I revived the Demonic Sect in North America

Chapter 173 Halftime Mobilization!

The referee blew his whistle at halftime.

"The first half is over! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to halftime!"

Commentator Kevin Harper's voice attempted to dispel the oppressive atmosphere that permeated the entire arena.

Here's a summary of this unexpectedly dramatic first half: "An unbelievable 45 minutes! The River Valley Academy Knights, playing away against almost everyone's odds, relied on their rising star, Li Ang, in a godlike individual performance! A touchdown return from the inbounds pass, an incredible individual rushing touchdown from fourth down, and a stunning defensive steal and return touchdown—he single-handedly built a 14-point lead!"

"As for the Trinity Falcons, the state powerhouse widely favored before the game, their offense completely failed against the steely defense of Leon and River Valley, while their defense was riddled with holes and was breached by one player!"

"What adjustments will the Falcons make in the second half? Will they stage a comeback or continue their decline? And will River Valley Academy, holding a significant advantage, continue their relentless attack to extend their lead, or will they adopt a more conservative approach, control the tempo, and secure the victory?"

"The answer will be revealed in fifteen minutes!"

On the deep red stands, the murmurs were noisy and low, like the whimpers of a group of wounded wild beasts.

People going to the restroom and buying snacks seemed listless and dragged their feet.

"A difference of two touchdowns—still on our home turf—"

"Where did that monster number 21 come from? He's the one on both offense and defense? What's Sean doing?"

"Damn it, even defensive stalwart O'Connor couldn't stop him more than a few times today—I wanted to smash the TV watching this game."

"There's still a second half! Don't give up! We still have time!"

"Time? Look at the eyes of those kids on the sidelines—their momentum has completely shifted to the other side."

Eve Miller and her best friend Sarah moved slowly with the disheartened crowd.

Sarah looked annoyed and kept banging her drink cup on the railing.

"Sean was practically sleepwalking today! And that O'Connor, he was all hyped up before the game, how come he couldn't even keep an eye on a rookie?"

Eve, however, seemed somewhat distracted.

Her gaze kept drifting involuntarily toward the away team's tunnel, her heart still pounding.

I felt a surge of pride, like a tiny electric current, for Li Ang's incredible performance in the first half.

At the same time, watching him get knocked down and get up again and again, watching him run at high intensity on both offense and defense, a clear and sharp worry couldn't help but creep into my heart.

Is he too tired? Is he going to get hurt?

The Cavaliers' visiting locker room.

It was completely different from the oppressive red ocean outside.

A fervent, hopeful excitement filled the locker room of River Valley Academy.

The salty smell of sweat, the minty herbal scent of muscle massage cream, and the burning hormones unique to young people all blended together.

The Duke coach clapped his hands vigorously.

The wrinkles on his bronze face smoothed out.

His long coaching career instilled a sense of vigilance, which quickly suppressed the smile on his lips.

Forcing himself to put on a stern face, he shouted in a loud voice, "Well done! Kids! You fucking did a fantastic job! But you still need to listen! Calm down! Shut your mouths that are practically sticking out to your ears!"

"The game is only halfway through! Remember, only halfway through! A 14-point lead means nothing on the football field! One mistake, two mistakes, and the opponent can close the gap in an instant!"

"The Falcons aren't some fucking elementary school team, they're Trinity College! They'll come back in the second half, they'll be like wounded beasts, they'll use every dirty trick in the book! We need to be prepared for a hellish baptism!"

Then, the Duke coach walked up to Li Ang alone.

Li Ang sat on a bench, leaning against a locker, quietly sipping his sports drink.

His soaked hair clung to his forehead, and glistening beads of sweat slid down his defined jawline and landed on the floor.

But his breathing had become steady, and his chest rose and fell rhythmically.

When those dark eyes looked up at the coach, they remained clear and calm.

It was as if that dominant performance just now was merely a warm-up.

Coach Duke crouched down, his gaze level with his, with an unprecedented solemnity and a hint of barely perceptible worry.

"Leon, the Falcons will definitely do everything they can to target you in the second half. I know their coach Winston, he's a shameless old bastard."

