Chapter 12: Chapter 12
Butch Buchanan plays a clever one-two with his teammate Nick Rogers who saw off the Aberdeen High defenders and put two past Shane Foster in this one! Aberdeen High’s ‘good keeper’ was left helpless for that one!” said the commentator as a slew of teammates from Blockrovers High were coming forth to congratulate Butch Buchanan over his goal.
“Told you we would cream and destroy you! We’ve got the best attack in the State and your defense is powerless to stop us!” jeered Butch Buchanan sticking his tongue out at Shane.
This made Shane feel even worse than he was already feeling.
The coach of Aberdeen High was furious at the performance of their team, but also felt helpless as to how his team could turn this one around.
“Aww man!” said Oliver, Shane, and Kevin all at the same time after they incurred their recent fortunes.
Marcus meanwhile just snickered to himself on the bench.
Shane’s mum Gertrude looked from the stands and felt for her son, but she didn’t want to show any signs of pity as she knew it would only make Shane feel worse than he was already feeling at this time.
Michelle Clarke, on the other hand, felt ecstatic with joy as she started blowing kisses at her boyfriend, Butch Buchanan. Butch returned the favor by blowing them back at her.
“Okay, what is going on here!” complained Marissa infuriated with the situation at hand.
“Yeah! Our boys are playing so bad, and Michelle rejoices to blow kisses to that guy Butch there, and Butch only returns the favor by blowing them back!” complained Sam while observing Butch and Michelle’s recent behavior.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” asked Marissa to Sam.
“Yup! I’m thinking exactly what you’re thinking!” answered Sam.
“We were played on that evening by those two! Butch obviously took us away for an obvious reason, and Michelle took Shane and Kevin away to the terrace for their plan to break us up, and then he purposely led us straight to her while she was kissing them. He was the one who told us about them being on the terrace! He plotted this all along!” concluded Marissa.
“Yeah, that’s exactly what happened! But how do we inform the boys we’ve forgiven them, and we want them to play their best again?” asked Sam.
“We’ll cheer them on as we did before in the previous games! That’ll show them that we still care for them!” answered Marissa coming up with a plan.
“That’s a genius girl!” exclaimed Sam.
Soon after Aberdeen High had kicked-off again, the thirty-seventh minute was being played, and they tried to pull at least one back before the half-time interval. They charged into the opposition half but were again unable to produce much as every shot they took was either deflected or saved, or they weren’t able to come forward enough to shoot properly as they kept on losing possession of the ball. After some failed attempts on goal, the Aberdeen High football team that was on the pitch seemed to look as if it lacked morale and motivation to keep on fighting until the end of the match.
This continued for a period of seven minutes till an official confirmed on a switchboard that there were to be two minutes of time added on before the half-time interval.
Just then, Aberdeen High lost possession again, and this time Butch Buchanan won possession for his team. He raced past the Aberdeen High defenders and skillfully passed the ball to his teammates as they charged forward for a final attack on the Aberdeen High goal before incurring half-time.
They came near the box when Ryan Buckle tried to win the ball from Butch Buchanan by slide tackling him. He mistimed his slide tackle and wound up fouling him just on the edge of the box, so luckily, Aberdeen High had not conceded a penalty, but they had conceded a free-kick from a very dangerous position.
As Butch came down hard, he demanded that Ryan be shown a straight red card for bringing him down as he argued with the referee that he should have gotten more than just a yellow card for bringing him down. Due to Butch’s constant bickering with the referee, the referee decided to award a yellow card to Butch as well for his petty and childish behavior.
“And Aberdeen High just can’t seem to get themselves back in this one! They’ve now conceded a free-kick from a dangerous position, and their defender Ryan Buckle has just been awarded a yellow card for his reckless foul! All their attempts on goal have also failed miserably! If it’s any consolation, it is that the Blackrovers High team captain Butch Buchanan has just also been awarded a yellow card due to his constant bickering with the referee! He’ll be looking to gain some redemption by scoring from close range from the last kick before half-time!” said the commentator announcing as Butch was placing the ball to take his free-kick.
“Well, that was entertaining! Butch receiving a yellow card for bickering with the referee!” said Marissa with a chuckle.
