High School for the State Championship, a team that beat them previously. ahead 14-13. It is late in the game.
THE FINAL CHAPTER Emile Stepped In Front. The Plan Worked! “Keep the faith, Fred, we still got five minutes.” The score stood at 13-14 in favor of Templeton.
The defense was called. Templeton called their play The Templeton coaches were cautious. They just and lined up. Templeton’s QB glanced at Emile, who was wanted to control the ball, to keep it in-bounds, and to eight yards off the ball. As the wide receiver burst off the run out the clock. They did a good job as they ran the line, Emile held his ground. Chad came over and covered Emile’s deep corner. Templeton’s receiver came to an Templeton’s forty-five. They took a long count and then abrupt halt and cut sharply to the sideline. The pre-timed called “timeout” at the last second. pass was in the air. Emile timed his move perfectly. He clock to 2:18.
Tim Adams came over to the sideline and conferred stepped in front and grabbed it and was immediately with Coaches Myers and McMasters. Coach Myers said, tackled. Emile must have jumped ten feet in the air, as “Let’s play a normal third and long defense. Tim, we did Coach McMasters. As interception! Hamilton can’t let ‘em get a first!” breathed new life!
“I know, Coach,” said Tim, determined to do the job at hand.
Not one spectator was sitting as the Hamilton offense charged onto the field.
Coach McMasters blurted, “I know they’re gonna Becky couldn’t stand it. She came over to Diana and throw that little out-pass to Emile’s side, Coach. I want to her parents. Diana held her trembling hand. The two of disguise a double coverage to that side. They haven't them could scarcely breathe. seen it all night.”
Coach Myers made a snap judgement, “OK, Tim, call it; but you watch that tricky draw of theirs.” “You got it, Coach.”
“We got plenty of time. Let’s just stay cool and get it,” TJ ordered. “We're gonna do sweep-right-pass on one. They won't expect it. Let’s do it! Ready, break!” TJ reverse-pivoted and tossed the pitch to Rick, who tucked QUEST FOR GREATNESS continued from page 38 the ball in and swept right. All of a sudden, he pulled up. Rick spotted Skip behind the strong safety. He made it look exactly like his sweep-block assignment before turning on the jets and heading for the flag. Skip was alone and the ball was almost on target. Skip had to stop and leap. The ball was his as he crashed down on the nine-yard line. The clock started ticking after the chains were set.
Pruitt again came through with a slick trap play for five yards. Rick bulled his way down to the one-yard line on the next play. TJ was trying to settle everyone down huddle. on the side of the helmet. “Tighten down; don’t let ‘em split ya. We gotta score on this one. rely on a play off-tackle to the right. Let’s do this one for your Dad.” A surge of energy went through Rick’s body. He stared straight ahead.
As Pete snapped the ball, Buddy, Dan and Jeff blocked down. They made all the work they had done in the weight room count. Dave Pruitt charged on an inside-out approach and collided with the defensive end, who awaited Pruitt’s blow. lightening to the designated spot. He saw a slight gap. It was all he needed, as he exploded past Templeton’s defensive line. The strong safety tried to fill the hole, but Rick lowered his "| shoulder and crashed into the endzone standing up.
TEMPLETON: 14 It was pandemonium. Rick was mobbed. TJ butted helmets with Rick. Rick picked up TJ. The stands started to pour onto the playing field. But quickly back.
PPass From Steadman On The Nine Yard Line.
QUEST FOR GREATNESS Continued from page 39 _ Steadman Goes Over For The Go-Ahead Touchdown: Hamilton 19 Templeton 14 The two-point play was missed. The score stayed 19- Diana hugged Becky, but both of them could hardly 14 for Hamilton. Coach Drake, along with the rest of his wait to hug their heroes. Rick picked up Billy who said, coaching staff, was still extremely worried. Templeton “We did it, didn’t we!” Before Rick could answer, Coach still had time to come back.
Myers was roaring above everyone else, “Defense!
Sam Carter was ecstatic, “Did ya see that? What a team! What a Coach! My boy engineered those drives to perfection. He’s a winner. Hell, they’re all winners.” “Glory be again, Bernie, you were right. Doggone it, you were right.”
Dr. Kowalski beamed, “We got ourselves one heck of a team and one heck of a coach.”
Defense! Defense! It’s not over yet.”
Coach Littlewood was racing to get his kickoff team ready. Travis came over and ordered, “Squib it. I don’t want any return.”
The ball went end-over-end, to the thirty-five, where a Templeton player was immediately tackled. Templeton threw two incomplete passes, but then a screen pass connected for fifteen yards. Suddenly, the Hamilton fans were scared to death. Coach Myers had a special “prevent” defense called with 36 seconds left. Another pass was completed down to the Lion 38yard line. Coach Myers signaled in the defense. Wes readied himself and charged. It was, of course, another pass. He got by his man and leaped high in the air just before the Templeton quarterback released the ball. Wes’ outstretched fingertips caught a piece of the ball. It fluttered in the air and Lem Kalani was waiting for it.
He gobbled it up and immediately fell to the ground. Lem went crazy. The defense mobbed him. They were deliriously happy. The offense came out, and T] called a play but just let the time run out. Hamilton won!
THE BEST FOOTBALL BOOK EVER!
Champions! Coach Drake was given the customary ride.
Every School Library Should Have A Copy!
Elated, he cried, “State Champs! State Champs!” and raised both arms in the air. Suddenly, he twisted and his eyes scanned the crowd. There she was! Travis threw Diana and the kids a kiss. After begin carried to the middle of the field, he yelled, “Let me down!” Rick was right there and tears were coming down his cheeks. Travis picked up Billy and gave Rick a big hug. “Thanks, Coach,” Rick cried. Travis couldn’t hold back the tears, either, as Rick held him close. Travis knew he couldn’t talk, so he just hugged Ricka little tighter.
By Greg Shepard Is A Special Novel For Football Coaches and Players. It Puts The Whole Secret Into A Real Life High School Situation. The Novel Is Based On True Stories From The Author’s Clinic Experience.
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.
SPECIAL BOOK PREVIEW Coach Drake, Looking For Rick, Yelled, “Let Me Down.” continued our ongoing I Hope Everyone Enjoyed This Novel In Passion of Mine. Someday, Maybe We Can Make A Full Length Movie:
Quest For Greatness.
From BFS Magazine — Winter 1992. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).
