" Our Boys" A Local Dynasty

I have read some great reads, "Bleachers " By John Grisham is my favorite book by far, but Joe Drape's take on Smith Center's high school football team really got to me. First off, I know a few of the boys personally in that book and the girlfriends of the boys. Smith Center, KS is a good hour from my house growing up and I remember SC always dominating in most sports anyways, specifically football so it was really cool to read a book about them. Second off, it was such a compelling story and made me really appreciate Kansas, especially small town, country Kansas. I'm really excited to meet and talk to Joe Drape now and just get to know more about what he experienced in SC.

What Barta did in SC with stay with that town and those boys and the families involved forever. SC was a dying community and that team gave everyone hope and a reason to get excited for a normally typical Friday night of football, but Barta and the Redmen turned it into something much bigger than just football itself. Who knew a football team could give one little town a second chance at life?!

I loved that Joe actually lived in SC when writing this. I think that made the story that much more meaningful, that he got to see everything first-hand and experience the thrills with the town. I also like that Barta made sure that the boys knew football was a privilage and that school and family always came first. He taught the boys more than just some plays to be ran on the field, he taught them life lessons and that there is more to life than a simple game. I think lots of people nowadays have lost that. People make such a big deal about sports and it was so nice to read that it's still just a game to some people.This story does remind me of Friday Night Lights, just Kansas style.

I knew that they had lost the game, after winning so many, but I was still sad for them when it happened. It's like any good book or movie, you always want the good guys to come through and win, but that's life, sometimes you don't win every single game.