“’Cause my old man is not only the richest SOB in town, he’s also head of the booster club. It’s Dad’s signature on the checks that supplement the coach’s salary. And Dad agrees with all of us: the coach is making a big mistake benching Logan. Dad called the coach and told him so, too, said that Coach had better just watch his butt, ’cause the last thing he wants to do is get sideways of the booster club.”

“That ain’t no lie,” said Dale Haggertay, right offensive tackle, who punctuated the remark with a fart.

“Anyway,” Shane went on, “if Logan doesn’t play, we’re gonna have to keep the ball on the ground, which means that O’Dell Lamar better finally step up and play like he’s got a pair.”

The remark was met with a chorus of shushes.

“Come on, give O’Dell a break,” Marvin hissed. “He’s a good guy. He just needs a little time to develop, find his game. Hell, he’s just a sophomore … and he’s a tailback playing on a passing team.”

Across the room a urinal flushed. Backs and receivers coach Doke Clements hollered, “Bus pulls out in five, boys! Fix your socks and strap your jocks!”

“Look, I wasn’t meanin’ to insult O’Dell,” Shane Butler said, spreading tape over his shoelaces with a pair of hands that were sure to put him on the all-state list. “I was just saying it’s high time he starts puttin’ up some numbers. Sophomore or not, so far he’s proven to be a lot of raw talent and speed that ain’t done shit for this team.”

O’Dell stepped around the corner behind Shane. The other players fell silent as the tailback trained cold eyes on the back of Shane’s head. It was clear he had heard every word. O’Dell was already in full dress, his jersey stretched tightly over his pads. Only the flawless black skin of his slick bald head was exposed.

“What’s the matter?” Shane said, noting his teammates’ expressions. “You fellas look like you’ve just seen a spook.”

It was an unfortunate choice of words.

The brawl ignited quickly. O’Dell Lamar threw the first blow, swinging his helmet into Shane Butler’s skull. After that it would be hard for anyone to remember exactly who had hit whom. Several players tried to break up the fight only to get involved in their own scuffles. Teddy Smoot cowered under a bench and covered his head with a thigh pad. Kevin O’Flannery went on a punching spree, hitting anyone who’d ever mentioned his sister. Marvin Bumbgardner flung bodies from his hulking frame like he was swatting flies. And through it all, O’Dell Lamar continued to jackhammer Shane Butler’s face with a gloved fist.