Adam Gianella
Billy Newman, the 16-year-old high school phenom, has everything he could ever want. News, publicity, attention, a picturesque girlfriend. Nothing could change his world, right? Wrong!
When Billy's father Andy suddenly dies of a heartattack, a mysterious man named Brock, who claims to be an old high school friend of Andy claims that he has returned to help Billy achieve all of his football dreams, but does any person really work without hidden motives?
Early in the season, Billy suffers a serious injury, believed by many to be season-ending. Many people in Billy's small hometown of Woodville, as well as the rest of the high school and college football world start to wonder if Billy really is as special as initially advertised.
Immediately, in order to help end the negative sentiments and connotations working against Billy and his potentially successful future as a football superstar, Brock steps in and offers Billy a chance to redeem his season. Secretly, Brock also hopes to help Billy find a greater and everlasting redempton within himself; if only Brock's intentions ended there...
Will Brock succeed, and help Billy once again achieve greatness, or will Billy become too agitated by Brock's directions to follow his proven plan of success?
Adam Gianella is currently a Junior at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His disciplines of study include a major in International Relations and dual minors in German and Political Science. He is also studying Arabic. He has thrived off of his rich Tae Kwon do training and discipline under 2-time world champion, 9th-degree black belt, Grandmaster Young Bo Kong. Also, Adam currently holds a 4th-degree black belt. Adam played football for North Hills Senior High school all throughout his time there and aknowledges that his football training significantly enhanced his work ethic. Adam hopes to one day serve as a foreign diplomat or Ambassador to a foreign country to help further peace throughout the world.
The week proceeded very quickly for Billy Newman and the rest of the Old Woodville Raiders football team. Everything seemed to be proceeding very well, and the weather outside was neither too warm nor too cold. Spirits all around the school were very high because everyone believed that Billy Newman was the best high school football player not only in Pennsylvania, but also in the entire United States.
On Thursday, Brock Johnson came over to Billy’s house to look at his knee. Brock proceeded, “Billy, listen, I know you may really want to play in this game tomorrow night, but I’ve been reading the newspapers, and it seems like this Jason Brickman kid is bad news.”
Billy looked at Brock with a look of determination and vigor, “With all due respect Mr. Johnson, my father never would have cowered to a challenge, so why should I?” My father also had trouble with his knees, so I would assume it runs in the family.”
Brock returned the serious look Billy initially threw his way, “Listen, I’m not trying to undermine you, Billy! It’s just; I know what it can be like to be in your shoes. I…(Brock had a short pause, then continued) I mean a friend of mine once had a terrible knee injury, and everyday I wonder what it would’ve been like if he did not encounter what he did. His coach wanted him to rest that week, but he had too much pride to sit out a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. They were our greatest rival, and he was a star tailback, but he just made a poor decision. As your friend, please accept my plea for you to rest this game.”
After a short pause, Billy began, “Brock, I really do not want to inform you that you sound like my mother right now, but you do. I have a mission, and if I do not play in this game, I know for certain that everyone in both Old Woodville and Red Oak will attack my reputation. I must go against Jason Brickman, for it is my destiny.”
Brock put his hand on Billy’s shoulder and then spoke, “Billy, you will be destined for far greater things if you sit out. I know that sounds bizarre, but it is the truth, I assure you. At this point, you may be saying, “Hey, who’s going to want to offer me a scholarship if I sit out this game,” but I can guarantee you that there are many colleges impressed with what you have accomplished only after one game!”
Billy sighed, “I apologize Brock, but I must do this task. I need to know honestly if that first game was a reality or a fluke! I thank you for your concern, but after this is over, we can both relax and prepare for next week.”
With hesitation, Brock smiled weakly, then said his goodbyes and left. In his mind, Brock knew that if Billy were in perfect health, he could handle Jason Brickman, but Brock had done some individual research on Jason Brickman since Wisconsin University was recruiting him as well. Brock knew very well the danger Billy was in if this Jason Brickman character was as good as his past week statistics indicated. After driving back to his apartment complex, Brock lay down on his bed and stared at the ceiling and realized that if Billy were to encounter a knee injury, the recovery process would take from 2 months to a year.
At 5:30 Billy Newman arrived at the Old Woodville Athletic Complex for the second game of the nine game regular season. With not even the slightest amount of apprehension, Billy suited up, and put his knee brace on last. Clearly, Billy Newman’s heart was on fire and he was determined to succeed and prove Old Woodville’s worth to all of Pennsylvania.
On the other hand, another determined athlete pulled up on the Red Oak football team bus. Jason Brickman was livid and determined to make himself known to the entire world. If a person were to look directly in to Brickman’s face, they would notice that Brickman’s facial expression was always that of determination. The contest between these two amazing competitors was about to begin.
The two teams went out on to the playing field for pre-game warm-ups when the first sign of overflowing emotions occurred. Billy was stretching on the ground when Jason Brickman walked by and said very softly, “Newman, your time is over. You were a one-shot deal, and I’m here as a telegram to seal your unfortunate fate.” In response, with a smile on his face, Billy spoke,
