Second Stringer by Thomas J. Dygard, talks about a kid named Kevin Taylor. He was always the second best at what he does and was okay with it at first. Warren High is always historical in high school football and they have a star Quarterback named Rob Montgomery. Late in the first game he hurt his knee, forcing Kevin to take over. Dygard, uses this situation to show friendship and no matter how tough the situation you can only practice and improve.
The very first game when Kevin was the first string QB, Dygard portrays him very nervous and not confident at all. Showing these emotions can destroy a team’s confidence and morale. Kevin had many doubters on the team already including the cocky, Mike Thurman. Mike Thurman was the target receiver and when he does not get the ball he is not happy. Fortunately, Kevin threw Mike a touchdown boosting Kevin’s and the team’s confidence. Kevin also does not take advice from the injured star quarter back, Rob. Rob tells Kevin to do a couple of fakes. For example, pump fakes, always moving your eyes, and finesse moves to avoid tacklers. Regrettably, Kevin did not listen and though he did not need anyone else’s help. It turns out Kevin needed all the tips Rob gave him because the next drive down, Kevin threw an interception.
Later on in the season Kevin starts having confidence in himself and becomes a leader of the team. Kevin starts to listen to Rob and goes over to his house twice or three times a week to work on his footwork, passing, and pump fakes. Kevin understood that he needed to practice to take this team to state. Dygard really shows the theme during the middle of the book to show who Kevin Taylor really is and how practice really makes a difference.
Beginning of the end of Second Stringer. The reader finds out the Rob is off crutches and is ready to play. The Coaches rule for Warren High football is, “If you get hurt and you are the first string you get your spot back when you are healthy no matter what.” (Dygard 137). Fortunately for Kevin, Rob is not 100% and Kevin is still the starter. The game following this incident, Kevin played the best football he has ever played. He even scored the game winning touchdown!
At the end of the book, Kevin is still starting over Rob despite the coach’s rule. Rob is very upset but gets over it by putting the team first and being happy for Kevin. Dygard, uses the power of friendship to overcome selflessness. Warren is playing in the state football game, with Kevin as the starting QB. At the beginning Kevin was only a second string now he could possibly win state as a starting QB. Luckily they do win state because of Kevin’s tenacious and determination attitude.
I highly recommend this book because it gives great examples of friendship, dedication, and shows the reader that anything is possible.