CHAPTER 1 Goooooooaal Logan Parrish shouted at the top of his lungs On the soccer field in front of him Logan’s older brother Elliot had just kicked a slicing shot past the opponent’s goalie and into the net Elliot was captain of the East Grover Lake High School Grizzlies soccer team He was a junior and the team’s starting 4
center midfielder He also led the team in goals This goal gave the Grizzlies a 1-0 lead Logan and his friends watched from the metal bleachers set up around the field It was a chilly evening Annie Roger had her brown curly hair hidden beneath a floppy stocking cap Next to her Ben Mason wore a black puffy coat and a baseball cap pulled low And Gabe Santiago was polishing off a giant mug filled with steaming hot chocolate Now they were all on their feet chanting together at the top of their lungs Grizzlies Grizzlies Grrrrrr That was wild Gabe said when the crowd quieted a bit Yeah he’s pretty awesome Logan smiled but his heart fluttered with a twinge of jealousy at the comment He knew Elliot 5
worked hard at soccer but his skills made Logan envious Probably because Mom and Dad worship the ground he walks on Logan thought Logan looked down at the sidelines His parents both wearing the Grizzlies colors red and brown stood as close to the action as they could get The four friends cheered as the action on the field resumed A Grizzlies forward shuffled past a midfielder for the opposing team and raced toward the corner Before he reached it however he sent a pass into the middle of the field right at Elliot Elliot broke toward the goal dribbling the ball effortlessly between his feet One of the opposing team’s defenders ran up from the penalty arc to challenge him Elliot faked 6
left and sprung right He planted his left foot and sent a sailing shot at the goal The goalie dove and just missed tipping the ball away with his fingers The ball struck the back of the net The crowd roared Two goals in one minute Wow Gabe was flabbergasted Each high school game was broken into two halves lasting forty minutes apiece By the end of the first half Elliot and the Grizzles had a two-goal lead 3-1 During halftime Logan and his friends hit the concession stand for more hot chocolate and treats As they stood in line Gabe said 7
