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[08:30 – Film Room]
By the time Jace reached the film room, a handful of his teammates were already there: a couple of wide receivers, the backup quarterback, and the offensive coordinator, Coach Harris. Dim lights and the glow of the projector created an almost theatrical atmosphere. Rows of seats faced a large screen, which flickered with last season's game footage.
The room looked like a modern cinema, only with better lighting and the Bruins logo. It was packed full of potential recruits, as even the walk-ons were for the film study. It seemed like the coaches were finally ready to let them do something football-related after putting them through the wringer on the first day. Settling on a seat halfway up the left Ilse next to the window, he placed his bag next to him as he pulled out the foldable table.
He spent five minutes just flipping through his phone and playbook as more people filed into the room. Luckily, he didn't have to wait long when a bald white man in his early forties walked into the room in crutches as a cast was wrapped around his left foot. He wore the navy-blue UCLA coaching polo with pride as he reached the podium at the side. His crutches made a soft thump against the carpet as he cleared his throat, addressing the room in a voice that effortlessly carried through the room.
"Alright, people, settle in," he began, leaning one crutch against the front table. "Some of you know me as Coach Harris. For the rest of you—yes, the foot is broken, no, I wasn't doing anything cool enough to brag about. Let's just say who ever said that surfing is all about getting on the board owes me some compensation. I take checks, cash and even carrier pigeons as long as my guy Benjamin Franklin is on the money,"
A smattering of polite chuckles rippled through the room. Jace folded his arms over his chest, letting the corners of his mouth lift in amusement. From what he had heard Coach Harris was new to the program—an offensive coordinator lured over from a successful powerhouse high school program. Rumour had it he specialized in field positioning, creating efficient offences and developing players' play recognitions.
Most of the guys that went through his high school programs are now thriving in college with the best of them even dominating in some of the big ten schools. "Money, that's what we are gonna talk about today." Coach Harris paused as he watched all the players subconsciously lean forward and pay attention as if he had just told them he knew the location of the 7 legendary balls.
"Most of you have dreams of the next level or simply dominating at this level and raking in as much of the NIL oil pipeline that has just reconnected." He said with a bright smile before continuing." Don't feel embarrassed those are not bad goals but in order to achieve that we need to do 3 things each time before you put on that crest."
"1 You think about your goal real hard and then leave your ego at the side because that's an obstacle to making it happen. 2 You hold yourself and your brothers accountable, that means every practice session, every party, and most importantly during games. You know best what you can do and what those around you are capable of so hold them to that standard. Greatness isn't a goal for us this year it's expected from each of you on and off the field." Following his impassioned speech the room fell silent as no one dared to say a word clearly thinking about the man's words.
While some wanted to simply brush it aside as an adult rambling none dared to even think that while looking into his clear blue eyes. "Now let's get to work," Coach Harris said as he pressed a button that caused metal shutters to descend from the windows.
LED lights flicker to life at the stairs, the Bruins logo and some other accessories in team colours as a projector come to life at the back of the room. The corresponding white screen descended from the roof at the front of the room as a cued-up game appeared on it. Ignoring the Iron Man-like technology on display around him Jace Raised his arm from his seat as he asked a question. "What about the 3 things we need to succeed here?"
A bright smile appeared on the man upon hearing the question as he turned his way. "Jace Lyon: 4,780 passing yards, 85 completion percentage, 70TD, 5 interceptions, 11.5 yards per attempt, 700 rushing yards, 15 rushing TDs, 7.0 Yards per Carry, and finally 4:33 in your 40-yard dash all in your junior year of high school."
Jace eyebrow rose upon realising that the coach knew his stats of the dome something he wasn't expecting. After all, he as the offensive coordinator has hundreds of athletes' stats to look at and that is not considering other team's players which he has to monitor. "Yeah, I know you, and that's a big ego you have to set aside each time you do that jersey but if you can. Then you're ready for step 3 Making money plays, what does that mean you're wondering?"
