COLEMAN, K.R. The Late Hit . 128p. ISBN 9781512439823 . HOBLIN, Paul . False Start . 128p. ISBN 9781512439793 . KREIE, Chris . The Extra Point . 112p. ISBN 9781512439816 . ea vol: (Gridiron). ebook available. Darby Creek Sept. 2017. Tr $26.65. pap. $7.99 Gr 6 Up The "Gridiron" series follows the different stories of high school players united by their love of football. In Showdown , Toby and Walter are rookies on their varsity team, but must lead their team to victory after a prank war with a rival school takes out their best players. Busby and Anton are determined to win the big game to keep their economically depressed school open in The Late Hit . When Anton gets injured and has a severe concussion, Busby must decide what is more important: winning the playoffs or his friend's health. Jeff and Scooter narrate alternating chapters in Late Start , showing their differing perspectives on Scooter earning the football scholarship Jeff thought was his. When she loses a spot on the soccer team, Riley decides to try out for the kicking position on her school's all-male football team in The Extra Point . To be successful, she must overcome a player who doubts her abilities as a girl and her own lack of confidence. VERDICT With action-packed sequences on the field and riveting plots off of it dealing with timely topics, such as sports injuries and sexism, this series will appeal to hi-lo readers on a fourth grade reading level.