When the coach's son, Shawn O'Brien, is chosen to play quarterback, eleven-year-old Ben McBain is not surprised--but when he tries to be a good teammate and help the inconsistent Shawn, he is startled to learn that his new friend does not really want the position.

"Teddy has been training all summer with his new friends Jack and Gus to make the new travel football team in Walton, but when his long-absent dad comes back to town and into his life he is faced with a much bigger challenge"--Provided by publisher.

"Tommy Gallagher plays monster back for the Brighton Bears defense--and he's every quarterback's worst nightmare. A fierce competitor, Tommy's the toughest--and bravest--guy on the field. After all, he learned the game from his dad, a Boston firefighter who tackles each fire with a simple mantra: first man in, last man out. But his father never said anything about being carried out. Even Tommy isn't strong enough for what happens when the sirens sound...