By 
MOST ACCOMPLISHED SPIRIT of impact players from both schools limped toward the stairs favoring one leg or the other. He stopped the boys from him. “Wait, we’ll stay down here and talk.”
Billy made his sons painstakingly walk up the long, steep stairs, across the long yard, and into the locker room.
The second half was another defensive battle with neither side getting much yardage. Yes, Buddy did get the kick-off, but only after ineffective protests from Spirit and Abel. However, Buddy didn’t get very far and neither did most of the other running backs on either team. The bettors, Moses and Sinwit, were getting most of the yardage. Running backs and quarterbacks limped; they felt beaten up, almost as if they had been in a street fight. In the final minutes of the game, neither Skosum brother could get more than a yard or two beyond the line of scrimmage. Swift was especially hit, nearly limping. And neither Buddy nor Larry could find the receptors for him.
Scored low, down 12-6 and probably the Bobcats’ last chance, Spirit called a timeout and took the field. Peanut Pakootas ran after him carrying the water bottles. Spirit’s team was less than 20 yards from the goal line, but this was his fourth attempt. The Bobcats needed nine yards for a 1st and 10. This was definitely his last chance and he suddenly hit Spirit, an epiphany, like lightning! He told the kid from Pakootas to play left guard, he informed the kid from Jim-James that he would bring the ball up. And finally, the news CresentMoon had been waiting for: “Cloud, you’re in the backfield and Larry will hand you the ball. Don’t move until you have the ball firmly in your hands, then run like crazy.”
A resounding “YES!” from the cloud That exclamation seemed to echo off the mountain wall and down the Sinkiuse Valley. And then silence… all heads turned, everyone in attendance looked at the group of Bobcats. I’m sure everyone wondered What the hell is going on?
But when Spirit grabbed the water bottle and helped Swift off the field, Billy took stock of the situation. When he saw the formation unfold, he realized what was happening. Coach Pedakakis started yelling at the top of his lungs, “It’s number 77, look at him, Red, Scott, Milo, Canutt, Blue, everybody aim for 77. He’s going to get the ball, STOP 77!”
But despite their efforts, the Panthers couldn’t stop him. Cloud took the handoff and ran almost straight. He ran as if he was punishing the ground. He ran through a small hole created by James and Sam and crushed both partners in the process. He ran into Sylix, his main blocker, knocked him down, ran over Red and Scott, Milo grabbed a leg and held on to it. Canutt tried to tackle Cloud around the waist, but was unable to wrap him up and fell to the edge of the path. Buddy jumped on Cloud’s back and Blue grabbed the other leg. Cloud made the first down and was not stopped. Touchdown Bobcats! The game was tied.
The point after attempt would be the last play of regulation time. Larry looked down the sideline and Coach Sintasket swung his hand in the air, the signal to repeat the play. Billy saw, knew that sign and started yelling at everyone to grab the 77. Lillooet made the walk, threw the ball, almost fumbled the ball, but Larry took control and handed it clean to CresentMoon. When Cloud crossed the goal line, there were eight Panthers holding on tight. Cloud didn’t stop until he was in the end zone. The Bobcats had beaten the toughest team in the league with strong defense, a well-crafted tackle and lightning. Cloud’s dream was fulfilled, the dream of all Bobcat was fulfilled and hope was alive.
Spirit’s team jumped up and down, ecstatic and joyful. Cloud jumped into the air, spun around and fell to the ground on his back. He laughed wildly as all of his teammates swarmed over him. Spirit got the kids up and lined up to shake hands. The Panthers displayed great sportsmanship just as Spirit had always expected from any Billy team. Spirit and Billy shook hands and Billy congratulated his old friend. Spirit almost apologized. Billy shared, “Hey buddy don’t worry about this Greek, these people still love me. You earned this win and your kids deserved it too. I’ll see you tomorrow morning at the Corral and I’ll bring your shotgun.” ; then it will be time to head to the Kettle River Range and hunt some big blue grouse.”