For Griff, time passed more slowly. After halftime, when the team surged onto the field. he and three assistant coaches followed. He looked across the field at confident halftime-speech-experienced Humboldt coach: Big Bobby. But soon Big Bobby's confidence was shaken when substantially more quarterback time in the pocket was acquired by changes in Offensive Line positioning and tactics that Peggy had suggested. River Angelos' first long pass of the second half was caught by Bakersfield-bred Tight End, Caesar Jose Ortega. In a steady downfield drive, Huygens scored.
Cheering loudly, River's Mother and Father stood up together. Sat down and began kissing passionately. It had been three years since a similar display of affection had occurred. Although initially River's Mother considered kissing her husband to be a sacrifice necessary to further their son's football career, soon football was no longer foremost on her mind. Huygens 24 Humboldt 14. The man in the Groucho mask was smiling.
But in the Humboldt first possession, IC Chips Defense was unable to stop a rapid Rangers touchdown. Huygens 24 Humboldt 21.
When the two minute warning rang, both teams had scored another touchdown; however, Humboldt had capped their 4th touchdown with a two point conversion and had also scored a field goal. Huygens 31 Humboldt 32.
But Huygens was arrayed on the line of scrimmage, and their lanky Center had the ball.
Griff was alleviating tension by visualizing the grilled bacon wrapped steaks and apple pie with ice cream that he and Caydance had planned for dinner -- as well as the six pack of Maui Lager that Defense Coach, Kekoa Alualu had brought with him for the post game coaches meeting.