Dominate the Super Bowl

Clark was somewhat dazed.

His long-awaited debut had arrived in such a muddled way and ended just as confusedly, like a dream.

It ended even before he had a chance to fully savor the moment.

Despite this, a smile still fully bloomed on Clark's face as he cheered for Li Wei who was taking the field, clenching his fists and leaping into the air.

"Ah! Ahhhhhh!"

There were no words, just an unrelenting scream, but that was enough—

He, Ronnie Clark, had finally made his debut for the Crimson Tide Storm after two whole years, not in a practice match, not in a warm-up, but in an official game.

The season opener at AT&T Stadium.

Even though he didn't know what the future held, that moment was the happiest time for Clark.

Tyree was the same, raising his fists high into the air and steadfastly chanting amidst the overwhelming shouts of the crowd.

"Ronnie! Good job!"

"Ronnie! Excellent work!"

This, this is Football—

There are players who stand in the spotlight and receive applause, players who change the course of the game with their own strength, and also players who work in the shadows, dealing with the dirty and tiring jobs to ensure the smooth execution of the tactics.

They should clap for those superstars, but they should also cheer for these blue-collar workers because football is a team sport, and every single player is indispensable.

Tyree, like Clark, was jumping up and down on the spot.

With a shift of tone, his smile bloomed at the corner of his mouth, switching channels.

"Go! Li Wei! Go!"

Li Wei high-fived Clark as they crossed paths, a swift exchange completed without any time for conversation, and Li Wei had already joined the team to quickly get into formation.

In football games, trench warfare is the norm, and the Red Zone is especially calamitous. The struggle over a single yard on the line often decides the outcome of the game, and more often than not, the defense has the upper hand.

At this moment, the offensive group was on the one-yard line before the End Zone, meaning all the defenders were congregated in the End Zone, guarding this narrow and crowded space, leaving little room for the offense to adjust.

Like the penalty area in soccer, the closer and more dangerous it gets, the more difficult it is.

First Gear and one yard.

Saban tried to change up the rhythm. Hertz chose a quick short pass to starting Tight End O.J. Howard, attempting to break through with Howard's personal ability, but the Trojan's Defensive Line performed exceptionally well.

The Defensive End managed to slap away Hertz's pass while being blocked, as it was a short pass within five yards; Hertz couldn't arc it, and the low pass trajectory was directly intercepted by the opponent.

The connection failed.

The crowd gasped—

Fortunately, it was just the pass knocked down, a little closer and it might have turned into an interception.

Nevertheless, this meant that the Crimson Tide Storm's offensive tactics had been read by the opponent; even without an interception, the exposed passing route was clearly not good news.

Saban needed a clearer and more incisive offensive tactic; otherwise, cases of failing just one yard before the End Zone in football games are not just a one or two-time occurrence.

To be precise, countless.

Second Gear and one yard.

Such is the offensive and defensive showdown in the Red Zone; a mere yard or two away, the touchdown seems within arm's reach, but somehow you just can't cross the End Zone Line.

At such times, a tank-like running back like Derrick Henry is perfect for breaking through; but if the intent of a ground attack is foreseen, even Derrick Henry isn't up to the task, especially against the Trojans with their five-man Defensive Line. So, tactical strategy is still needed.

Now, Saban and Hayden, the two head coaches, were engaged in a strategic showdown on the one-yard line.

Tick tock, tick tock!

Time wasn't stopping, and the Crimson Tide Storm finally got into formation, ready to attack.

They were still in the Shotgun formation!

The air, subtly igniting, as the Trojan Defensive group unified with resolve, their eyes blazing with determination, knowing they must stop this Third Gear offensive.

Even at the cost of a penalty, they couldn't let the touchdown happen again, as it would be a heavy blow to the Trojans' morale.

Conversely, if they could stop their opponent on the one-yard line, even at the expense of a penalty, it would be an equally significant boost to their spirit.

The surface of the skin could clearly feel the hot waves lapping at the hair, a slight scent of burning lingering in the air, the heartbeats almost exploding.

"Attack!"

Hertz's voice pierced through the heavy waves of heat, igniting the air.

He held the ball.

He stepped back.

He observed.

At a glance, it was clear that Hertz was looking for a passing target in the rear half of the End Zone; he switched places with Li Wei behind him, as Li Wei continued to step up.

This was a classic passing tactic, with the running back serving as the sixth offensive lineman to solidify the Pocket and buy more time and space for observation and passing for the quarterback.

In an instant, a storm brewed.

The Trojans' Defensive group noticeably fell back, their coverage on the Crimson Tide Storm's potential receivers growing tighter.

And it was at this instant, a fleeting moment.

As Li Wei and Hertz crossed paths, and while Hertz, observing his passing targets and offensive positioning, still had his eyes locked on a blind spot to his left, he discreetly stretched the football to his right.

Li Wei secured the football into his embrace, his feet not stopping for a moment, as he surged forward with his head down.

One step, he stomped on the ground and sprinted, lowering his center of gravity to break through forcefully.

Two steps, near the line of scrimmage, the collision of power with power, muscle with muscle, and the temperature of blood and sweat filled the tight space, grasping at Li Wei with wild desperation.

Three steps—

Bang!

The collision had arrived, oppressive like a bulldozer, leaving no space for Li Wei to adjust in the confined area.

However!

As the clashing forces on either side were about to shut him in, Li Wei leaped sideways, nimbly squeezing through the gap. His staggering steps had yet to find balance when, in the next second, he could feel multiple forces hammering from different directions.

He held his breath.

He touched down, turned, and evaded.

His actions smooth as silk, he surged through the opposing forces, his upper body once again feeling the rush of cold fresh air, while his lower body was still trapped in a pile of flesh.

Lunging forward, he fell to the ground.

Without hesitation, he executed a Thousand Pounds Drop—Li Wei firmly grasped gravity and rapidly descended, his weight tearing through the force of the tackle to reach the ground.

Then, release—

Ah!

The piercing chill of the air exploded around him like a tidal wave, and the dense walls opened up to reveal a whole new world in his field of vision.

Boom, buzz buzz buzz.

After the roar, a surge of excitement.

"Touchdown!"

"Touchdown!"

"Touch... down... (Tooooooooooooooouchdown)!"

The prolonged, resonant tail of the word set the air ablaze with excitement, and the AT&T Stadium went wild.

Tyree could clearly hear his own voice harshly striking his eardrums. This touchdown was unlike any touchdown for the Crimson Tide Storm before—

Because his Clark was a part of it.

"Roar, Crimson Tide!"

"Roar, Crimson Tide!"

The AT&T Stadium became an ocean boiling with magma.

Indeed, the Crimson Tide Storm were the defending champions, their strength naturally anticipated; while the Trojans were the underdogs, having performed poorly last season.

But in the first quarter of the game, the Crimson Tide Storm dominated the Trojans on both offense and defense with an absolute show of strength, leaving no room to breathe in the midst of a violent storm, a raw massacre and steamrolling that no one expected, epitomized by the confrontation on the one-yard line in the End Zone.

The Crimson Tide roared, filling the sky and earth.