Summary

Chapter 1: It is September and Jerry Renault, a freshman at Trinity High School, is trying out for football. On the scrimmage field, the older guys hit him hard. As he is being pummeled, he tries to remember what his friend, The Goober, told him: “Coach is testing you.” Jerry withstands the brutal practice but leaves the field nauseous and sick still hoping he made the team.

Chapter 2: Obie and Archie are sitting on the bleachers watching football practice. Obie both hates and admires Archie. At one point in their conversation Obie swears and Archie chastises him for taking the Lord’s name in vain.

Obie is holding a notebook and writing down names that Archie suggests. Archie wants ten names written down for “assignments.” The Goober is written down as well as Jerry Renault. Obie mentions it is a little cruel to choose Jerry since...