Gang Tackle by Eric Howling Page A

for?”
    “Put on your uniforms and you’ll find out,” Jamal ordered.
    The Saints suited up—blue-and-gold jerseys and pants pulled on, cleats laced up, helmets at the ready.
    “All set,” Darnell said, looking around the room.
    Jamal motioned to the players. “I want everybody on the kickoff team over here.” Rico, Carlos, Malik, Davey and the rest of the players who lined up for the opening kickoff gathered in front of him. Jamal didn’t know if he and Darnell would be allowed to start the game, so they didn’t include themselves.
    He tossed a roll of white athletic tape to each player. The wide kind used to wrap wrists for protection. “Now, I want each player to cut pieces of tape to make a big letter and then stick the letter on the front of his jersey.”
    “How do we know what letter?” Rico asked.
    Jamal pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket. It was a list of all the players, with a letter beside each name. He ran his finger down the page.
    “Rico, you’re S .”
    He read off the letter for each of the other players.
    For the next few minutes, the sounds of tape being ripped and cut filled the locker room. When they had finished, all twelve players lined up in front of Jamal. Each player had a big white letter taped to the front of his blue uniform. The letters read:
    SACKTHECOACH
    Darnell stood beside Jamal and Eli, checking out the players. “That’s the weirdest twelve-letter word I’ve ever seen, bro.”
    “What does it spell?” Eli asked, scratching his head. “And how’s it going to get rid of Coach?”
    Jamal smiled. He waved his arms like he was conducting an orchestra. “Davey, take a step to your left. Carlos, take a step to your right.” He looked at the line of players again. This time they were in three groups.
    SACK THE COACH
    Darnell and Eli started to grin. They both fist-bumped Jamal.
    “What’s so funny?” Rico asked. He leaned forward from his S position at the front of the line and read the words. A big smile spread across his face as well. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
    “We can’t give away our secret too soon,” Jamal said to the kickoff team still standing in front of him. “We have to wait until Coach Fort is on the field. We have to wait until he’s in front of the TV cameras. Then we strike.”

Chapter Fifteen
    “He’s coming!” Rico was posted at the door as a lookout.
    Coach Fort swept into the locker room, his eyes darting left and right. The players with the white tape letters hid behind the players wearing the regular Saints uniforms. Coach didn’t bat an eyelash. “Looks like everyone’s ready to go,” he said, clapping his hands.
    Jamal stepped forward. “We’ve got something to say, Coach.”
    “I don’t think you’re in a position to say anything, do you, Jamal?” Coach’s eyes were on fire. “Unless it’s to thank me for bailing you out of the slammer. Without me, you’d still be in there.” He pointed a stubby finger at the other players. “And don’t think this is going to happen again either. The next time one of you thugs goes to jail, I’m not bringing my lawyer down to the station to get you out.”
    “We don’t plan on running into trouble,” Darnell said.
    Coach Fort just laughed. “Sooner or later you’ll all be running…from the law.”
    “You’re wrong about us, Coach. That’s why we have something to tell you,” Carlos said.
    “I haven’t got time to talk now. I’ve got a game to win. We can’t afford any screwups like last time. Speaking of which, where are the two biggest screwups on the team?” Coach Fort waved his arms wildly. “Eli and Malik, get over here!”
    “Yeah, Coach,” Eli said. He and Malik stood in front of Coach with their jaws clenched.
    “You guys are going to start on offense when we get the ball. But one mistake and you’re on the bench. Got it?”
    “Are you sure we should be starting?” Malik asked.
    Coach Fort put his hands on his hips. “Are you