“Yeah, but now he’s about to take this free-kick from a dangerous position! Maybe now is the time to deliver that special cheer Marissa!” reminded Sam.
“Yeah good idea let me begin now
Give me a G
Give me an O
Give me an S
Give me an H
Give me an A
Give me an N
Give me an E
Give me a G
Give me an O
Give me a G
Give me an O
Give me another O
Give me a D
Give me a K
Give me an E
Give me another E
Give me a P
Give me an E
Give me an R
Go, Shane! Go, Good Keeper! Go Good Keeper of Aberdeen High! If no one can do it,…you can!” said Marissa leading the cheer for her cheerleading team. She hoped this would motivate Shane and instill in him a belief that he can perform better than he currently was.
“And it looks like these ladies haven’t given up on their captain for the evening Shane Foster as they still believe something can turn around!” remarked the commentator after watching Marissa’s new cheer.
“Marissa does still care! I won’t let her down!” thought Shane suddenly getting energetic as he would now perform to the best of his capacities since he regained his confidence.
“That’s awesome!” said Kevin as he looked on.
Michelle Clarke looked on in horror and disbelief as to what had just happened. “This wasn’t part of the plan!” she said, building up the right amount of steam from within.
“Huh…this wasn’t supposed to happen!” said Butch, who was angered by what had just happened. He planned to break up those two, but instead, he only made their bonds more potent than ever before! He infuriatingly charged forward to take his free-kick.
He hit his free-kick with a lot of power and accuracy towards his bottom left corner, but Shane, with his newfound confidence, dove forward and quickly reaching it, blocked the shot away, sending it wide off the post.
The referee blew his whistle for half-time as both teams made their way to the tunnel to head for the dressing rooms for the half-time interval.
“Sensational stuff from Shane Foster there! The shot was coming with so much power and accuracy, but he managed to parry that away to safety! Truly a world-class save from that young man right there! And the referee blows for half-time! Join us as we’ll be back shortly!” said the commentator, impressed with Shane’s save and calling the match to a halt as the half-time whistle blew.
“Awesome save!” said Oliver in admiration of Shane’s save.
“Rats!” complained Butch to his teammates after their free-kick attempt on goal was saved by Shane.
“Dude, that was awesome!” said Kevin running forward to congratulate Shane.
“Thanks, buddy! I don’t know what happened, but I think Marissa and Sam have finally forgiven us and realized that we didn’t commit those acts purposely!” said Shane with his arm around Kevin’s shoulder as they headed into the tunnel.
‘Quickly now, we must move!” jogged Marissa as she and Sam made their way to the tunnel to meet Shane, Kevin, and Butch. To their surprise, they saw Michelle also making her way to the tunnel. She was making her way to meet her boyfriend, Butch.
As soon as Marissa and Kevin entered, they called Shane, Kevin, and Butch from behind.
“Hey, you guys! Back here!” called Marissa to the three boys in front of her.
“Yes, what is it?” asked Butch pretending to be innocent.
Marissa came forward, put her pom-poms down, and slapped Butch as hard as she could on his right cheek with Sam soon following by slapping Butch on his left cheek.
Butch angrily asked, “Hey, what did you that for?”
Marissa angrily replied, “For breaking up Shane and I and Kevin and Sam, you creep!”
“What are you talking about?” asked Butch nervously.
“What I mean to say is, is that you purposely took us away from our boyfriends that evening at the Gala and showed us your petty, childish cloth which we had to take out from your sleeve, while your girlfriend Michelle took our boys to the terrace and there she planted to kiss them just as we were coming so that we would break up and you would gain a psychological advantage over us today at the final!” explained Marissa fuming.
“Marissa is this true?” asked Shane.
“Yes, it’s very true, and these two rodents had all the part to play in it!” she answered, pointing to Butch and to Michelle, who had just shown up in the tunnel in front of everyone.
“What’s going on?” asked Michelle.
“Your little game is up! We know what you did, you creep! Well, guess what? We’re back together, and we’re going to beat you in the second half!” shouted Marissa.
She then quickly ran over to hug Shane and said, “You were right! I’m sorry I slapped you, and I should have listened to you at least!” She then kissed his cheek where she had slapped him the week before.
