"19-84-6-10-2" he called, and the ball was snapped to him. The play meant that Don was to take the ball through tackle and guard, on the right side of the line.
The long, tapering fingers of Vench rested lightly but firmly on the ball and he swung it on to Don, who was passing him on a dead run, his head down, his eyes alert. Don's eager hands swept the ball out of the quarterback's grasp and he hurled himself into the gap which his teammates had opened between guard and tackle. For a single moment there was utmost confusion and then the Dimsdale players became aware that he had the ball. Those who were still on their feet swung in toward him.
They met a fighting-mad young savage. The first man clutched at Don's flying legs, only to be hurled violently to one side like a piece of paper. A second lunged and felt his one hand slide off the halfback's jersey. Then, up in front of Don loomed the big, beefy bruiser who had aroused his anger. There was a determined look in this man's face as he lunged at the running back.
Straight as a ramrod Don's hand shot out in the approved straight-arm, to catch the player squarely in the face. His head went back suddenly and he was pushed to one side, to drop limply to the ground, surprised and stunned. He had met his match and had received the worst of it. Don swept on out into the open field and began a run that brought the stands to their feet. Past the two half backs, narrowly missed by the Dimsdale fullback, and running a nip and tuck race with the enemy fullback Don beat the nearest man over the goal line by inches and touched the ball to the ground as the exhausted Dimsdale quarterback fell over him.
A mighty roar went up that lasted for at least three minutes and in that period a try for a goal was made but the ball missed the uprights by inches. They were taking their places once more when the whistle blew, ending the game with the score standing at 20 to 13 in favor of Woodcrest.
To the Class A champions the defeat was a crushing one and they left the field utterly humbled. To the cadets, suffering under the insults and sneers of years, the victory was more than sweet, and the score caused special rejoicing. Don was made much of and the coach assured him of a star's position on the team in the following season.