It was no ordinary day in school. The elated Duxbury High School lacrosse team was moving on to the Division 1 State Championship after their win against #2 ranked Boston High School. The Dragons were lead by senior captain defender Ryan Curtis and senior All-American midfielder John Flynn who was the paragon of the lacrosse team; both of them were going to college to play lacrosse for their dexterity. In school, everyone talked about the big game on Saturday. No one thought the dragons could pull it off seeing they weren't ranked and they were going to be playing the number one team in the state, Lankton. But still, the team asked for a myriad of fans to be there for support. The people of Duxbury were considered zealots for their passion for sports and they enjoyed watching their athletic teams succeed.
It was mid-week now and the team was now preparing for their opponent. This was the biggest game ever in all of Duxbury High School athletics. It was the lacrosse team's first ever state appearance but they were not expected to win even though they were doing so well. "Being underdogs can be taken as an advantage for us. Hopefully Lankton will underestimate us and we will go out there and give them a fight." coach Donnelly told a news reporter after practice. Coach Donnelly was feeling good about this game and told his team they had a chance to win their first ever state title. On Friday night, the team went out to dinner together at Jack's Buffet. Coach Donnelly made sure every player had a good meal the night before their big game. "It is key to have all three E's tomorrow; energy, enthusiasm, and execution. By eating a good meal you will be ready to focus and bring the energy and passion to tomorrow's game boys." coach told his players. The next morning, the players gathered at the high school with their equipment, Ipods, and drinks ready to get on the bus to leave. The players' families give their last benedictions to their sons before they leave. The game was being played at 1pm at Cannon stadium in Boston where the professional lacrosse team Boston Cannons play. Finally, the bus arrives at the stadium at 12 noon. Officials escort the team off the bus and into the away locker room where the players drop their things off and go get a feel for the stadium. At 12:15, coach calls all the players into the locker room to get dressed and get ready for their pre-game. It is now 12:30 and coach is ready to give his speech to the team before they go out to a heavy battle.
"Boys, this is your biggest game of your lives right here. Energy, Enthusiasm, Execution. Play with energy, play with enthusiasm, and execute your role on the team and before you know it we will be singing "We are the champions" on the bus ride home holding a trophy saying "Massachusetts High School Boy's Lacrosse Division 1 State Champions" said coach as he kept started his harangue but kept it simple and to the point. By now the sanguine team was all fired up and ready to go warm-up. Little did they know how much this game will impact their lives. "Down. Whistle!" as the referee blew his whistle for the face off. Duxbury won the face off and came straight down on offense and scored right away. At the end of the first quarter, Duxbury is losing to Lankton 5-3. At the start of the 2nd quarter, Lankton scores 2 quick goals as doubts settle in on the Duxbury players. It is now 7-3. Lankton seemed infallible and didn't have any turnovers up to this point. Halfway through the second quarter, Lankton comes down on offense. Ryan Curtis, the Dragons' start player is guarding Lankton's star player #23. #23 makes a quick move and SHOOTS. The goalie lost sight of the ball and cant find it; all he heard was a big "thump". Ryan Curtis, defending #23, drops lifeless to the ground. He had been hit in the heart with a shot. Quickly, everyone runs onto the field for his assistance. The trainers perform CPR and tried to get his heart pumping again as Ryan lay their with no movement. Everyone starts crying as time passes and an ambulance arrives to bring him to the hospital. Lankton's coach asks Coach Donnelly if he wants to continue with the game or forfeit by rule. So, Coach Donnelly gathers his team together to quell them and asks the extremely emotional players whether they want to play still or if they can't go on any further. As the team hears Ryan Curtis was pronounced dead, they all concurred to keep playing in his honor.
The hardy freshman Jeremy Collins was called to duty to replace Ryan and step up in a huge game. The Dragons came out fired up and angry they lost their dear friend but coach gave them advice to take it all out on Lankton and win this game! So, down 7-3 the Dragons start their comeback. They won 80% of the remaining face-offs and came down on offense and scored 4 goals to make the score 7-7. Lankton started to fall apart and become unkempt with the ball. It was now the fourth quarter with 2 minutes left. Lankton had the ball and Jeremy Collins was guarding #23, Lankton's best player. Desperate for a stop, Jeremy Collins pressures the ball and throws an incredible check causing #23's stick to go flying! The crowd cheers as Jeremy scoops up the ball and sprints down the field with his long defensive stick. 15,14,13,12,11,10,9... the crowd yells out as the lofty Jeremy sprints down the field and shoots as fast as he can! Half a second later the back of the nets shoots outwards as the ball flies into the net going an estimated 85 mph. The crowd roars and cheers as everyone sprints onto the field to celebrate their win! Jeremy drops to his knees and starts crying as he won the State Championship for his team. He looks up to the sky and points upwards to tell Ryan that was for him. But wait, there was still 4 seconds left. So, the face-off begins and Lankton wins it and comes down on a fast break. They quickly shoot the ball with 2 seconds left as time winds down. Everyone is watching in disbelief as the ball's going in when they hear a "Dink!". The ball kicks off the crossbar and goes flying into the air 40 feet high. "NO GOAL!" the referee yells out. The Duxbury fans go crazy and rush the field. The Dragons have won! Everyone pig-piles on Jeremy as they celebrate their amazing win but the doleful Dragons didn't forget their dear friend.
The team gathers together in the locker room. Everyone crying that Ryan has died and they all say one last prayer together before going home. When they arrive at Duxbury High School, it is now 6 pm and the players go home. The next day, Sunday, there is a wake for Ryan Curtis. The whole team attends and in honor of him, every player buries their medals they won with Ryan. On Monday they had Ryan's funeral ceremony where 800 people showed up, almost all of Duxbury High School, to say their last goodbyes to him. As Ryan's casket is lowered, coach Donnelly starts singing "We Are The Champions, we are the champions..." and soon enough, all of the estimated 800 people are singing along as Ryan is finally rested in place.
