Moose and The Mustangs

The 'Moose' ? Well he was as 'gifted' a sports writer as has ever sat on the fifty yard line. He was one of the last who used things like pens and pencils and paper and a broad brimmed hat to reflect the sun's rays. There are some who will read this who will remember him , well , from the old golden days.
He used to write for major periodicals like the Baxter Travenol Bulletin. He covered teams like the B. T. Express which in basketball and softball ,local leagues, featured future Hall Of Famers like the clancy brothers. Al-Jim -Dennis and a few others. Too many to name ,really but he covered them all.
His stories were read where ever there were people who could read the printed the word. In efforts to spread his fame he even traveled to lands where they could not read the 'printed word' and he read his stories 'out loud' for them.
It was this same 'Moose'-who was quite a player in his 'own right', in his own day-well in his own mind anyway-who was called upon to come out of retirement and be carried to his familiar position on the fifty yard line to to write about a a 'young phenom'.
Her was in South jersey for this event. He would cover the Galloway Mustangs. The Mustangs to be a bit brutal honest had not won one single contest this year and this was their last chance.
He adjusted his five magnification Bifocals-had his Kodak Brownie camera at the ready and a small box of smelling salts at his side.
So why call upon such a living ledgend to cover this game ?
Well word round' the town was that there was this young 'phenom' on the Mustangs that was worth a 'look see'. That's football talk.
Number 47-Ethan Gambale-running back for the Mustangs-all of thirteen years old.
Word , beggining to spread that this kid could be something 'special'. He was starting to amass some serious 'yardage'-football talk-and had scored an impressive touchtown the previous week.
"Well lets see what this kid has. Lets see what all of the talk is about."
The 'Moose' had seen many, many 'gone Busts' in his 'storied career. Maybe this kid was not a 'cloud of dust' but rather just another 'gone bust'.
Moose knew the differance. He had seen and written about Jim Thorpe All American so he knew 'cloud of dust' when he saw one.
'Moose' settled into his seat.. As he did he dropped his hat. As he reached down to get it--#47 Ethan Gambale came 'streaking' around the right end and shot in for a 25 yard touchtown.
"Whoa' Moose said "whoa' "what was that"?.
Mustangs 7-other guys nothing.
BUT-- then the 'other guys' came right back down the field and 'Boom'-in a blink-seven to seven in favor of the Mustangs.
Well the Mustangs came right back-'right on back' and from the ten yard line # 47 Ethan Gambale----the Mustangs missed the extra point--football talk and so 13 to 7 Mustangs.
Well here come the 'other guys-- AGAIN. Crucial play-the 'other guys' guy looks like he is heading into the open field for yet another Touchdown
"Whoa'" Moose said-he says that a lot-"Whoa"
From out of nowhere town the 'other guy' is stoped dead in his tracks.
"No touchdown for you says # 47 Ethan Gambale. "I am very sorry to inform you that you have chosen the wrong side of the field to try for a touchdown'
Well the Mustangs got the ball right back and right back down the field the Mustangs galloped-'full tilt' galloppppp. Around the end goes a Mustang. A very fine young Mustang. He is heading for a 'twilight' as they say on football fields
"Whoa" there he said it again
Fumble -fumble --that is a play where a player carrying the ball drops it on the ground. When that happens whoever picks it up gets the ball for his team. The ball is jumping around like a Mexican jumping ball.
Who will get the Mexican jumping Ball ?
Well who else ?--# 47 Ethan Gambale..
Then the ball is handed to another young fine Mustang who races into the 'end zone.
The extra point is missed and now the score reads,on the scoreboard, Mustangs 19 -other fellows 7.
The first half is done for.
In the second half it seems ike the Mustangs are the 'best' and their awful season will end on a positive note.
They will "thump' that's football talk--the 'other guys'
"Whoa' Whoa' Whoa' says Moose.
One of the key Mustang players is injured and will not be able to play any longer this day.
All of the 'load'-football talk -will fall onto the shoulders of young Mr. 47 Ethan Gambale.

Moose reaches down for a 'cold brew'-well actually many years ago the 'cold brew' turned out to be a diet coke-but he was 'reaching down.'
The crowd stands and starts screaming and yelling things.
He looks up-there racing out ,alone, into this fine autumn night-racing long for the end zone is - ? you guessed it exactly-Mr. 47 Ethan Gambale.
Moose reaches for his Brownie. He tries to focus for a shot for the morning papers but Ethan is running too fast to focus.
Moose yells, as loud as he can , for Ethan to slow down. Ethan doesn't really hear him but looks over to see what all of the noise is about and that allows the' other guy's ' team person to tackle him just short of the 'end zone'. If Moose hadn't yelled--what would have happened.?
They do not score on that play. They do not score .
The 'other guys ' DO score and so 19 to 14 is now the score-a very close game indeed.
BUT--here come the Mustangs , Again, and take a guess who takes the ball into the end zone--go ahead take a guess. That's it you got it # 47 Ethan gambale. 26 to 14.
They score again and now the game is 'afoot' --32 to 14.
"I have seen enough' says the young Moose. "Only four minutes left."
The crowd starts to cheer for him as he gets up to leave.. As the word ' enough' falls from his mouth the 'other guy ' team scores a touchtown play-32 to 20.
"Not to worry " says Moose " put this one in the Barn". But as soon as he said 'Barn' the other guys scored again 32 to 26.
He sat down.
The 'others' got the ball again. They were standing on the ten yard line when the 'clock struck 'midnight.
Game set and match-football talk.
The Mustangs ,in jubilation city, raced out on the field, they were all slapping the back of young Mr. 47.
They were telling him what a great fantastic game he had played . Did he ever ? He did. He really did.
When Moose was interviewed on National t.v , at games end , he said and this is a direct quote
"I know a 'Cloud of Dust' when I see one. Tonight I saw one." !!!
When asked why he came out of retirement to write about this game- ? "With a huge broad brimmed smile just like his hat "Well # 47 Ethan Gambale ?
He is my grandson".
Remember that name he said
Wait untill you see his big Brother Luke
Moose was escorted to his car. He signed a few autographs on his way.
"Cloud of Dust" He said as he got in the car
"Cloud of Dust" !!!