"Their defensive anchor, O'Connor, will likely stick to you like a shadow the entire game. Their tackles and tackles will escalate, and there might even be some excessive moves. You—"

He meant to tell you that you must be careful and take care to protect yourself.

You must decisively give up possession of the ball when it's time to relinquish it.

But when you think of the miracles that this boy created time and time again, defying all conventions.

The words that were about to come out took a different turn and turned into a firm grip.

"—Stay alert, and defeat them here."

He tapped his temple with his finger.

Feeling the strength and warmth on his shoulder, Li Ang nodded, his voice calm and even.

"I understand, Coach. The more anxious and forceful they are, the bigger the opening will be. I will find it."

"Haha! Well said!"

Bruce approached, his face flushed with excitement.

"Dude, did you see Sean McCarthy smash his helmet like that? Ha! His face turned green with rage! That was fucking satisfying! Let's keep it up in the second half, crush them! Give that bastard a few more whacks for me!"

Li Ang gave him a faint smile.

"Take good care of your shoulder, Bruce. Leave the on-court stuff to the brothers."

His gaze swept over every face in the locker room, whether excited or tired, but all filled with trust.

On the other side, Jack Davis quietly adjusted his knee pads and gloves, his movements meticulous.

He occasionally glanced up, his gaze passing through the noisy crowd and landing on Li Ang, who was subtly surrounded by the crowd in the center, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

There is admiration, relief, and perhaps a subtle sense of loss after being surpassed.

In the end, he said nothing, but simply tightened the glove on his right hand, his knuckles turning white from gripping it so tightly.

The atmosphere in the Falcons' home locker room was terrifyingly low, almost suffocating.

The expensive, glossy, deep red lockers reflected the players' faces—some ashen, some bewildered, some angry.

Coach Harrison Winston, a former NFL star linebacker known for his tough stance and tactics.

His face was like a stone mask, completely expressionless.

But when his sharp, hawk-like grey-blue eyes slowly swept over each player in the locker room.

The invisible pressure it brings is more chilling than any hysterical roar.

He didn't look at Sean McCarthy, who was sitting in the corner with his head down, covering his face tightly with a towel.

They didn't even see star running back Tyreke pacing back and forth restlessly like a caged beast.

Instead, he turned his gaze to Liam O'Connor, who sat silently in his seat.

"Liam!"

Coach Winston's calm voice, with its cold, metallic quality, broke the deathly silence in the locker room: "You're always very calm. Tell me, where is the problem that the Falcons are currently behind?"

O'Connor raised her gray eyes, which held no panic, only cold analysis and a burning flame.

He succinctly stated, "It's their all-around core player, number 21, Li Ang. We can't contain him at all, whether on offense or defense. He's the only variable on the court who can dominate the game."

Could you provide a more detailed analysis?

"On offense, his acceleration, ability to change direction instantly, and balance exceeded our highest pre-game assessment. Conventional one-on-one defense was ineffective; he was too agile. On defense..."

O'Connor paused, seemingly considering his words, before finally choosing the most direct statement: "—His strength is beyond what one would expect from someone his size. More importantly, his anticipation and defensive positioning are unlike anything a high school student would do, not even comparable to some college players. It's obvious that he reads Shawn very easily, and understands our tactical intentions."

Coach Winston nodded almost imperceptibly, his gaze shifting to another star player in the corner.

Sean.

Sean McCarthy abruptly ripped the towel off his head and looked up.

His icy blue eyes were bloodshot.

The previous arrogance and ostentation were replaced by a kind of humiliating ferocity.

His chest heaved violently.

"Coach, give me another chance! I'll tear him to pieces! That Chinese kid, he's nothing but—"

"Calm down, McCarthy!"

Coach Winston's low shout, like a whip lashing through the air, interrupted Sean's almost out-of-control growl.

"Look at you! Your emotions, your pride, have blinded you and slowed you down! In the second half, I want you to forget about Sean McCarthy against Leon! I want you to do only one thing: execute the tactics! Execute like a machine!"

He stopped looking at Sean, strode to the tactics board, picked up a marker, and forcefully drew several thick arrows and circles.

The red ink was shocking.

"Listen up, everyone! In the second half, we're going to make changes, simple changes!"

His voice echoed in the closed locker room.

