Top Wing Read Online Free

ball in from the sideline. One of the biggest guys in a green-and-yellow uniform wrenched
     it loose from the tangle of stabbing legs and booted it toward the Anchors’ goal.
    But Jazz was on his toes. He caught the ball in midair and quickly put it back into play, aiming it for Abe.
    The Anchors’ left wing was a little slow getting to the ball. A Cottoneer intercepted and sent the ball back toward the goal.
     It got as far as the penalty area, where fullback Tucker Fromm went after it. There was a race between him and the Cottoneers’
     speedy right wing. They reached the ball at the same time. Each tried to shake it loose, kicking and stumbling in the attempt.
     Dana could only watch as their arms flapped wildly at their sides and their legs got all tangled up.
    For a second, it seemed that Tucker had the upper edge. He had managed to nudge the ball to one side when another Cottoneer
     cut in and stole it away.
    Coach Kingsley was shouting from the Anchors’ bench, “Defense! Defense!”
    The Cottoneers’ coach was yelling, “Kick! Kick!”
    Then a whistle blew, and the first half of the game was over.
    The Cottoneers had the lead: 1 – 0.
    “Down by one,” Dana grumbled out loud as heran toward the bench. He noticed that Benton, a few feet to one side, was giving him an icy scowl.
    “What’s that look for?” asked Dana. “It wasn’t my fault they scored.”
    “Lucky they didn’t get another,” said Abe, coming between the two of them. “You practically gave them the ball with that head
     block.”
    “You’re nuts!” Dana protested. “It almost took my head off! It’s not like I messed up a pass or something!”
    “Knock it off, you guys,” said the coach. “Gather round.”
    The Anchors formed a small circle around him. They passed orange slices and water around. The coach let them catch their breath
     and cool off. Then he spoke up.
    “You’re playing it too tight,” he said. “You’re not spreading out and looking for opportunities. ‘Heads up’ means just that
     — keeping your eyes open. And working together. You have to start acting like a team. Got that?”
    “Got it!”
    “Rah!”
    “Go, Anchors!”
    The cheers rang out as the second half began.
    Within a few seconds of play, the Anchors had moved the ball deep into Cottoneer territory. Abe, Steve, and Dana passed the
     ball among themselves, looking for an opening.
    For a minute, it looked like Steve would get a chance to score. But a fast-moving Cottoneer made a move between him and the
     goal, blocking his path. Another defenseman worked his way over and wriggled the ball away. A quick kick started the ball
     back upfield toward the Anchors’ goal.
    “Behind you, Dana! Behind you!”
    He whirled around as Steve’s voice broke through. The ball had ricocheted off a Cottoneer and was sizzling on the ground toward
     him. It was going so fast, he barely was able to stop it. But he stuck out his foot, blocked the ball, then spun around toward
     the goal.
    Two fullbacks in green and yellow came charging toward him. He had to move fast. He spotted Steve darting toward the goal.
    Dribbling the ball to his left, he suddenly shifted his position and booted the ball over toward the middle of the field.
    Steve was waiting for it. He trapped it with the inside of his left foot and began to dribble it toward the goal.
    But two Cottoneers were in the way. They charged at him from opposite directions.
    Abe tried to help out, but he was trapped. Dana was closer to Steve than any of the other Anchors. He made for the right side
     of the goal and yelled, “Steve!”
    The Anchor captain squeezed out a pass in his direction. Dana ran straight at it and booted it toward the goal. He hoped it
     would get by an open space to the left, beyond the reach of the Cottoneer goalie.
    The ball just missed.
    It struck a goalpost and bounced off to the left side of the field, way out of play.
    Dana’s heart sank.
    He couldn’t remember when missing a