The door opened, but it wasn't Mr. Edgar who came in. Instead, it was the coach of the school football team, Jim Randall. Matt recognized him from other classes where he occasionally subbed. He was in his late forties, big and muscular like Matt would expect a football coach to be, six feet tall, balding, and with a mustache. Usually, whenever he subbed he seemed bored and disinterested like he would rather get back on the field instead of teaching academics, and he would usually just put on a video. This time, though, Matt noticed that Coach Randall seemed very focused and determined, like he had a fire in his eyes.
A girl in the front row raised her hand and asked if Mr. Edgar was sick, but Coach Randall ignored her, instead loudly and firmly stating, "Listen up, kids, this school has a problem."
Matt's attention was suddenly riveted.
"Our school's football team is TERRIBLE. Dead last in the county." Matt knew that was right. Football just wasn't a priority for the school or the students. It certainly wasn't a priority for his friends. None of them were interested in high school football, so he didn't particularly care-- "This is NOT ACCEPTABLE." Coach Randall was right, it wasn't acceptable! That football team represented the school to the whole world and it was making an embarrassment of them! And shouldn't every school have a great football team?
Coach Randall continued. "We have funding problems, but the biggest problem is the team itself. None of those pansies care. So we need new players." Matt, and all the other boys in the class, unconsciously nodded. "And while we're at it we could do with some new cheerleaders too." This time, all the girls nodded in agreement. "And right here, right now, we're going to make them."