“It’s okay! Now I’m going to try and win the game for both of us!” assured Shane holding onto Marissa tightly.
Sam went over and hugged Kevin as well. “And I’m going to help!” said Kevin, who added his part as well.
“But baby, we’re solid!” said Michelle to Shane in a desperate final act.
“It’s okay baby, they know! But we’re still going to beat them!” said Butch walking away towards his dressing room with an angry expression across his face while holding Michelle’s arm.
“Phew, I’m glad that’s over with! Sigh, now we’re back together!” said Shane relieved, breathing a sigh of relief.
“Yeah, but we’re two-nil down at half-time we have to score two goals to only level matters! And you’ve got to fight for that scholarship! Being two-nil down isn’t going to help much!” reminded Kevin.
“I know which is why we’re going to discuss it in the dressing room and develop a strategy to tie level with them!” said Shane as he and Kevin headed into their dressing room with the girls heading the other way back to their cheerleading stand.
“Good luck, you guys!” said Marissa waving to them and blowing a few kisses as she and Sam headed off.
In the dressing room, Shane and Kevin told everyone what had happened and how Butch had toiled with them and the girls.
“This is an outrage!” said the coach who was furious after what he had just heard.
“It really is!” added Oliver in agreement.
“Do you want me to tell their coach?” asked the coach.
“No it’s okay, I think the most suitable thing to do is to develop a strategy and to tie level with them, and if the matter remains two-all at full time, then we request to the referee to let us go straight to penalties as we will be able to talk better on the pitch that way!” suggested Shane.
“Then it’s settled you boys with your newfound vigor and resurgence are going to play as if your life depends on it and to take full revenge for what happened to you! Go out there and bombard the opposition goal!” said coach readying his players as they looked set to enter the pitch for the second period of extra time.
As soon as the players made their way through the tunnel, they were met with a very warm response from each of their respective schools as their supporters cheered them on, no matter their performance in the first half.
“And Aberdeen High is beginning to kick things off with their kick-off in this second half, with Blackrovers High having kicked off in the first half! These young lads will be looking to try to end this in the most respectable and fruitful manner possible!” said the commentator as Jerome Castle and Benjamin Cross had proceeded with the kick-off for Aberdeen High.
The college scout observed each footballer very carefully.
As soon as the second half was underway, Aberdeen High played with renewed vigor charging past both flanks and causing the Blackrovers High defense all sorts of problems. They had only one thing on their mind, and that was to seek vengeance for how they had planned to beat Aberdeen High.
“What has gone into these Aberdeen High players! They are playing with such ferocious intensity that they’re causing the Blackrovers High defense all sorts of problems! If they continue like this, then it won’t be long till they’ve pulled one back for their team!” remarked the commentator on the recent resurgence of the Aberdeen High football team.
And he was right for in the fifty-eighth minute, thirteen minutes after the second half had resumed, Benjamin Cross fired a shot from thirty-five yards out which was kept out by the Blackrovers High goalkeeper Shaw Pippin. He blocked the ball away, sending it for a corner kick from the left-hand side of the post. As the Aberdeen High players entered the Blackrovers High box to try and score, Kevin was left unmarked in the middle of the box.
Ryan Buckle had taken the corner, and as fate would have it, no one seemed to make any contact with it at all as everyone who tried making contact, missed utterly, leaving the ball coming straight to Kevin when he least expected it. After it hit the ground and was in mid-air following the bounce, Kevin shot straight towards the roof of the net to make it two-one for Aberdeen High! There was no chance of saving that one as Kevin struck from such close range, and he hit so high within the net.
“And Aberdeen High have pulled one back here, folks! It’s two-one! Kevin James has scored from a corner in his first-ever start for his High School! Aberdeen High deserves this after all the hard work they’ve put up in this one! It hits the roof of the net from such close range as no one is there to mark Kevin James! It's game on is this one!” said the commentator as the Aberdeen High supporters were ecstatic after having pulled one back. They looked at the clock, it was sixty minutes, and the score was two-one! There was still time for a winner in this one!
