"It's not likely," Griff said to Caydance on the telephone, "that there are Rangers' spies scouting us on our campus. We are over 300 miles South of Humboldt. They are last year's number two team in the Conference; we are playing the first game we have ever played. From their point of view, this season opener game is an opportunity to clobber a weak opponent and in the process to humiliate us by running up the score.

"We're going to need field goals if we have any chance of the game being at least somewhat even; keeping Will O'Arragan not too visible to spectators before the game is a good idea. Too much advice from different coaches and too much kicking in practice are not ideal for kickers, so Will is practicing with his Uncle when the field is mostly empty. And thanks to the loan of Uncle Robbie's incredible built-in-a-friend's-barn sports car, Will is spending nights in San Francisco with his boyfriend.

"Oh, and we have a punter: Rocco, a Chemical Engineering junior, who grew up playing soccer in Italy. He walked onto the field the second day of practice, Big guy. Has a bit more punting power than Will. So I gave him a number and put him on the depth chart. "

Caydance and Griff would be spending the weekend together at the beach house. "If you can come to the campus a little early on Friday you could watch us practice," Griff suggested.