Wild Card (Barber Game Time Books)

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But Ronde was too smart for that. He knew it was third and long, with only ten minutes left in the game. He knew that the Panthers, with only a two-point lead, would be looking for a big gainer.

He waited till Hochberg turned his head to find the ball. There was the ball! Ronde reached even higher. Suddenly his feet were caught up with the feet of the receiver! They both went down in a heap, tumbling over and over each other. The ref was the law, and he was motioning to the kids with the chains to come fifteen yards downfield.

Ronde sniffed back the hurt and bit his lip hard. It was so unfair! Pellugi, the defensive coach. He had a job to do, and he meant to do it, no matter what. Instead he waited until the quarterback faked a handoff, then rolled out. Hochberg got into blocking stance and came straight at Ronde. Now the tables were turned. Ronde tried to avoid the hit, get by his man, and reach the quarterback. But just as he was about to make a tackle, he was slammed to the ground with a hard hit from his right! He was still lying there when the roar went up from the Panthers and their fans.

Ronde just lay there for a minute, panting. He was in pain, but his pride was hurt worse than his body. Now the Eagles were behind by nine points—30—21—with less than ten minutes left to play, in a game they had to win! The truth was, they were all must-win games from here on out. The Eagles had already lost twice this season—in the first two games. One more defeat and it would take a stroke of incredible luck to get them into the play-offs.

Or are you too out of breath to return it?

He knew it was true. It was the same face he saw in the mirror every day—they were so identical it was hard even for their close friends to tell them apart. But there was a difference right now. Ronde had never felt more defeated in his life. There were still nearly ten minutes left. Plenty of time to make up for that penalty—plenty. Ronde ran back out onto the field, buckling the chin strap of his helmet. He waited for the kickoff, ready to do something to turn the game around. We can still win this thing. Up went the kick, low and end-over-end. It hit the ground, then bounced off to the left, far away from Ronde.

He ran after it in a panic, and got hold of it just in time to get piled on by the entire Panthers kicking squad. The ball was spotted at their own fifteen—a long way from the end zone. Now the Eagles lined up on offense, and Ronde tried to catch his breath on the bench.

Wild Card (Barber Game Time Books) by Tiki Barber

All day the favored 5—2 Eagles had been trading scores with the 3—4 Panthers. The Eagles, after those first two losses, had been on a roll, winning five games in a row—three of them over highly rated opponents. On top of that, Ronde reminded himself, the Eagles were the defending district champs. The past was the past. Ronde let out a whoop and stood up, clapping and pumping his fist. Ronde and the rest of the defense cheered, and jumped up and down excitedly.

Extra Innings

But all the while they kept nervously glancing over at the game clock as it ticked down the minutes. The next play was a pass to Fred Soule for a gain of seven. Cody must have heard them, because on the next play he faked a handoff to Tiki, then found him in the flat for a quick completion. It looked like Tiki would be tackled, but he turned the play into a big gain by slipping the grasp of his man.

Tiki took off like a rocket, heading for the end zone.

Two plays later Tiki dove over the wall of defenders and hit pay dirt. Kicker Adam Costa made the extra point look routine—which it was, for him. Adam had the best record in the league, for the second straight season. Now the Eagles were down by only two, with six minutes still left to play. He saw the ball tumble into the arms of number 5—his own number, except on the opposing team.

Ronde flew at the ballcarrier, and hit him so hard that the ball came loose! Too bad it went straight into the arms of another Panthers player. Still, the Eagles now had their opponents pinned deep in their own territory. If they failed either way, they risked stopping the clock and giving the Eagles time for a desperate comeback drive. After a running play that went nowhere, the Panthers tried to pass on second down.

Ronde bumped his man coming off the line, and the receiver stumbled and fell. Now the quarterback had to scramble. Sam was a ninth grader, but he looked like one of those huge linemen over at the high school. But ever since he and Cody had come around, the Eagles had been winning. And now Sam had made a game-changing play. On third and long, Ronde knew the Panthers would be throwing downfield.

He decided not to bump his man this time, but to keep pace with him step for step. He was sure he could do it. They ran down the field, and Ronde stuck with number 99 like a barnacle on a rock. As they both leapt for the ball, their feet got tangled again—just like before! Hochberg went down as Ronde batted the ball away. Ronde blew out a relieved breath and clapped his hands. He called a timeout and walked over to the ref. His coach and teammates came over and gave him pats on the back for support. Ronde smiled as he lined up to receive the punt.

Frequently bought together

He knew the call could just as easily have gone the other way. But that was the nature of the game. Here came the punt. Ronde grabbed it cleanly, and took off running. The first two Panthers who grabbed at him came up with nothing but air. He looked up at the clock. Only fifty-four seconds left to play! Still, it was plenty of time for the Eagles to make up the two points they needed.

A field goal would do it, and Adam was already warming up his golden foot on the sidelines. On first down Cody took the snap, faked a handoff to Tiki, then rolled out right, looking deep. Fred Soule and Joey Gallagher were both well covered, so Cody looked short and found Tiki at the thirty-five, hitting him right in the numbers. Tiki wheeled around and fought for another seven yards, down to the twenty-eight. Your brother is mad strong! First down, Eagles, at the Panther ten! Sep 13, Jake added it.

Teaching Resources

This is a great, short, and fun book. I would recommend this book to someone who likes sports books. This book has a great series and you will not want to put it down if you get into it. The series is about two twin boys who play football for there middle school, they are great kids and have a lot of friends.

The book mainly is about them two and there life of playing football and going to school. They have some troubles along the way though. You will have to read the book to find out more Mar 07, Brian rated it did not like it. I appreciate that the book teaches life lessons and emphasizes, positive behavior, but it's just not a great book. The football parts are just average and there's little development of the supporting characters. It's always nice to see books with non-typical lead characters so that's a big plus , but it would be better if they were good reads.

Sep 12, Tyler rated it it was amazing Shelves: The first one was good but this one was so much better their team worcked together very well to make it to the play offs. The three things i mostly liked was teamwork,a good sports book and i love the author he played pro NFL football. May 25, Asad rated it it was amazing.

This is my favorite book of all time!!!! Feb 01, Lynn rated it it was ok. Looking forward to having some of my football-minded students read it. I wonder if any of them know who the Barber twins are. Feb 20, Evan Schneider rated it really liked it. Great book for kids but anyone older would not like it. Sep 25, Benjamin rated it really liked it.

Wild Card (Barber Game Time Books)

It has got a meaning to it. But loads of action. Mar 14, Daniel marked it as to-read Shelves: I really want to read this book!!!!

Bob Sanders rated it really liked it Jan 01, Luke rated it really liked it Jun 06, Zztop89boyee rated it it was amazing Feb 21, Harrys rated it really liked it Dec 15, Grant Griesbach rated it really liked it Aug 25, Big Daddy rated it really liked it Mar 12, Parker L rated it it was amazing Jan 21, Joshua rated it really liked it Aug 26, Bryan rated it liked it Apr 12, Grace Kufuna rated it it was amazing Nov 01, Nick rated it it was amazing Nov 10, Sayf rated it it was amazing Sep 11, Steven Ayala rated it it was ok Apr 20, Aidan Beam rated it it was amazing Oct 09, Brooke Kilburg rated it it was ok Oct 17, There are no discussion topics on this book yet.

Tiki Barber is a record-holding retired running back for the New York Giants. Books by Tiki Barber. Trivia About Wild Card Barber No trivia or quizzes yet. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account.

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