Football Genius

Chapter 2 begins with a backstory explaining why Troy is sneaking into the Cotton Wood compound in the first place. Troy is attempting to steal an official Atlanta Falcons football from the home of Falcons star linebacker, Seth Halloway. Troy has been inside the compound before and knows that Seth stores official footballs in a mesh bag under the porch in his backyard.

Troy wants one of these balls because he lied to another boy on his junior football team—Jamie Renfro, son of their head coach, Coach Renfro. Jamie is the starting quarterback, and Troy is his backup. Tate and Nathan believe that Troy is a better quarterback, as he can both throw the ball farther and more accurately and also has an uncanny ability to predict the opposing team’s plays before they happen. Coach Renfro rarely even gives Troy a chance to practice, however, showing his son preferential treatment.

While comparing Troy’s mother, Tessa, to Jamie’s father during an argument, Troy told Jamie that his mother could acquire the Tigers an official Falcons football any time she liked. Troy lied, saying that his mother works for the Atlanta Falcons. While Troy’s mother was interviewed for a job with the Falcons, she hasn’t been offered a job yet. Jamie challenges Troy to get an official Falcons ball in time for the Tigers’ next game the following Saturday.

Troy sneaks his way through the compound and grabs one of the balls off the lawn. He tumbles down an embankment and onto the street in his rush. A patrolling security truck spots Troy and begins chasing him. Eventually, Troy jumps over a low hedge and hides under some bushes. The security guard searches the bushes with his flashlight until the light beam lands on Troy. 

Somehow, the security guard doesn’t see Troy. Once the guard leaves, Troy brushes himself off and makes his way back to the hole in the wall. Once through the hole, Troy hands the ball to Tate, reminding her that Jamie is always pulling at her ponytail in practice. Tate refuses to take the ball, and Nathan seems embarrassed by what they have done. The friends part ways.

When Troy gets home, he sees his reflection in the mirror. He is covered in cuts and scrapes too extensive to hide from his mom. Like his football gift that just comes to him, so does the realization that he must lie to cover himself. 

The next morning, Troy wakes up to his alarm clock, hides the stolen football in his equipment bag, and goes to the railroad track. When he finally smells his mom cooking breakfast, he returns home. Troy tells her he got his scratches from chasing a garter snake through the bushes for science class.

When Troy arrives at the game later that day, Jamie scoffs at the ball, saying the ball is too big and cannot be used for their youth league game. Troy spirals into a series of dark thoughts. He wishes he could be heading out to the huddle and that he had a dad who coaches his team.

As the game unfolds, Troy predicts what the opposing team is about to do. He fights his urge to tell the grumpy Coach Renfro about his gift. After the game, Troy is sad but decides not to bring up either his gift or the subject of not having a dad to his mom as they leave. Troy knows his mom doesn’t like to talk about his dad.

On their way home, they stop by an old man selling boiled peanuts on the side of the road. Troy is disgusted and looks down on the poor old man, but Troy’s mom pays the man two dollars for the mushy peanuts. The old man compliments her and thanks her for her kindness. As they get home, the phone rings. They find out Troy’s mom got the job with the Atlanta Falcons.