Undercover Tailback Read Online Free Page A

Parker. Whoever scores first always has the advantage.
    “Let’s move that offense!” called Coach Isaac.
    “Go, team, go!” shouted the Kudzus fans.
    In the huddle, Spike announced his plan of action.
    “We’re not going to mess up like they did,” he said. “We’re sticking to the ground. We’ll start with Thirty-two Grind.”
    Just like in practice, thought Parker. Out loud, he said, “Okay, guys, I’ll be looking for that hole.”
    Spike clapped his hands, and the team broke from the huddle.
    The Kudzu quarterback barked out the signals.
    Wham!
As soon as the ball touched Parker, he was brought down by two Leopard linemen. He barely managed to hold on to the pigskin.
    I guess they’re wise to that one, he thought.
    “Fabe, looks like you’re going to have to do it,” said Spike. “We’ll try Twenty-three Blue.”
    This play called for a quick fake to Parker and then a handoff to fullback Fabian deRosa. It was a play the Kudzus often used
     at the goal line when they needed just a yard or two.
    I guess Spike is planning to crawl down to the goal, Parker thought. As long as we get there.
    Huey Walker centered the ball. Spike leaned in, called out, “Two! Zero! Three! Hut! Hut! Hut!”
    Spike grabbed the ball, faked toward Parker, then spun around and turned it over to Fabian.
    Thud!
Again, the Leopards were on top of the receiver. They brought him down almost before he had the ball in his hands.
    It was the second loss of yardage for the Kudzus. Now they had twenty-two yards to go for a first down.
    “Third and twenty-two,” said Cris. “You have to put it in the air, Spike.”
    “I know, I know,” said the Kudzu quarterback. He licked his fingertips. “I’m gonna try one to Moose. We’ll go with Eighty-eight
     Red.”
    They lined up in their usual single wing position,with Spike behind Huey at center. Fabian stood behind Spike, with Parker to his right and a little forward. Stacy and Cris
     moved wide to the right and left. Moose got into position just off left tackle.
    Spike roared out the signal loud and clear.
    The ball was snapped. Spike pulled back a few feet. His protection held. He was able to get off a clean bullet right at Moose.
    But it never reached the Kudzus’ tight end. A Leopards’ player grabbed it in midair and tore off down the field without a
     Kudzu near him. He crossed the goal line standing up.
    The Leopards’ center kicked for the extra point and made it. The score: Leopards 7, Kudzus 0.
    The kickoff put the Kudzus in good field position again. But their offense ground out three quick plays that went nowhere.
     There was no choice but to kick back to the Leopards.
    “Get some rest,” said the coach when Parker got to the bench.
    Parker picked up a paper cup and took a drink of water.
    Not one single play worked, he thought. Spike didn’t seem to be off the mark. He just wasn’t getting much of a chance. And
     whenever he did, it seemed like a Leopard was always there waiting. It’s almost as though they knew what we were going to
     do. Before we did it!
    He watched the Leopards move slowly toward the western goal line. Watson, the Leopards’ quarterback, wasn’t having much luck
     with his passes, but he had all the time in the world to get them off.
    A strange idea began to take shape in the back of Parker’s mind.
    A roar from the stands interrupted his thoughts.
    Across the field, the Leopards were on their feet cheering. The Leopards had scored again.
    But they missed the conversion.
    “Go, Kudzus, go!” shouted the fans. They saw a slim chance to get on the scoreboard now. If the Kudzus could make two touchdowns
     and score the extra points, they could take the lead.
    As they lined up for the kickoff, the whistle blew. It was the end of the first quarter.
    While the two teams exchanged field positions, the coach called Parker over to him.
    “Okay, I want you to listen carefully, Parker,” he said. “They’ll be looking for you to receive. In the