Please vote to show me your support for the story. The higher we climb in the rankings, the more motivated I will feel. Mass releases will be rewarded for each 10 rankings we manage to climb.
Join Discord to connect with me and give your suggestions about the story so far. https://discord.gg/hTQJtj2K9U
#More than 10 Chapter ahead on my Patreon: patreon.com/TrikoRex
{!!!Please leave a Review it helps me a lot and lets me know how many people are invested in the future of this novel!!!}
~~~
[3 Weeks later]
[20:00 – Watterman Sports Complex, 27 August 2021]
A silver-blue dusk settled over the UCLA campus as Jace lowered himself into an ice bath in the recovery area of the Watterman Sports Complex. He eased his aching legs beneath the frigid water with a shaky breath. After three gruelling weeks of summer camp, he'd grown accustomed to the numbing bite of post-workout recovery, but it never really got any easier.
Jace leaned his head back against the tub's rim, letting the fluorescent light's sterile glow wash over him. For a moment, he tried to still his mind and reflect on just how crazy these past 3 weeks had been most of it had gone by in a blur since the first day. If one were to ask what he remembered, then his answer would be simple football, football and more football.
Everything revolved around getting that little bit better through sheer sweat and grit. The coaches had cut down the main roster to the official 85 athletes as soon as the 1st week. It was only then that they started going into more in-depth tactical training and game philosophy.
Most days started before sunrise. By 4 am, he was awake, going through morning stretches and early workouts consisting of calisthenics. For 3 weeks, he worked out 2 hours before everyone, with only Blake and Isaiah occasionally joining him. By 5:30 AM, he was on the field for conditioning: sprints, lateral movement drills, and gruelling shuttle runs. Coach Baker's philosophy was that mental toughness sprouted from physical repetition, so the players often ran until their shirts clung to them in soaked patches.
However, it was the 10 am film sessions with the offensive coordinator, Coach Harris, that he looked forward to each day. The man had this laid-back charisma that captured his full attention no matter how in pain he was. The guy's understanding of the game intrigued him to the point that he filled two notebooks meant for actual college lectures.
Dissecting coverage schemes and pinpointing quarterback reads with Coach Johnson had also become routine. The man, despite all his faults, was very good at his job and guided them quite a bit. Having a coach dedicated to just his role was something Jace was used to, but he quickly enjoyed the benefits. From personalised training menus to specific technical adjustments to improve the power and form of his throw.
Still, the quarterback group remained competitive they had held multiple scrimmages since the initial one. Each time, Jace alternated reps with other backup QBs under the scrutinising gaze of coaches. Most of their individual training was focused on getting the timing ready from the snap to the throw.
Live scrimmages were meant to test them and see whether they could be used in real-game scenarios. He got to know just how good Darnell Jones was when the latter snagged quite a few of his throws in live scrimmages. The guy had an uncanny ability to lock down the best receivers interfering just enough or he would appear like a phantom snatching the ball out of the air.
One thing that surprised him was that despite the gruelling schedule the players still found time to party every now and then. Most of them were used to the balancing act so only the new cats struggled with doing so. He had managed to link up with Jason a few times at training and parties, but the guy seemed to be in his party phase.
~~~
[27/08/2021, Watterman Centre]
"Bro, the Depth chart is out," Marco, one of the skinny safetys, exclaimed from the locker room entrance immediately prompting the rest of the players to jump up from whatever they were doing and head to the whiteboard area.
Most quickly crowded the large board that had two sides of the offensive and defensive positions laid out. Most had disappointed expressions following their trip to the board, but those who did find their name on the board were excited. When Jace finally made it to the front of the crowd his gaze went to the middle of the board.
---
QB Positions:
1st Austin
2nd Cole Curtis
3rd Jace Lyon
---
Jace stared at the board, his fingers tightening into a fist at his side. Third-string. He had worked himself to the bone for three weeks, thrown every ounce of effort into each drill, each rep, each film session—and it had paid off. He wasn't where he would ideally want to be, but he was at least on the main roster and could now fully focus on climbing this depth chart.