“Alright!” said Oliver pleased as he watched with the coach how Aberdeen High had managed to pull one back.
“Hmpf” grunted Marcus.
“Yay! My man Kevin scores!” shouted Sam in joy and excitement as soon as they managed to pull one back.
‘That was truly awesome that we managed to score and even more that Kevin got to score! I just hope that these guys find an equalizer soon!” said Marissa looking on hopeful.
Shane’s mum Gertrude put on a smile on her face after that.
As soon as the Blackrovers High players had kicked off, they immediately went into the attack, trying to cause the Aberdeen High team defense all sorts of problems with their quick passing and aerial movement of the ball. They sliced past the defense and immediately had themselves a shot on target as Nick Rogers sent a low cross to Butch Buchanan, who volleyed the ball from close range inside the box.
Lucky for Shane, he immediately blocked the ball with his chest, throwing himself into the shot altogether, using his whole body as a shield to protect the Aberdeen High goal.
“Incredible stuff from Shane Foster here, ladies and gentleman! He uses his entire body to save a volley from such a close distance! We’re finally
beginning to see his natural colors in a football match once again in this fixture!” said the commentator impressed with Shane’s performance.
As soon as the corner kick was taken, it was taken by Nick Rogers, who sent the ball high into the air to be met by Butch Buchanan, who through his strong aerial skills, headed the ball with a lot of power. Shane jumped and parried the shot away with his palms, but in the process, while doing so, he shoved the ball straight towards Walden Smith who accidentally got his hand to it, thus conceding a penalty in the process!
“Penalty for Blackrovers High here! Shane Foster does brilliantly to save that shot, but in the process, gifts the opposition a penalty as he had no idea where he was sending that ball! Walden Smith should also have been careful to move his arms away after seeing the ball come his way! Let’s see what Blackrovers High can make of this penalty here!” said the commentator after the referee marked to the spot for a penalty following a handball.
The supporters of Blackrovers High were overwhelmed with joy after having received a penalty.
“I hope things don’t get worse for us!” said Oliver as he looked on.
“Oh man!” wailed Marissa, annoyed at the recent turn of events.
“There’s nothing we can do except hope that they miss or that Shane saves it!” conceded Sam.
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” screamed Butch as he clenched his fists and started jumping up and down after grabbing the ball to place in the middle of the box. He grabbed it quickly so that he could be the one to try and score from the penalty.
“Ugh! No!” wailed Shane as he would now be tested again.
“Dude! Just go out there and do your best!” said Kevin patting Shane’s arm as everyone got ready for the penalty.
“And everyone prepares for the penalty!” said the commentator as Butch carefully placed the ball for a spot-kick.
Shane was very careful to view Butch’s movements since he would read and then guess accordingly as to where he would dive.
Butch ran very fast and straight and made it seem as if the ball would also be hit with a lot of power. As soon as he was about to make contact with the ball, he put his right foot forward and would try to curl the ball to his left side and towards Shane’s right side. Shane could correctly guess the movement after all those training sessions they had previously taken, and they had practiced penalty-kicks many times before.
Shane, as soon as Butch was about to make contact, dove to his left side, and lucky for him that he did, as those rigorous training sessions paid off with Shane guessing the ball movement correctly as he blocked the ball away with his hands, sending the ball flying towards the post and going back into play. Kevin quickly ran forward and kicked the ball out of play, sending it for a Blackrovers High corner. Shane had managed to successfully save another penalty!
“And Shane Foster saves another penalty in this tournament! My word incredible scenes! He does wonderful to read the ball movement and guess correctly! And Kevin James made a smart call by quickly leaping forward and sending the ball out of play for a corner! Those two keep Aberdeen High’s hopes still alive here!” said the commentator after witnessing that incredible penalty-save by Shane.
Shane was then congratulated by every single member of his team both on the field and on the bench, with the exception of Marcus, of course, who couldn’t stand Shane’s success.
“Yes, yes! Yes!” Shane saves for Aberdeen High! He does it again wonderfully! He saved us on the sixty-seventh minute, keeping our hopes alive!” said Marissa jumping about giddy with joy.
“That was pretty incredible! I just hope they get rewarded further by being able to find an equalizer soon!” admitted Sam.
