ad of him.
Rudolph was in pursuit.

It looked like a touchdown for the second team. But Rudolph was slowly
gaining. The goal was only fifteen yards away ... now ten ... now
five. Rudolph left his feet and his arms encircled the flying Burton.
They came to earth two yards from the last line. The elated second
team lined up for first down.

Blackwell nudged Billings. "There's a situation that might develop in
the game with Canton," he said. "Imagine that the second team is
Canton. If we hold 'em for downs I'll bet the coach calls you in to
kick."

Judd bit his lips and watched. Three times the second team backfield
dove into the first team line. But the first team was holding madly
now. On the last down the ball was but a foot from the goal line.
Fenstermaker, big guard, broke through the defense and dropped Burton
for a one yard loss. The ball went over.

A halt was called in the game. Coach Little had motioned to Rudolph.
Blackwell pushed Billings to his feet. "Get in there! The coach is
calling you. What did I tell you? ... Come on ... let's see a real
punt!"

Judd pulled off his sweater and ran out on the field. He knew this was
to be one of his big tests. If he made good the coach might see fit to
use him in the big game. But more than that--he must make good for
Blackwell ... and then there was Bob ... and yes, even his mother! The
scrimmage to the other players meant little more than a final strenuous
seasoning ... to Judd it meant a fight against unseen odds.

Barley, first team quarterback, picked out a spot about five yards
behind the goal line for Judd to stand. Barley was the personification
of pep. He ran along the line, slapping his players on the back and
exhorting them to hold. He came back to Billings.

"All right ... show your stuff! Kick that ball out of sight!"

Judd reached out his hands. He had a surge of fear. What if the line
didn't hold? What if the pass was poor? But the next minute the ball
was coming back to him. The line wavered and the pass was low. By the
time he got in position to kick the players were almost upon him. He
put every ounce of strength into the boot.

Forty yards down the field the ball went twisting and turning. It
struck the ground and rolled to the second team's twenty yard line
where a second team player fell on it. The first team was out of
danger. Cheers came to Judd's ears from the few on the sidelines. He
had come through