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By John Coy
When Miles Manning, a successful high school football player, discovers his teammates are using steroids — and one of them is his best friend — he's faced with a tough decision: Is he willing to do what it takes to win? Football is his life, and his family, especially his dad, is pinning its hopes on him. It's a lot of pressure for a high school junior to bear. This gripping look into the world of high school boys and athletes — and their struggle to be the best — is provocative and searingly honest.
Excerpt:
“Thumbs in. Grab and go!” Coach Stahl
hollers as we line up for the pass patterns. Ninety-five and
humid and we’ve been practicing for three hours. I’m
shot, but Coach keeps saying hard work in summer makes champions
in fall. Over by the track, two linemen are down on all fours
puking.
I run twelve yards, plant my right foot, and cut left. Jonesy
fires a rocket. Instinctively I stretch my hands, little fingers
together – the way Dad drilled into me in the backyard – and
make the catch.
“Thumbs in, Manning.” Stahl throws down his
cap.
“Can’t you hear?” He holds his hands, thumbs
touching.
“Do it again.”
I run my pattern and twist my arms around to make the catch.
“Grab and go,” Stahl yells. “Don’t
do it half-assed.”
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