*September 2nd, 2002, Mizuhara field, 6:00*

Here at Mizuhara field, and epic battle shall be waged between the Abiko Vikings fresh off of a playoff appearance, and the young mean Ryoo Higitsunes. Both teams feature a stingy steel clad defense and a ground pound run based offense, and all the spectators who came to watch knew that they were in for some old school tough nosed football.

---

Haru, Jun, and Keiji gather across from the 3 team captains of the Vikings.

"Mean Jun." The Vikings Center says reaching out his hand.

He shakes it and the two let go as the ref comes in the middle of the group.

"Higitsunes, you're the away team, what would you like?" The ref asks.

"Heads." Haru says.

"Higitsunes choose heads." The ref says as he flips the coin.

The coin flips around and finally bounces back on the grass and shows heads.

"We choose to defer." Haru says.

"We choose to defend with the wind." The Vikings QB says.

"Alright." The ref says walking back away.

The team captains all walk back to their respective sidelines ready for the game to begin.

---

The Vikings receive the ball at the opening kickoff, and they're placed on the 23 yard line. For the Higitsunes defense, the task at hand was as simple and clean as a game plan gets, the threat to their hold on the win was a lighting fast back who wore #17 and their job was to stop him. Opening play would set the tone for the game. The Viking attempted to run 17 off the tackle, which star Defensive End #26 'Killer' Keiji Ozawa quickly puts an end to for a meager gain of inches. After 2 more plays getting torched by the flame curtain they decide to punt.

Coming in with a short return the Higitsunes are put on their own 32. The Viking's defense steps up to the challenge and stalls out the Higitsunes offense, only allowing Hada to rush for a combined 5 yards in 3 plays. Punting the ball away the spectators hunkered down in their seats for an all out old school defensive slugfest where yards are earned with blood and grit.

The entire first quarter was an exercise in futility, neither team was giving major yards for the run or the pass, and their punters were giving their legs a heavy workout. Going into the second quarter it was tied at 0-0. It was 3rd and 13 for the Vikings on their own 14, blood was in the water, and the hungry beasts of the Higitsunes defenses could smell it.

---

"Alright, big stop, let's go boys!" Jun says to the rest of the defense walking back to their places.

They all get into their positions, lining up in their standard 4-3, looking over the line of scrimmage Susumu looking deep into their backfield.

"Foxfire foxfire!" Susumu yelled out to the rest of the defense.

Now looking directly into the Viking's Quarterback's eyes flashes him a quick mean glare.

"R-red 80, Red 80!" The #10 stammers out voice faltering. "Down Set, Hut!"

The ball is snapped and he drops back. In front of him the O-line was holding pocket, but it was starting to collapse rapidly under the unstoppable Flame Curtain.

Seeing the QB drop back, Susumu and Takumi abandon their linebacker positions and start flying downfield fully intent on lighting up the quarterback. Just as they started their blitz Jun and Keiji had just cracked through the left side of the viking's line. #10 chucks the ball just as Susumu made contact.

The ball flew through the air but it wasn't a typical pass it didn't spiral, it tumbled through the air as it was making its way to the target. Despite his best efforts, free safety Seiichi had given up near a mile of separation only being able to tackle him on the vikings 48.

---

Seemingly frustrated for giving up such a big play Seiichi would play the man and go onto draw 2 defensive pass interference fouls. These two spot fouls put the vikings on the door to pay dirt, and they capitalized scoring the first touchdown of the game making the game 7-0.

Back on kickoff Arata comes in with the return on their 28 yard line. Enough time left in the quarter for a drive to tie up the game before the break the offense gets to work running and passing their way down the field. On 3rd and 4 on the Higitsunes 39, excellent blocking by the O-line allows Yuu to rumble for 41 yards before being brought down at the Vikings 20. Despite this breakaway run, the Viking's defense holds stern and after 3 more plays of futility they force the Higitsunes to kick a field goal as time expires putting them at 7-3 going into the half.

Both teams were beaten and roughed up and were more than happy to take a short 15 minute break. wasting no time they both start herding into their respective locker rooms.

---

All of the team was now in the locker room sitting down on the benches all facing their coach.

"Alright, everyone's here." Hamasaki says, "This game is still very much winnable, and I'm very proud of how this team is performing right now, especially our defense. They're a good team and they've only scored once." He says looking around the room.

All of the players were trying to pay attention, but were bust wiping off dirt and grime.

"We have to clean some things up, but that's to be expected, I can forgive those mistakes, but I can't forgive a lack of discipline." He said looking around before looking directly at Seiichi. "The only reason, and I mean the only reason they've scored is because of 2 pass interference penalties."

Seiichi tries to avoid looking at anything and looks down at the floor.

"I'm not going to name names, there's 14 of you. But this goes for all of you, we must have discipline. The team before you guys had no discipline, and that's why they were awful." He says remembering the infamous 1-13 season.

"Alright, but that's enough of that, I don't have anything more to say, we get the ball starting the second half, our game plan is going to stay the same, we're staying on the ground."

Coach left to talk with his coordinators and the boys were left by themselves in the locker room. They quickly started to talk among themselves while Haru makes his rounds around the room to make sure everyone was ready and still had all their teeth.

"Come on Jun, show me that smile." Haru says.

Laughing Jun obliges showing the gap made by his missing front 4 teeth.

"Beautiful." He says laughing as he walks over to Seiichi.

"Hey, you know if we lose we're blaming you." Haru says in a joking tone.

"Shut up." He replies pushing him away.

"The way I see it is we can lose and blame you, or win and laugh about it in film." He says.