Blake sidled up next to him, his mouth full with a protein bar. "Three ain't bad, man. You're a freshman. Most don't even get listed."
"Yeah," Jace said, forcing his voice to be even. "But it's not enough."
Blake chewed thoughtfully before shrugging. "Wow dude at least you are on the official roster I'm not even on Coach Baker's Rader, sometimes I feel invisible,"
"True sometimes I wonder if you are a ghost too, by how you stick to me like a one-night stand who just doesn't get the hint," Jace retorted with a light smile as he lightly punched his shoulder. "Fr though you've been putting in the work just wait I'll climb the chart to open up a spot for you,"
"Are you consoling me or are you hyping up yourself?" Blake questioned with an annoyed expression resisting the urge to throw his sweaty towel at him. "Anyway, you think you will get to play tomorrow?"
"Him playing, that's funny," Austin's voice sounded from the side instantly annoying the two. "Mr Superstar over here is my backup's, backup he will be lucky to get the chance to practice throwing during the match."
His words instantly caused a few of his friends who were part of the offensive line to chuckle in delight. "Man shut up, you're just jealous of his looks, get over it your girl ain't your girl no more," Blake said from the side equally annoyed at the senior who would pull all kinds of antics each day.
Austin's smug grin faltered just a little before he fired back. "Yeah, right. Keep dreaming, Casper. Just don't trip over your own feet when you're holding the clipboard no matter how much you look your name won't be on it."
Blake opened his mouth to respond, but Jace shook his head, eyes still locked on Austin. "You done?" Jace asked, voice steady and cool. "Just keep sitting pretty in that number one spot we are all just waiting for you to mess up 'cause we all gotta eat."
Austin paused, his smirk vanishing entirely as he met Jace's unwavering stare. The tension rippled through the crowd around them, the joking and laughter suddenly dimming. For a brief moment, Austin seemed unsure how to respond—until he recovered, puffing up his chest.
Just as it looked like he would say something Jace beat him to it as a light smirk appeared on his face. "Anyway, I got to go get that beauty sleep just in case you feel like tripping in the match, I hear them lights bright at the Rose Bowl." Saying his piece, he proceeded to make his way out of the building no longer feeling the need to stick around.
"Yo Wait up for," after walking no more than a hundred yards the sound of Blake's voice resounded through the quad. Sure enough, his tall figure at around 6 feet with wavy brown hair swaying in the wind came running up from behind quickly catching up with him.
"You do know I'm not into men, right?" He asked the guy who just wanted to habitually throw his arm around his shoulder only to stop after hearing his words.
Blake rolled his eyes, quickly retracting his arm. "Relax, superstar. Not everyone wants you like Austin's ex. I just thought you might need some emotional support after all that alpha male staring back there."
Jace laughed, shaking his head. "Yeah, appreciate the concern. But trust me, Austin's bark is louder than his bite. I've seen plenty of guys like him; they're always one bad play away from cracking."
"Still, you should've let me hit him with that sweaty towel," Blake grumbled, smiling despite himself. "It would've humbled him really quick."
Jace chuckled again. "I know, and I appreciate it. But honestly, the best revenge will be outplaying him. I just need that one chance."
Blake glanced sideways at Jace, suddenly turning serious. "You think you'll get it tomorrow? I mean, the Rose Bowl opening game against Hawai'i. Just playing in that Iconic stadium that's the dream, right?"
Jace said quietly, eyes fixed on the dimly lit pathway leading away from the sports complex. "I don't know probably not, no matter how annoying Austin is that boy can throw a football it's just his confidence is no better than a goldfish's memory." He took a deep breath letting the night's cool air fill his lungs. "But even if not tomorrow, it'll come soon. You need to worry about getting on Coach Harris Rader otherwise this isn't much of a competition."
"Just you wait, by October I will be on that depth chart," He loudly exclaimed like a man possessed before abruptly sprinting into his dorm building as if by reaching his room faster, he would catch up on more sleep.
.
.
.
.
To Be Continued...