After a slight hesitation, George agreed to Mike's suggestion. He decided to let the team try the Blitz tactic first, and if it wasn't effective, they could adjust the tactics later.
When the timeout ended, both teams were five yards outside the Austin end zone.
Next, it was Medford's chance to score a two-point conversion.
As both teams lined up, Tank, looking at Mike who was playing quarterback on the opposite side, provoked him, "It was my carelessness before that allowed you to sneak attack. Your despicable actions have angered me, and soon I'll show you what cruelty is!"
Evidently, Tank was still holding a grudge about being pinned to the ground by Mike during their previous conflict.
Now that Mike was the team's quarterback, he was directly facing Tank.
So, Tank wanted to deal with Mike in the same way he had dealt with Aaron before.
Mike did not respond to Tank's provocation. Moreover, what the opponent said was exactly what he wanted to tell the opponent.
The two sides had already formed a grudge, and more words were useless. They would just wait to see the real outcome later.
Beep—
As the whistle for the two-point conversion sounded, Mike did not avoid Tank, who came up to intercept him. He ran straight towards his opponent with the football.
As the soul of the team, the quarterback's movements are constantly watched by his teammates, who coordinate with his actions.
It was the same now; Mike didn't need to specially remind them, and his teammates understood his intention, actively helping him create some space.
This also allowed Mike to find an opportunity for a one-on-one with the opposing defensive end.
"Bang—"
With a violent collision, Tank was, as expected, knocked to the ground again.
This confrontation was completely without frills; Mike was clearly bullying his opponent with his superior physique.
Under Tank's surprised gaze, Mike swaggered past him, holding the football.
A distance of five yards could be covered in just three or four steps. Under the cover of his teammates, Mike, with an arrogant posture, entered the opponent's end zone.
At this moment, the total score was rewritten to 15:16, and the Medford Team took the lead for the first time in this game.
Mike stood in the opponent's end zone, raising the football high and shouting, "Medford—"
His teammates, who were about to celebrate, also echoed, "Victory!"
"Medford—"
"Victory!!"
...
After boosting morale, Mike dropped the football and led his teammates to midfield.
As he passed Tank, who was still lying on the ground, Mike glanced at him sideways and said lightly, "Tank? Heh—"
The slightly mocking scoff was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for everyone around to hear.
This action was tantamount to a heavy slap across Tank's face.
Helped up by his teammates, he looked at Mike's receding back, his eyes filled with anger.
Beep— Beep—
When both teams went to midfield and lined up, the head referee blew the whistle twice in a row.
The first sound was the whistle for Austin's offense. The second sound was the whistle for the end of the first quarter.
The game so far could be described as extremely intense. The two teams had contributed four high-quality offensive conversions in just twelve minutes.
For the Austin team, an established strong team, such a performance was normal. However, for a team from a small place like Medford to have such strong offensive capabilities was unexpected by many spectators present.
At this moment, many spectators gave a warm round of applause to the Medford team as they went to rest.
As Mike walked back to the resting area, he unexpectedly saw a familiar figure there.
Aaron, with his arm in a sling, was sitting next to George with a slight smile on his face.
"Mike, you did great. I saw your organized offense just now. If I had known you were so strong, I would have given up the quarterback position much earlier," Aaron joked, trying to sound relaxed.
It was clear that he had adjusted his emotions and no longer let everyone see his dejected expression.
"You flatter me, Captain," Mike smiled and explained, "The offensive coordination just now wasn't directed by me…"
That was indeed the case; Mike had not deliberately directed the previous two-point conversion; everything relied on the tacit understanding between his teammates.
And morale is something intangible and invisible.
Compared to Aaron's well-rounded and gentle personality, Mike was more like giving instructions to his teammates through his actions.
Moreover, for today's tough battle with a significant disparity in strength, the Medford teammates truly needed a strong leader.
So, Aaron's words were not wrong after all.
Looking at his teammates' expressions, which were more combative than before, Aaron nodded slightly and said nothing more.
"Mike, Aaron and I have discussed it. For the rest of the game, you can lead and we'll use the Blitz tactic," George took advantage of the break to finalize the tactic.
Then, he continued to instruct, "However, I also hope you understand one thing: the Medford team is a whole. When necessary, I need you to learn to trust your teammates."
George had long noticed that Mike played a bit "solo." This "solo" approach wasn't necessarily bad, but as a qualified quarterback, he needed to consider more.
Learning to leverage the team's strength is also one of the essential abilities of a quarterback.
"I understand, Coach," Mike nodded thoughtfully.
...
The two-minute rest period quickly passed. Mike, who was back on the field, gathered his teammates and began to explain his plan.
The general idea was to have the players reduce their confrontations on the defensive end, thereby saving their strength for the offensive end.
This approach was extreme and bold.
"How about it, do you all understand?" Mike asked loudly after explaining his thoughts.
The teammates looked at each other, then shifted their gaze back to Mike, responding loudly, "Understood!!"
The Medford teammates also knew that the gap in strength between themselves and their opponents was too great. Rather than being dragged down by their opponents on both offense and defense, they might as well try Mike's unusual strategy.
"Very good—" Mike nodded with satisfaction, then motioned for everyone to put their hands together.
"One, two, three—"
"Go for it!!!"
...
As the second quarter began, Austin's quarterback rushed into the end zone with little hindrance in the first offensive drive.
He easily scored another six points for Austin High.
The spectators, who had expected the second quarter to be even more exciting, saw Medford High's lax defense and protested.
"What's going on?" George also looked bewildered from the sidelines. Immediately, he was about to call a timeout, wanting to ask Mike if he had a problem with his thinking.
Although the Medford Team was not as strong as their opponent, this was not how the game should be played.
This act of giving up the game in the second quarter made George feel very embarrassed.
"Wait a moment, Coach. Mike and the others might have their own considerations. Give them a little more time…" Aaron stopped George from calling a timeout.
Now, with the second quarter just beginning, it was indeed not appropriate to rush a timeout. George lowered his arm, but his gaze towards the field became increasingly solemn.
He was already reflecting on whether putting Mike in the quarterback position was a mistake.
On the other side, Aaron also frowned. Although he was willing to trust Mike, at this moment, he also didn't understand what the other party was trying to do.