Out By Five

High school senior Sly Jones is a dreamer and a standout football player who has always believed the field was his ticket to something greater. But when his top-ranked team suffers a brutal and unexpected defeat, Sly is forced to confront the uncomfortable truth: talent and hustle don’t always guarantee a win—on the field or in life.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Richmond, Virginia, Out By Five: The Freshman Chronicles is a coming-of-age novel that follows Sly’s journey through ambition, heartbreak, and self-discovery. With pressure mounting from family, coaches, and peers, Sly must navigate what it means to chase his football dreams while reckoning with college admissions, social expectations, and the impact of loss and legacy in his community.

As his plans unravel and reality sets in, Sly finds new purpose in unexpected places—through guidance counselors who see past the bravado, through friendships that offer hard truths, and through a deeper understanding of what it means to “win” in life. Whether he’s hyping up his team at a pep rally, staring down rivals under the Friday night lights, or contemplating his future at a historically Black university, Sly’s voice remains raw, funny, and deeply real.

Out By Five is a heartfelt, sharp, and relatable chronicle of growing up Black and ambitious in the South, learning when to pivot, and discovering that success isn’t always about scoring touchdowns—it’s about finding your purpose when the clock runs out.