“That’s my Shane!” said Shane’s mum smiling after her son managed to keep his High School’s along with his dreams still alive.
The college scout had on him an impressed grin after watching Shane save the penalty.
“Ugh! Why is this happening to us!” groaned Butch at their recent unluckiness.
“All we can do is try harder and hope things improve!” said his teammate Nick Rogers.
Michelle gave Shane a disgusted look after that. She couldn’t stand to see him doing so much better than her boyfriend.
After the corner kick was taken, Blackrovers High had put all their energies towards scoring a third goal in the match. Shane, along with his defense, had a flurry of shots to save as they were coming at him with full swing.
“And Shane Foster is again turning into the star of the show ladies and gentleman as he makes save after save to deny Blackrovers High the third goal in this one. He and his defense are proving as to how they reached to this final! They are proving that theory correct out here that attack wins you matches. Still, a strong solid defense wins you titles!” said the commentator as Shane and his defense were covering themselves in glory after making save after save and denying Blackrovers High time after time from scoring the third goal.
Shane’s mum looked on, feeling very proud of her son’s performance on the pitch.
“Yeah, Shane’s playing awesome again!” stated Marissa, thrilled after getting back together and watching him play well.
“Yeah, they are doing great! Kevin’s defending well himself! But I wish they would finally score an equalizer since time is running out!” cautioned Sam.
“Wow, Shane and the rest are terrifically proving themselves out there!” stated Oliver, impressed by his teammate’s performance.
“Hmpf!” pouted Marcus folding his arms as he didn’t enjoy watching Shane perform well. He considered himself to be superior to Shane and so thought that he should be out on the pitch instead.
“Ugh! This makes me so mad!” wailed Butch, frustrated.
“Dude chill! We’re still leading! They’re only defending our attempts on goal, and it is the seventy-seventh minute, so chances are, that we’re more likely to go home with the cup!” stated Nick Rogers, trying to console his frustrated friend Butch Buchanan.
But Nick’s words would not last right for long, for only then did Shane manage to grab onto the ball from a deflected shot. He saw that Kevin was unusually ahead of him and had a lot of space between the Blackrovers High defenders, and so Shane decided to throw the ball his way and send him for a solo run to try and score for Aberdeen High.
“Here, Kevin! This one’s for you!” shouted Shane throwing the ball his way.
“Huh?” said Kevin looking on as he saw the ball coming his way. Nonetheless, he immediately started chasing it and was on his way for a solo run where he had only to outwit and outrun two defenders of Blackrovers High!
He chased the ball up the field, going into the heart of the Blackrovers High half all on his own with two defenders hot on his heels. He ran with the ball as if his life depended on it! That’s just how much determination he had put in his run.
“And Shane Foster sends Kevin James for a solo run on his own! Let’s see what will become of this!” said the commentator as Kevin was carrying the hopes of his entire High School upon his shoulders while making that run.
“Come on, Kevin, run faster!” urged Sam.
“Come on….run faster!” said Oliver as his bench and their coach looked on with their hearts beats racing during that time.
Soon all the supporters of Aberdeen High were chanting Kevin’s name as they saw him making that run.
“Nooooo” wailed Butch as he saw how close Kevin had made it to their box.
Michelle, with a disgusted look, was hoping Kevin were to trip or something.
“Soon, Kevin made it into the Blackrovers box, and their goalkeeper Shaw Pippin just stood there instead of coming forward, hoping Kevin was to take a shot quickly of which he would try and save. Two of those defenders were nearing him closer and closer.
Kevin knew of this as he finally decided to take a gulp and aim for a shot on goal, but before he could take a shot on goal, he was brought down in the box by one of the defenders named Billy Smith. Billy tried to slide tackle the ball from him but wound up making no contact with the ball, thus incurring a penalty and a red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity!
The referee immediately pointed for the spot and took out a red card from his pocket to show to Billy Smith, consequently giving him his marching orders!
“And Billy Smith had brought Kevin James down in the box! He really should have done better with that challenge as it was a reckless one! He’s been penalized for it as well! He’s going to the showers earlier than everyone else after being shown his red card, and he’s given the opposition team a penalty! Aberdeen High has a golden opportunity to capitalize on this opportunity and score from the spot .here!” said the commentator as Billy Smith made his way off the pitch and into the tunnel.
