Getting That Bling
After a memorable Homecoming, we played the last two games of our regular season. We achieved our first two goals of the season, winning against both Claysburg-Kimmel and Bedford, 28-7 and 21-0. That gave us the ICC championship and a 10-0 regular season, the first undefeated season in Everett history since 1967.
The awards kept on piling up for me: All-ICC first team, ICC Offensive MVP, and PIAA Single-A All-State first team. The regular season stats didn't lie: 77 catches, 1313 yards, and 17 touchdowns are pretty impressive. Rivals.com bumped me up to a five-star player and I was now the second best receiver in the nation, behind Reuben Randle. I was the hottest prospect in the nation and every one wanted a piece of me. Recruiters started showing up at my door, and in my classes. It was good to be Ethan Woy.
CP wasn't particularly happy about all the attention I was getting. He was still sending me money, but also sending me threats. Voicemails, text messages, letters - you name it, CP continued to say that I better go to Michigan or else. They were still my front runner, but going out to other campuses such as Penn State's, Virginia Tech's, and Syracuse's, made me realize that with the right offer I could easily jump ship. I wouldn't be making an early commitment and would drag my decision till LOI day. There were many roads I could take.
With our number one seeding in the district, we were scheduled to face the 7-3 Conemaugh Township Indians for the District 5 championship and a chance to play in the State playoffs. The game was getting all kinds of publicity; Fox Sports Pittsburgh would drop their local WPIAL broadcast to televise the game, and both a writer from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Philadelphia Inquirer would be there.
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"RED, SET, ONE!"
I ran an out route and as soon as I got my hands on the pass, I was drilled.
"I'm coming for you all day Woy! Your run is over!"
For most of the game, it seemed like that would happen. Their running game was tearing up our defense, their secondary kept on laying the wood on the other receivers and myself, and Brad was off-target with a lot of his passes. Down by four with 30 seconds left, Brad called a pass to me in the huddle.
"GREEN, SET, ONE, TWO!"
I took off downfield but my guy was right on step with me. Brad released a long pass and I got my hands on it when...
*CRACK*
The cornerback went to hit me low and turned my ankle. I slowly got up and I knew something was seriously wrong. Coach saw it too and called our last timeout.
"You alright Ethan?"
"I think I fucked up my ankle."
"Let's take a look...yeah it looks like you sprained it. Jordan!"
"Woah Coach, no. I'm not leaving this game."
"You can't even run Ethan. What makes you think that you'll be able to catch another pass?"
"I have an idea Coach."
I told him what play I had in mind and after some deliberation, he decided to go with it.
"Are you good to go Ethan?"
"Yeah, I'm fine Brad. Here's the play: New York Y Jet 1 Throwback on one."
"Holy shit, is that going to work?"
"If you have half the hands as me, yes it will."
"Alright, I got you. Break!"
I limped to the line and waited for the snap.
"Sorry superstar, looks like your high school career is over."
"We'll see."
"GREEN, SET..."
I started to go in motion.
"...ONE!"
Brad caught the snap and handed it off to me. I started to run around the right end where I had some good blocking. The defense was confused for a minute, freeing up Brad downfield. I let the ball go as soon as I got hit...
...Brad bobbled it...
...but brought it in with the defense behind him. He dashed into the endzone and the crowd went nuts. 16-14, a district championship and a berth to play in the State playoffs; incredible.
The student section started sprinting onto the field as the clock struck zero. All three of my goals were accomplished: 10-0 regular season, check. ICC championship, check. And finally, a District 5 title, check. I was limping off the onto the medal stand when I started getting interviewed by reporters.
"Ethan, how great is it to finally be on top after those two distarious years?"
"It feels amazing. I'm not sure if I can say this on the air, but oh well. We've been through hell the last few years, but we all made goals at the beginning of this season and we accomplished them. I'm so proud of this team."
"What's next Ethan?"
"Well, I'm first going to go to a doctor to see about my ankle. I'll rehab it and be ready for state playoffs. We get a week off before, right? Yeah, I'll be ready to go. Don't you worry."
"Any news on the recruiting process?"
"Yeah. Tell Rivals and the entire nation that Ethan is not leaving the east coast. Michigan is the farthest west out I'll go to school. Not to be rude, but can I please go celebrate with my teammates?"
"Go ahead. Thanks for your time Ethan."
"You're welcome."
I limped off the stage and the pain in my ankle was getting worse and worse. I better be ready by States...
5 catches, 63 yards, 1 TD