The Glory of the Field

Principal Alvin saw "Lightning" William pick up the football and leaped to his feet in delight. He and Steve sprinted along the sidelines, following William's charge.

William clutched the football like a little blade of grass in the wind, swaying from side to side as he struggled to steady himself. Then he suddenly lunged forward, dodging an opponent's tackle.

A nimble turn let William slip past another tackle. Finally, the Wolves' starting wide receiver found his balance and began to sprint.

Several of his incredibly fast teammates raced behind him. Whenever a Bald Eagles player came in from the side, one of William's teammates would charge out and collide with him.

Alvin ran along the sideline, his arms windmilling like a fan. He followed William and shouted, "Go, go, go..."

William's slim calves unleashed tremendous power. Like a black antelope, he moved with effortless grace, racing into the end zone.

William celebrated with a series of flips, and the entire stadium erupted in a deafening roar: "Wolves! Wolves! Wolves..."

Alvin threw both arms in the air and faced the stands, cheering and celebrating as if he were the one who'd scored the touchdown.

When the stadium's chants of "Wolves! Wolves..." rang out in unison, Alvin thought for a moment, then pointed at William, who was being mobbed by his teammates, and shouted, "'Lightning' William! 'Lightning' William! 'Lightning' William..."

The Community School's cheering section was the first to notice what their principal was doing. Soon, led by a few teachers, they started a new chant.

"'Lightning' William! 'Lightning' William..."

When the whole stadium had joined in, William, the Black Boy who had just turned seventeen, stood in the end zone with tears welling in his eyes. He raised his helmet in one hand and waved the other toward the stands, roaring