"It means ignoring your desire for big highlight plays when a better option is open, making those around you shine will let you shine, and finally on the field, all that matters is reaching the end zone. Any personal beef or burdens you're carrying we deal with together as a family and for all this to work communication is key. We can't help you if we don't know you are suffering, that goes for every one of you, grind hard during practice and you will get your shot..." He said with a serious smile as he gazed at the rest of the room with players now sitting with more rapt attention.
Coach Harris let the last of his words settle, then pressed a button on the projector's remote. The film jumped to a cut-up of last season's highlights—both triumphant moments and glaring mistakes. Jace leaned forward, elbows on his armrest, eyes sharp as the first play came up on the screen: a standard spread formation, wide receivers on either side, the quarterback in shotgun. On the snap, the QB checked left, then right, eventually forcing a ball deep downfield into double coverage.
"See that?" Coach Harris froze the frame, the ball hanging mid-flight between two defenders. "He wanted the big highlight. That's ego. If he had done his job properly, he'd have taken the open tight end running the dig route across the middle. That's a money play—short gain, but a first down and a chance to keep marching." He tapped the laser pointer over the open receiver. "Instead, we get an interception. Drive over."
They watched clip after clip—touchdowns, incompletions, sacks. Each time, Coach Harris asked them to identify the coverage, the potential hot read, or the pass protection checks. Whether it was a successful play or a disaster, Harris's focus remained on the concept of "money plays" and accountability. A successful drive, he explained, was rarely the result of a single highlight. It was born from a series of decisions that built toward the end zone.
"Alright, let's break it down by position," Coach Harris continued. "Receivers, I want you to note how defenders shift when you stem your routes. Quarterbacks, watch the safeties' feet. Offensive line, see how the D-line stunts on second-and-long. Think big picture, people."
Coach Harris clicked to the next play, a tight end running a short curl route while the quarterback targeted a deeper out. The ball fluttered incomplete. He paused the film, laser pointer marking each player's movement on the screen.
"Receivers, notice the corner bailing on the snap," he explained. "That's a clear sign of a zone concept. Quarterback? You should see this happening and know that your primary read is no longer the deep out. The money play is your tight end right here, sitting in space. That's easy yardage, folks."
There was a short moment of silence in the room as more players started to dot notes down in their notebooks. "Coach when does the money play become that hail marry throw, that acrobatic fake out, or that decision DB to blitz a QB when a gap opens up, but your team is in a zone positioning?" Jace suddenly asked in genuine curiosity, causing the player's movements to stop as they looked at Coach Harris for answers.
"I see you gonna cause me a lot of trouble Mr Lyon," He light-heartedly joked as he locked gazes with Jace.
"Not at all coach but for a long time that money play for me has meant making that 50/50 throw in a crucial match," Jace responded in honesty as the better he got the more teams focussed on breaking the option of making those easy passes.
Coach Harris arched an eyebrow at Jace, his warm but penetrating gaze moving from the young quarterback to the rest of the players. "That's a fair question. Look, I'm not saying big plays don't matter. There comes a time when you've got to take risks, especially in pressure-cooker moments. But the difference between a hope-and-pray bomb and a smart, gutsy throw is awareness—understanding coverages, reading a DB's body language, and knowing your receivers. That's when a 50/50 throw can become a 70/30 in your favour."
He advanced the clip-on screen, showing another scenario—two minutes on the clock, down by four points, the offence backed up on its own 20. The quarterback scanned left and right before launching a deep pass. The wide receiver came down with it in double coverage, igniting the stadium.
Coach Harris paused the film and turned to Jace again. "This right here, folks, is that well-calculated risk. The DB's hips are turned, the safety is cheating too far on the slot receiver, and the quarterback knows his guy on the outside can win the jump ball. That's not a blind heave—that's a read. That's the difference."
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To Be Continued...