Football

Football is the greatest sport,
Stout of heart and firm of soul-
The men who play; the toughest sort,
They push ahead to score the goal.

One hundred yards define the field,
Ten yards to keep the ball once more,
The defense makes the offense yield-
So they can have the ball and score.

A key man is the quarterback,
Strategic play for offense found,
Now execute; avoid the sack,
Advance the ball and gain some ground.

The running backs; receivers know,
From quarterback the ball is giv’n,
By handoff or each pass he’ll throw,
And up the field the ball is driv’n.

The defense tries to stop this drive,
Defensive backs; the line holds firm,
On turnovers defenses thrive,
Each one achieved makes offense squirm.

The game is on; players alert,
One hour of toil; an awful grind,
To play in rain on sod or dirt,
Each player hopes the strength they’ll find.

Through pass and run the ball advanced,
Each ten yards gained they move the sticks-
Toward the end zone your chance enhanced,
To make a touchdown; score is six.

For extra point the kicker’s job,
To have the ball placed in his sights,
Now kick the ball with upward lob,
And place it ‘tween the two uprights.

If offense chance of goal might die,
It’s fourth down now, the ball is set-
To kick the ball; a field goal try,
And three more points the team will get.

One team will win and one must fail,
With final outcome and the score,
And if the home team does prevail,
The fans approve with cheers that roar!

Peter Lowell Paulson
September 24, 2012