"If Sam disposes of him I will make a touchdown," mused Tom, and then Sam and the fullback came together. Sam went down in a heap at the first impact, and the fullback—who was Henry Everett—came on, scarcely hindered.
The next moment he tackled Tom and threw him heavily, though Tom kept possession of the ball.
"Down!" gasped Tom, as he felt the weight of his opponent. The latter arose.
"Got you; didn't I?" he asked, grinning.
"Yes," replied Tom, looking to where Sam Heller was leisurely getting to his feet. Our hero watched his enemy narrowly. Was it only a fancy, or was it true that Sam had not made half a try to throw off the interference of the fullback?
"You were easy," laughed the scrub lad. "I thought I was going to have trouble with you, Sam, but you were easy."
"Aw, my foot slipped, and I fell, or you wouldn't have gotten me," asserted Sam, but to Tom's ears, somehow, the words did not ring true.
"I believe he deliberately let Everett get me so I wouldn't have the honor of making a touchdown," thought our hero.
The players ran up to Tom.
"Good work, old man!" complimented Coach Jackson.