Fight On! Blackcats! Fight On!

Fight On!

Scratch On! Blackcats! Scratch On!

Scratch On!

The "Fighting Youngsters" were on the field. Cheer leader's dressed in purple satin pants and gold sweaters with Amory High in purple letters across the chest, flung banners with pride. A tremendous roar come from Carver High's side of the field. Five thousand people were in the stands today and all of them yelling.

Roy Kimble kicked his cleat's in the ground and moved about restlessly. Not knowing it, he wiped the dampness from his hands across the front of his gold jersey. A big chested fellow looked around, he was Lomar Washington, the center and captain of Amory High's varsity.

"Is every body ready?" The captain checked his team for the kick-off formation.

"All right, let's go gang."

"Take them out of there."

"Send them to the cemetery."

Rah! - Rah! - Rah!

Everybody was encouraging the Amory "youngsters." The substitutes were cheering the starters. A few minutes ago, they had been crowded around each other with Coach Baldwin talking figlet and pepper. Roy Kimble saw his understudy "Little Rebel" Scott, his face was lighted with eagerness, even though he didn't start the game. He heard "Little Rebel" holter at him, "Give it all you have."

To everybody, it is easy to stand on the sideline and look. For a moment a funny thought came across Roy's mind. He wished "Little Rebel" were in his place because he thought maybe he would fit that position

men hold your positions. Abraham, you get in kicking position and Roy! I You
little yellow-livered runt, you go down the field like it is a kick and get
in the clear. Crump will be down there, too. It's going to be a pass to
you, and if you miss it, I am going to take care of you myself! I can't
help it if your ankle does hurt, Brother, you better catch that pass.

Carter's whiplash tongue was goading his players into fight, but could
it work? He said to Abraham, "Pass the ball to Roy or Crump, I'll be block-
ing for you. You've got to look like you're going to kick." Time was up.
Carver High didn't know what to expect. They played it safe this time and were
staying back for the kick. Everyone was expecting a kick, but would it be one?
The ball was snapped back and the line held. The men were down the field.
Abraham sighted Roy headed for the corner. Everybody was waiting for the
kick, but no!, it's a pass!!! Carver High had sensed it too late. Roy
was still running with Billups coming behind him. Then with bullet-like mo-
vion, Abraham let go of the ball. It sailed swift and true as a flying arrow,
straight into Roy's arms. He could run no longer. His ankle was a mass of
pain and as he took two steps Billups tore into him, but he fell across the
goal line in agony. He couldn't get up, but nothing mattered now, he had
scored for Amory.

Abraham was the first one to reach him. He said, "Great going, Roy,
you've done it, I knew you could do it." Little Rebel came in to take Roy's
place. He looked at Abraham with his sad eyes. Abraham knew what he meant,
for he had already seen Delores when she left the stands to go where Roy
was. She whispered something into Roy's ear and his face lit up, but his
features clouded when he realized it was Abraham who had thrown him the
pass. She had already told Little Rebel something and that's why he was
so sad, but Abraham knew what it was all about. He waved at Roy and Delores
smiled before Crump made the extra point. That made the scores 20 to 17.

-8-

Who said the best man could always win? Well, they were wrong, anyway. Amory kicked to Carver High and as the ball descended, the gun sounded. Surely, they were wrong, for the fighting youngsters of Amory High had been underdog to the powerful Carver High "blue devils," but they won the game by the score of 20 to 17.

Abraham saw Delores hug Roy and they saw him. They waved and smiled. She knew what that smile meant. He was walking away slowly, headed for the field house and showers when Little Rebel and Carter caught up with him. They laughed once and again and were happy and gay.

Hiawatha Northington

Literary Contest Entry

75th Anniversary

Jackson College