The Smith Center Redmen
If you’ve never head of the Smith Center Redmen, after reading “Our Boys,” you will never forget this remarkable story of a small town and their high school football program.
Author Joe Drape takes us on an epic journey of the Smith Center Redmen’s 2008 season. The varisty team is on an unprecedented 4 year undefeated streak outscoring its opponents 704-0 and is on its quest for a 5th consecutive Kansas 2A title.
Coach Barta is Smith Center’s legendary coach who put a town of less than 2,000 people on the map. Barta’s mantra is simple, “strive to get a little bit better everyday.” His championship teams run the same basic plays coined as the Barta-Bone. He teaches the players how to work as a team and to respect each other. He will trade flash for execution.
This book highlights how the community supports and surrounds the team as they embark on this unprecedented run filled with questions and doubts.
My only critique is Drape missed an opportunity to discuss the history of Smith Center and some of the NFLers who hailed from Smith Center, Kansas (i.e., Mark Simoneau and Steve Tasker). Other then that, Drape has written a page turner that will keep you yearning for more.
