There was an instant of confused heaving and swaying.

Then the whistle sounded and the lines straightened again.
"Second down! Seven to gain!" Steve, profiting by Miller's advice, kept his gaze fixed on the face of the opposing end who was edging out into the field.

Then the ball was in play and the Claflin end came tearing down upon him, dodged to the right and then strove to slip past him inside.

But Steve met him squarely with his shoulder and sent him sprawling.

Behind him the teams were off under a punt and he recovered himself and raced along.