Shelly immediately ran to Johnny Burris and threw herself around him in a hug. Jess greeted Bryce as he came through the door, and he pulled her in for a quick kiss. The other two players I didn't recognize from the Hooker House before, but I knew they were Mark and Zach, a backup linebacker and safety, respectively. Zach, in only his second-year, had made the interception in overtime that led to the winning field goal. Alix and Brittany, always the professionals, knew Zach had made a big play and immediately fawned over him in tandem.

"That's what I'm talking about," Zach said, as he put his arms around both...