The supporters of Aberdeen High were cheering their High school team onto a ferocious level after receiving a golden opportunity to equalize.
“Yes! Kevin wins a penalty for Aberdeen High! He wins a penalty for Aberdeen High!” chanted Sam, who was in seventh Heaven after they received their good news.
“And now we can finally equalize! I wonder who’s going to step up to take that penalty!” stated Marissa as she wondered who would take that crucial penalty for Aberdeen High.
“This is awesome!” said Oliver as everyone got up from the bench in anticipation of the penalty.
Even Marcus wasn’t pouting anymore.
Shane’s mum looked relieved after having seen her son’s High School team awarded a penalty.
“Things can’t get worse!” wailed Butch complaining to his teammates. Even Michelle Clarke looked scared and upset after Aberdeen High awarded this penalty.
Shane run up the pitch to join his teammates as the penalty was about to be taken.
Kevin addressed him saying, “Why are you coming out all the way here? Shouldn’t you be at your goal? In case one of us misses the penalty?”
Shane truthfully replied, “Truth is Kevin. You won the penalty, so it’s your right to take it! But I was wondering if you could let me take it! A penalty save, and a goal in the same match would nearly guarantee me that scholarship to Manchester University! Please, Kevin, can I take it?”
Kevin looked at his friend carefully and put his arm on Shane’s shoulder and answered, “You’re my bro! Anything for you! Especially at this time when you need this penalty goal more than I do!”
“Here, take this and score for the team!” said Kevin handing Shane the ball.
“Thank you, Kevin! You’re a true pal!” said Shane thanking him as he hugged him tightly before placing the ball in the middle of the box to try and score for Aberdeen High.
“What’s this? Shane Foster himself has come forward to score for Aberdeen High! And if he does so, it will be in the dying moments of this match! What a story this will be if he scores! A penalty save and a penalty goal all in the same match!” said the commentator as Shane was getting ready to take the penalty.
Shane’s mum got up from her seat as she got so nervous as her son was taking the penalty. “Please Shane score on this one! Get that scholarship, and please score on this one!” she thought to herself.
The college scout fixed his eyes firmly on Shane.
“Whatever you do….please don’t miss!” said Oliver as he and their coach were tensely looking on.
“I hope he misses!” said Butch looking at Shane scornfully.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so nervous! Shane himself is going to take the penalty!” said Marissa nervously, crossing her fingers.
Suddenly Sam had a brilliant idea. “You know what would be great?” she suggested
“What?” asked Marissa.
“A special cheer for Shane and the rest of the team to let them know we’re behind them!” said Sam feeling proud of herself after that.
“That’s brilliant why didn’t I think of that!” exclaimed Marissa feeling surprised at her inability to think of such a brilliant idea.
“Well, here goes nothing!
Give me a G
Give me an O
Give me an S
Give me an H
Give me an A
Give me an N
Give me an E
Give me a G
Give me an O
Give me a G
Give me an O
Give me another O
Give me a D
Give me a K
Give me an E
Give me another E
Give me a P
Give me an E
Give me an R
Give me a G
Give me an O
Give me an A
Give me a B
Give me an E
Give me an R
Give me a D
Give me an E
Give me another E
Give me an N
Give me an H
Give me an I
Give me a G
Give me an H
Go Shane Go Good Keeper Go Aberdeen High! Go out there and score the equalizer Aberdeen High!” said Marissa leading the cheer for her team.
“And it looks like these girls are cheering Shane Foster on along with the rest of his team in what they believe, they can equalize with!” remarked the commentator after watching Marissa’s special cheer.
“Oh my! These girls have a thing for Shane! My baby never tells me any of these things!” said Shane’s mum with a smirk.
“Hmpf” grunted Michelle scornfully after watching that that special cheer.
Shane looked and Marissa and thought, “This one’s for you, Marissa! Thank you for everything you’ve done! And thank you for your special cheer! Means a lot!”
He then prepared to have his face-off with Shaw Pippin.