*Duck to the Top

[.duckszy]

Duck Awntop was a laughing stock all throughout middle and high school. Nobody could take someone seriously when he has the first name “duck.” He didn’t care though because he had a dream. Duck so desperately wanted to play ISFL and go against the best players in the world. From a young age, he and his father would watch the ISFL games every sunday after church. Duck would marvel over the players on the field, imagining what it would feel like to be in their places. Among everyone, there was one player in particular that stood out to him more than anyone else. His name was Gio Bianchi, a running back for the Sarasota Sailfish. It was his life goal to swarm Gio in a real ISFL game and tackle him for a loss or at least seven yards. Duck had always been a good defensive end ever since he started playing flag football in third grade. Every play, he would swoop right around the offensive tackle and take the flag right from the quarterback’s waist. His dad was delighted when he was offered to play on the local travel team with people 4 years older than him. Despite his major size disadvantage and not having played tackle football ever, he managed to pull off a flawless strip sack at least once a week. In high school, he started on the varsity team as a freshman. It only took opposing schools one week to identify the young talent and put two blockers on the line against him. Still, Duck would find a way to graciously swoop by his opponents into the backfield. He gained the nickname “Speed Rusher” by coaches and other players. Sophomore year, he started receiving offers and scholarships from all different D1 schools, including Alabama, Clemson, Michigan, and more. He graduated high school a 4x All American, 3x Conference MVP, and 1x State Championship MVP (senior year in the title game, Duck managed 5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a batted pass). At last the fateful time had come for him to choose a university to attend. He really wanted to choose a team that didn’t just want to win games, but also wanted to help their players achieve their dreams. and when the coach of the Dayton Flyers talked to him over the phone, he knew that was the place to go. He packed his bags and headed to southwestern Ohio, with a full ride to the University of Dayton. In his freshman year, he carried the team to an Atlantic 10 conference title and a Rose Bowl appearance, in which they lost 36-35 to Texas. Immediately after the game while he was in a horrible mood, Duck’s agent called. He told him that multiple sources told him that if he declared for the DSFL immediately, he would get drafted, and that’s exactly what he did. He knew he was yet another step closer to fulfilling his lifelong dream of playing with and against the best. Every day up until the draft he could barely sleep. When the night had finally arrived, he waited for his name to be called. And waited. And waited some more all the way up until the last pick, which still wasn’t Duck. He immediately fell into a depression. He knew he just blew all his chances at the ISFL. Who would want to sign or draft someone who couldn’t even be in the DSFL? Then, a couple weeks later, his phone stayed blowing up like madness out of nowhere. He called his friend and asked what happened. He screamed at Duck: “Didn’t you hear? Turn on channel 40!” He switched on the TV, and he nearly fainted when he read the headline: “Local phenom and former Dayton DE Duck Awntop Signed by…”
Note: I know this is not how free agency works but just roll with it

Code:

647 words

[Crodyman]

We got our man.

[Gragg9]

[shrub02]

Quack on, Duck, quack on