"I, guess." He replies still a little unsure.

"Well, there's one more possibility." Haru says rubbing his chin, "You could be the reason we win."

"What do you mean?" He asked.

But before he could even ask his question proper Haru was gone off talking to somebody else.

'The reason we win.' He thinks as Haru's words bounced around in his head.

---

Back out onto the field they're placed on the 25 with a touchback. The offense wheels their way out, and on the first carry of the half Susumu barrels his way through Vikings defenders and the Higitsunes ride the momentum of such a strong first play marching their way down the field.

Now at the Viking's 17, Haru hands it off to Yuu who in a brilliant display of athleticism, visoin, and football IQ makes a fancy run off to the end zone for 6 points.

A phenomenal run, and the first Higitsunes touchdown of the game. Arata kicks the PAT, and the Higitsunes were now leading 10-7.

Now with 7 minutes left in the 3rd, the Vikings are placed on their own 25 after a touchback. They continue to pound the ball, throwing their running back at the flame curtain to hoping desperately for a breakaway run against this stingy defense. Now at 3rd and 7 midfield the Vikings are locked into an obvious pass situation.

---

"Alright, let's stop em here!" Susumu says as the defense lined up.

Jun looks at the opposing lineman on his side and shows him his 'toothy' grin.

"Hey, seagull seagull!" Takumi yells out.

The center snaps the ball and the quarterback drops back looking downfield. While he scouts for viable options he sees something in his vision. An opposing jersey with the number 75, scrambling away he drops farther back and starts evading to his right, but there he sees an opposing jersey with the number 56, cutting back he looks over and tries to fire a bomb downfield but before he knows it 75 has a grip on him and the force of 2 massive tree trunk legs driving him back. He's spun around and ultimately wrestled to the ground by Jun.

The whistle blows, and the O-line looks back in shame, Jun Nii had just sacked their quarterback for a gargantuan loss of 17 yards.

---

After such a massive loss, the Vikings are forced to punt, and now with only so much long left in the 3rd quarter. The Higitsunes, content with their 3 point lead, run the ball a couple times for a nice 3rd and 2 and the end of the quarter.

After a breif respite, the Higitsunes convert on 3rd down due to a tough nosed run up the middle by Hada. Seemingly just trying to burn out the clock as fast as possible, the Higitsunes call nothing but 3-4 yard running plays, widdling down the clock as well as the Viking's resolves.

Now on the 12, the Higitsunes were getting prepared to deliver the last of the million cuts they put upon the Vikings, however after the Viking's D-line recovered a fumble by Susumu, they had new life.

But with only 2 minutes left, the question of the day was whether the Viking's offense, which had fumbled, stumbled, and been stalled throughout the entire game, was up to the task of a 4th quarter comeback.

They go to their passing attack, and a fatigued Higitsunes defense could only slow them down so much. Now with 50 seconds left on the clock, it was 1st and 10 on the Higitsunes 42. Just barely out of field goal range for the Vikings. The Vikings call their last timeout of the half and both sides go to their sidelines for a brief moment.

---

"Alright, crunch time, let's show them what we're made out of!" Haru yells at the players now getting water.

Looking back out the Vikings were heading back out onto the field and as such the water drinking ceased and the Higitsunes own defense went out.

The line lined up, and then the linebackers, and finally the backs all filed into place. In the very back Seiichi looks at the formation, a standard spread shotgun formation which all but confirmed they were going air. Looking down he sees the line start to get to work and finds a guy to pickup. Running with him he looks down and sees the quarterback staring right down his lane. He sees the ball start to fly and time seemed to slow down

Looking from the ball and back to the receiver he recognizes the situation adjusts himself as the ball was coming.

Jumping up he puts his up his hand at the last moment he sticks his hand up in front of the ball. Gripping down on the leather he falls back down the earth and as the whistle is blown he realizes what he had just done.

---

Thanks to Seiichi's perfect timing and sure hand, the Higitsunes had the ball back, and 2 kneels later, the game was over. The Vikings had valiantly fought a hard and long battle, but in the end they couldn't reel in that final game winning play and lost. one team left with the win, and another with a loss, but both teams left the game with a mutual respect for one another.

Lucky Channel Sports Center

The cover drops away to reveal Akira at a field while players are coming off and heading into the locker room.

"Hello luckies, we're here live from Mizuhara field, and on that note. What a way to start a season! A throwback is how I describe that one, a throwback to the days when Shogun Takeshi still ruled Japan, and the Miami Dolphins didn't exist." She thinks, "Well, maybe not that long ago, but either way we have an exclusive interview with star D-tackle for the Higitsunes, Good old Fats!"

Hiroki walks over still in his gear.

"So, how are you feeling about the game?" She asks in a cutesy voice.

"Well, I'm glad we won, and I'm pleased with how we won too." He replies wiping some dirt off. "You know in the 2nd quarter I was about ready to kill Seiichi for those penalties, but after that interception, I can't be mad no more."

"You guys go up against Teikoku next week, how are you feeling about that." Akira asks.

"Um, well, it's Teikoku, but this game was a confidence booster, I'll say that." Hiroki says scratching the back of his head.

There was a short silence between the two of them before Hiroki decided to break it.

"Um, can I leave now?" He asks.

"Yes." Akira says

Happily he walks off to rejoin his friends in the locker room.

"God, why did they send me to do this, these guys smell awful." She says dropping the cutesy act. "Turn off the damn camera, I wanna get out of here before I catch a disease."

As she says that the camera turns off and the screen fades out to black.

---

-Save?-

-Yes- -No-