"Defensive team, matchup adjustments. Liam," Coach Winston slammed his pen down on the number 21 representing Li Ang, then looked at O'Connor.

"I want you to personally guard him the entire game, non-stop. Whether he's quarterback, running back, wide receiver, or fucking wants to be a kicker! I want you to be his shadow, stuck to him like chewing gum!"

"If necessary, call for backup, even a preemptive foul, a tactical foul, understand? Do everything you can to prevent him from easily receiving the ball, to prevent him from starting! Don't give him any time to think after touching the ball!"

O'Connor's gray pupils suddenly contracted.

He nodded heavily, squeezing out a single word from deep in his throat.

"yes.

The sharp light in his eyes was almost tangible.

"Attack team, simplify tactics. Forget those complicated cross-court maneuvers and screen passes! Let's play the simplest and most direct tactics!"

That would render that Chinese-American kid's ability to read tactics useless.

Winston's pen repeatedly smeared across the area representing the center.

"Use our size and strength advantage to attack their middle! Overwhelm them with pure power! Sean, after you receive the ball, don't look for that number 21! Make a quick decision: either the running back passes the ball, or you run it yourself!"

"Running backs, lower your heads and use your shoulders and helmets to smash through anything that gets in your way! And you, forwards!"

He turned around abruptly, his gaze sweeping over the several burly offensive forwards.

"If you want to be known as the Falcon Wall and not just a flimsy paper fence, then show me the courage and strength you had when you swore your oath! Send those arrogant brats from the valley straight back to their hometowns! Do you hear me?!"

"Yes, Coach!"

The Falcons' response was a bit stronger than at the end of the first half, but a lack of confidence and a hint of bewilderment could still be heard.

"Remember who you are!"

Coach Winston surveyed the entire court one last time, his voice suddenly rising like the howl of a wounded alpha wolf: "This is the Falcon's Nest! We are Trinity! For the past five years, no one has come out unscathed from here! And today is no different! No one has ever left our turf with a victory and a jeer after humiliating us! In the second half, pick up your pride! Ignite your fury! And then, all of it! Smash it all on the court! Tear them apart!"

Tear them apart!!!

The team members finally let out a fierce and unified roar.

Fists slammed against the lockers, making a loud thud.

The second half begins.

The referee's whistle blew sharply, piercing the slightly dull and tense atmosphere in the stadium.

After halftime adjustments, the Falcons fans in the crimson stands seemed to have regained some morale.

"Defense! Defense!"

The fans' chants rang out again, trying to energize the Trinity College team.

But if you listen carefully, you can still tell that there is a hint of bluffing anxiety in the voice.

It lacked the confidence and arrogance it displayed at the beginning.

"Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen! This is Falcon Stadium, and the second half is about to begin! The River Valley Academy Knights, who had a great first half, will be on the attack!"

Commentator Kevin Harper's voice was full of anticipation.

"After the emergency adjustments at halftime, what strategies will the Falcons employ to limit Li Ang? And with a massive 14-point lead, will River Valley Academy press their advantage and extend their lead, or will they shift to controlling the tempo and securing a comfortable victory?"

River Valley Academy's offensive team enters the game.

Li Ang stood at the position of the shotgun, his gaze steadily sweeping over the opponent's defensive formation.

He immediately sensed the difference.

The Falcons' defensive formation has undergone a clear and highly targeted change.

Star linebacker Liam O'Connor did not stand in his usual defensive zone.

Instead, it was moved directly to the vicinity of the kickoff line, almost level with the outermost end of the defensive line.

His cold, gray eyes were like those of a cold-blooded reptile locking onto its prey.

Seven yards away from both teams' forwards, they were glued to Li Ang, not blinking an eye.

At the same time, the defensive positions on the weak side are also clearly tilted towards Li Ang's side.

This has created a potential situation of coordinated defense and pincer attack.

Commentator Kevin Harper immediately analyzed, "Look! The Falcons have made an amazing defensive adjustment! O'Connor has moved up to the lane, directly matching up against Leon!"

"This is... something like a one-on-four zone defense in basketball? They're willing to reduce their coverage of other receivers to lock down River Valley Academy's most dangerous weapon tonight, Li Ang!"